Outlet Element In One Wall, Rod Actuator Through Container Interior And Another Wall Patents (Class 222/510)
  • Patent number: 11932475
    Abstract: A food dispenser for use by manual-dexterity challenged people is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a hollow cylindrical base, a container for containing a plurality of select food items, a cylindrical cap disposed through a hollow cylindrical collar mounted atop the container and joined thereto by interfitting surface portions. The dispenser includes a piston and a compression spring disposed in an interior region of the base and abutting a portion of the base and the piston for biasing the piston and base apart and for maintaining a predetermined spacing therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: The Goodie Jar, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Canada
  • Patent number: 11779894
    Abstract: Some variations provide a system for producing a functionalized powder, comprising: an agitated pressure vessel; first particles and second particles contained within the agitated pressure vessel; a fluid contained within the agitated pressure vessel; an exhaust line for releasing the fluid from the agitated pressure vessel; and a means for recovering a functionalized powder containing the second particles disposed onto surfaces of the first particles. A preferred fluid is carbon dioxide in liquefied or supercritical form. The carbon dioxide may be initially loaded into the pressure vessel as solid carbon dioxide. The pressure vessel may be batch or continuous and is operated under reaction conditions to functionalize the first particles with the second particles, thereby producing a functionalized powder, such as nanofunctionalized metal particles in which nanoparticles act as grain refiners for a component ultimately produced from the nanofunctionalized metal particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Martin, Brennan D. Yahata, Robert Mone
  • Patent number: 11771116
    Abstract: A popcorn extruder includes a feeder, a popping chamber, a heating device, an unloading device, and a discharge tube. The chamber is a vertical cylindrical barrel. Said heating device and said unloading device are installed on top of the barrel and at the bottom of the barrel, respectively. Said feeder has a discharge end connected with the upper-end side wall of the chamber. Said discharge tube has one end installed at the upper-end side wall of the chamber. Said unloading device has a conical structure. Said conical structure is located in the chamber, and said conical structure has the tapered end facing up. Said heating device includes a fan, an air duct and a heater installed in the air duct; said fan is connected with one end of the air duct; and said air duct has the other end inserted in the chamber and is adjacent to the conical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: XIA MEN XIN FENG DA MACHINERY AND TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Guanjie Huang, Jianchun Zou
  • Patent number: 11713825
    Abstract: A fitting assembly includes a fitting body and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a hollow pedestal, an actuator shaft, and a sealing member. The hollow pedestal includes upper and lower ends. The hollow pedestal is disposed in a valve opening defined by the fitting body such that the upper end is disposed in a passageway defined by the fitting body and the lower end is external to the passageway. The actuator shaft is disposed in the hollow pedestal and is movably coupled with the hollow pedestal. The sealing member is coupled with the actuator shaft adjacent the upper end and at least partially movable together with the actuator shaft. The sealing member is configured to selectively interface with an upper valve body to provide a seal therebetween. The fitting body and the hollow pedestal are formed of a multi-piece construction and are joined together at the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Douglas Arthur Newberg
  • Patent number: 11578810
    Abstract: A valve control is configured for use with control valves and other flow controls. The valve control leverages a simplified structure to avoid problems with manufacture and reduce costs. This structure includes a support unit that compresses parts of a valve housing together. Inside of the valve housing, the structure incorporates diaphragms that cause a pair of balanced valves to move in response to changes in pressure of fluid in a conduit. For industrial application, the valve control finds use to maintain pressure of natural gas in pipelines downstream from a control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Dresser, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Louis Johanning, Kyle McKinley Bryan, Gheorghe Dodan, Mark David Kaczmarek, James Alex Markert, Abdul Raoof Mohamed, Jayesh K Shah, Orie Woodman Van Doran, Jonathan Clyde Whitten
  • Patent number: 11555322
    Abstract: A pool chemical injector includes a chamber to hold a volume of a chemical therein, the chamber having a body with a tapered end; an opening to allow for insertion of the chemical into the chamber; an elongated tube to attach to the tapered end of the body; a valve engaged with the tube and to open and close chemical flow through the elongated tube; and an attachment to secure to an end of the elongated tube through which the chemical flows; the elongated tube and attachment deliver the chemical to a floor of the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Steven M. Curtice
  • Patent number: 11523669
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a composition includes a holding device for holding first and second capsules including first and second deformable compartments, respectively, which contain a first formulation and a second formulation, respectively; a first compression element including a first compression surface designed to apply a pressure to the first deformable compartment of the first capsule; and a second compression element including a second compression surface designed to apply a pressure to the second deformable compartment of the second capsule. The first compression surface is designed to conduct and guide the contents of the first capsule to a first passage in the first capsule that can be fluidically connected to the first deformable compartment and the second compression surface is designed to conduct and guide the contents of the second capsule to a second passage in the second capsule that can be fluidically connected to the second deformable compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Bachellier, Olivier Le Grand
  • Patent number: 11511936
    Abstract: A tank for bulk material storage and transport and method for producing same. In an embodiment, a tank is provided that includes a shell having a sidewall, a neck including a first collar, and a tube terminating in a second collar. A frustoconical cap may be secured to the first collar. A substantially conical cap may be secured to the second collar. A liner may be applied to the shell so that the liner substantially covers an interior surface of the sidewall, an interior surface of the neck, at least a portion of the first collar, an interior surface of the tube, and at least a portion of the second collar. Annular thickened segments may be trimmed to prepare the tank for use. The annular thickened segments may be located at an interior joint between the frustoconical cap and the first collar, and/or an interior joint between the substantially conical cap and the second collar. The trimming step may form first and second sealing surfaces of the liner adjacent respectively to the first and second collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TANK HOLDING CORP.
    Inventors: Darrell A. Oltman, Larry D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9808948
    Abstract: A food chopper includes a housing and a chopping blade assembly disposed therein. The chopping blade assembly is held and guided in a guide of the housing so as to be movable to-and-fro along an operating direction counter to a force of a return spring in such a manner that the chopping blade assembly, during movement along the operating direction, is forcibly rotated and held in the upper rest position by the return spring and, in order to chop the food, is movable from the upper rest position downward against a counter-bearing face. A scraper element is rotationally driven by rotational movement of the chopping blade assembly and has a scraper edge having an elastic lip which is configured, during the rotational movement of the scraper element, to bear on an inner side of a side wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: LEIFHEIT AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Juergen Fischer, Markus Klotz
  • Patent number: 9474262
    Abstract: A trolling teaser including a tubular hull having at least one substantially planar end face. The planar end face is an external face of the hull that is directly impinged upon by water as the teaser is trolled through the water. The tubular hull has a circumference defined by a wall. A plurality of channels is formed in the wall of the tubular hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Clay S. Barker
  • Patent number: 9282726
    Abstract: A bird feeder comprising a feed container having a side wall and a plurality of feed openings therein, a shroud extending about the feed container, the shroud having feed openings therein, the feed openings being spaced from the top of the shroud by a distance equal to between 20% and 80% of the total height thereof, a cover, a base, a center tube and a center rod within the center tube, the center rod being secured to the base and the shroud resting on the base, a spring mounted about the center rod, the arrangement being such that the feed openings in the shroud and the feed openings in the side wall are either aligned or misaligned depending on the weight on the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Brome Bird Care Inc.
    Inventor: Paul L. Cote
  • Publication number: 20150102054
    Abstract: A fuel container includes a container, a spout, an outlet valve, an air intake valve, and an actuator. The spout is coupled to the container at a bottom end portion of the container. The outlet valve is positioned at the bottom end portion and operable to control fluid flow into the spout. The air intake valve is positioned at a top end portion of the container. The actuator is operable to open both the outlet valve and the air intake valve concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Brad C. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 8910835
    Abstract: A fuel container includes a container, a spout, an outlet valve, an air intake valve, and an actuator. The spout is coupled to the container at a bottom end portion of the container. The outlet valve is positioned at the bottom end portion and operable to control fluid flow into the spout. The air intake valve is positioned at a top end portion of the container. The actuator is operable to open both the outlet valve and the air intake valve concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Brad C. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 8794474
    Abstract: A reusable concentrate cartridge adapted to be supported by a diluting and dispensing container for combining at least two separate components of a multi-component system, the concentrate cartridge having a hollow cylindrical element and a hollow tube with a closure portion. The concentrate cartridge is caused to open by the rotating engagement of a closure cap onto the diluting and dispensing container to which causes the closure portion of the hollow tube to disengage, releasing the concentrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: iDispense, LLC
    Inventors: Edward L. Mueller, Douglas F. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8231030
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser has a container for beverage fluid that has a flat bottom that is above a space large enough to place a glass or cup. The container has a sidewall and a top edge of an open container that has a removable lid. A pair of actuator guards are on either side of a space near but below the top edge of the container where an actuator is located that projects through a notch in the top edge, plunging downwardly inside the inner wall of the container sidewall and jutting straight out to form a fork. This fork selectively holds a plunger that has a long shaft and plug that fits into a hole in the bottom wall of the container. This hole and plug form a valve. The valve can be opened when the actuator is depressed between the actuator guards towards the container's sidewall, which pivots the fork upwardly which in turn lifts the plunger and plug to open the valve for dispensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Zbigniew G. Lassota
  • Patent number: 8141751
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device, for substances in powder- or paste form, includes a supply container and a dosage-dispensing head that is connected or connectable to the supply container. A housing has an outlet orifice of circular cross-section and a delivery- and closure element with a closure portion serving to close off the outlet orifice. The device further has a conveying tool with at least one conveying element that serves to direct the substance to the outlet orifice, wherein the outlet orifice and the delivery- and closure element are arranged on the central lengthwise axis of the dosage-dispensing head. The conveying tool is rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and the at least one conveying element is designed to move on a circular path about the central lengthwise axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Paul Luechinger, Siegfried Zeiss, Sandra Ehrbar
  • Patent number: 7854028
    Abstract: A disposable toilet seat cover apparatus is for use on the existing seat of a toilet. The apparatus is provided in a textured biodegradable water soluble material and resists slippage on the seat. A pull tab provides for the gas chamber within the valve assembly of the initially compactly folded apparatus to release a compressed gas to fill the seat cover/cushion. After use, the apparatus' biodegradable makeup provides for either discarding in a trash bin or for deposit into the bowl water, where the apparatus quickly deflates and dissolves. Any of the apparatus not immediately dissolved in the bowl water is easily flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Barbara A. Williams
  • Patent number: 7762434
    Abstract: such as fluids and liquids, includes a material containment vessel with an upper region incorporating a motive force and a bottom region with a material ingress and egress opening. A diconical or other shaped force transfer device is located in the material containment area. The force transfer device is an energy transducer when the material containment is filled with highly viscous materials, such as adhesives, sealants, mastics or lubricating greases. The force transfer device serves as an integral part of a level indicator for both viscous fluids and lower viscosity liquids. The viscous material itself forms a seal between the interface region of the force transfer device and the inside wall of the fluid vessel. Vertical stabilizing elements may extend outward from the force transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: CH&I Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Thibodeau, Eric A. Williams
  • Patent number: 7617955
    Abstract: A dispensing module for dispensing liquid includes a dispensing body having an inlet, a discharge outlet, and a flow channel therebetween having a valve seat. A needle having a valve element is mounted to the body and reciprocates therein between an open position, in which the valve element is disengaged from the valve seat thereby allowing liquid flow, and a closed position, in which the valve element is engaged with the valve seat thereby preventing liquid flow. A needle guide is mounted to the dispenser body and includes a passage for receiving a portion of the needle. A flexible seal includes a first end coupled to the needle guide and a second end coupled to the needle and moving therewith. An actuator is operatively coupled to the needle and moves the needle between the open and closed positions. The seal includes a central portion with an interior cavity that stretches and compresses as the needle reciprocates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Riney
  • Publication number: 20090255956
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser (10) with a dispenser body (12) having a flat bottom (20) supported above a base (14) and an upwardly facing open top (22) with a mating, generally horizontal, removable, flat, top closure (24) closing the open top (22). Beverage within the body (12) is dispensed through a drain pipe (36) during actuation of a manually operable, drain valve actuator (38) mounted to a front wall (26) at a location adjacent the top (22). A pair of actuator guards (40, 42), located on either side of the actuator 38, protects the actuator (38) against inadvertent actuation and provides lateral guidance for relative pivotal movement of the actuator (38). When the actuator (38) is pivoted inwardly to an actuated open position (FIG. 1), a plug (68) attached to one end of a relatively narrow, elongate, cylindrical handle (70) is moved upwardly to created a drainage gap (74) between the sides of the plug (68) and an interior surface of a valve opening (64) of the drain pipe (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Zbigniew G. Lassota
  • Publication number: 20090078334
    Abstract: A dosage-dispensing unit serving to store and dispense pulverous or granular dosage material has a housing which includes at least one receptacle space for dosage material and an outlet orifice connected to the receptacle space. The dosage-dispensing unit further includes at least one electrostatic coagulant means which affects the build-up and/or the break-down of a closure plug consisting of dosage material and/or of an aperture shutter consisting of dosage material in the outlet orifice. The closing or narrowing of the outlet orifice thus occurs as a result of the electrostatic attraction and coagulation of dosage material leading to at least partial obstruction of the outlet orifice with the dosage material by the build-up of a closure plug or an aperture shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Bruno Nufer
  • Publication number: 20080264980
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a container having a valved discharge outlet, the valve being actuable remotely by a screw cap of the container, which carries the valve stem. The valve stem is guided in usage during its linear travel between open and closed modes, the guidance being provided in the region of the discharge outlet by an apertured centre boss of a discharge grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Sylvain L'Ecuyer
  • Publication number: 20080142115
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling beverage flow includes a dispensing tube having a distal end. The apparatus also includes a ball plug configured for linear reciprocal motion between a first position and a second position so that the ball plug abuts the distal end of the dispensing tube in the first position and is separated from the distal end of the dispensing tube in the second position. A flow rate controller for compensation of flow in a fluid dispensing system includes a body portion and a first set of flow restricting nodes and a second set of flow restricting nodes formed in the body portion. The controller also includes a first channel formed in the body portion and configured to receive and partially surround a portion of a first fluid conduit such that the first fluid conduit is in contact with the first set of flow restricting nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: NIAGARA DISPENSING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Vogt, Robert C. Corbett, Thomas Gagliano
  • Patent number: 7357279
    Abstract: A portable fuel tank includes a fuel-storing seat, a cap and a control mechanism. The fuel-storing seat includes a tank wall defining a fuel-storing chamber and formed with a fuel-feeding port at an upper portion thereof, and a fuel-discharging port at a lower portion thereof. The cap is mounted removably on the fuel-storing seat for covering the fuel-feeding port. The control mechanism includes a valve disposed movably within the fuel-storing seat and biased to a sealing position so as to close the fuel-discharging port in the fuel-storing seat. The valve is movable to a non-sealing position so as to separate from the fuel-discharging port, thereby allowing for drainage of fuel from the fuel-storing chamber through the fuel-discharging port by virtue of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Te-Kun Kuo
  • Patent number: 7338226
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aerosol can containing a two-component paint with an aerosol preparation, in particular for use in the automotive industry and for automotive repairs. Said aerosol can contains a binding agent component and a curing component. The binding agent component contains a curable epoxy parent component, solvents and a propellant and the curing component contains a cross-linking agent, which is suitable for curing the epoxy binding agent. The curing component is housed separately from the binding agent component in a cross-linking casing, which is located in the aerosol paint can and can be activated externally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Kwasny
  • Patent number: 7306611
    Abstract: A device for delivering small spheres of biomaterial into a determined portion of a bone including a cylindrical hollow body of inside diameter D1 having a filling first end and a second end provided with a snap-fastener, a shutter-forming guide rod having a main portion that is cylindrical with an outside diameter D2 and presenting an enlarged cylindrical portion suitable for co-operating with the snap-fastener of the body, and a piston constituted by a cylindrical part presenting an outside diameter D3 and an axial bore of diameter D4. The diameter D3 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter D1 of the body and the inside diameter D4 is slightly greater than the diameter D2 of the rod in such a manner that, once the snap-fastener has been released, the rod can slide inside the piston, and the piston can slide inside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Bio Holdings International Limited
    Inventors: Yves Cirotteau, Eric Giangrande
  • Patent number: 7228993
    Abstract: A food seasoning quantitative dispenser includes a body, a supporter, a center rod, a cap unit and a base. The body has a chamber for storing seasoning, and a conical neck. The supporter has plural feet, an annular wall, a central tubular member and an outlet between the feet, and located under the conical neck. The center rod has two flanges, an annular groove between the flanges and a bottom hole for a spring to fit in. The cap unit has a cap body, a button and a stop disc. When the button is pressed down, the center rod is moved down to let the seasoning fall down through the open bottom of the body and received in the base closed on the bottom of the body. The fallen amount is definite for one time of pressing, so a user can adjust the amount by repeating pressing the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Heng-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 6880734
    Abstract: A container for pouring liquids or other substances and having a seal that may be broken after the container is inverted by pulling a handle linked to the seal or by squeezing the bottle to rupture the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: John L. Baeke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6783036
    Abstract: A liquid storing and dispensing package comprising a bottle having a dispensing spout, a cap normally closing the dispensing spout for storage, and a push-in portion in the bottom of the bottle. A push rod has a head stored in the spout and responsive to actuation of the push-in portion to emerge with the spout and allow liquid dispensing. In one aspect of the invention, the push rod head can be refixed and resealed within the spout, by one hand of the user, to prevent further dispensing and to save part of the contents of the bottle for late dispensing, prior to the installation of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Oyvind Haugestad
  • Patent number: 6702160
    Abstract: The invention discloses a no spill container where the user can properly position the dispensing port and release the contents of the container by means of a release assembly integral with the cap of a displacement port. The contents are released when the cap of the displacement port is rotated into an open position and the integral release stem lifts the sealing means that is adjoined to the stem on the opposite end at the dispensing port. The lifting of the stem causes the sealing means at the dispensing port to disengage from the dispensing port allowing the contents of the container to be expelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: H Russell Griffith
  • Patent number: 6422432
    Abstract: A dispensing device including a container with a top aperture adapted for the entry of free-flowing materials and a bottom opening adapted for the directed dispensing of free-flowing materials, a handle, a thumb release trigger associated with a stopper located in the opening. Downward pressure on the thumb release trigger moves the stopper downward allowing the free-flowing material to be dispensed out of the opening. The opening and stopper are adapted to direct the dispensing of the free-flowing material, thereby reducing the spilling inherent in many of the devices found in the prior art. Dispensing the free-flowing materials may be facilitated by a reverse taper on the container sidewall such that the bottom opening for dispensing of free-flowing materials is larger than the aperture for entry of the free-flowing materials. Also, flexible prongs may be located in the container in association with the stopper to disperse the free-flowing materials and prevent clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Evette Alldredge
  • Patent number: 6360926
    Abstract: A dispensing device including a container with a top aperture adapted for the entry of free-flowing materials and a bottom opening adapted for the directed dispensing of free-flowing materials, a handle, a thumb release trigger associated with a stopper located in the opening. Downward pressure on the thumb release trigger moves the stopper downward allowing the free-flowing material to be dispensed out of the opening. The opening and stopper are adapted to direct the dispensing of the free-flowing material, thereby reducing the spilling inherent in many of the devices found in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Evette Alldredge
    Inventors: Evette Alldredge, Gregg D. Niven
  • Patent number: 6315174
    Abstract: A portable dispensing apparatus for dispensing a particulate material such as sand is provided, particularly for dispensing sand into divots made by golfers in the grass playing surface of a golf course when playing golf. The dispensing apparatus includes a container for containing sand and which has an outlet through which the sand can be dispensed, under the force of gravity. A valve member of a valve arrangement is displaceably located with respect to the outlet of the container for opening and blocking the outlet, the valve member being operatively linked with a handle formation for the container which is displaceably located with respect to the container, for displacing the valve member between its open position and its blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: David Bourchier Bowker
  • Patent number: 6311877
    Abstract: A container structure includes a container body, a control device, a switch device, and a flexible drive member. The control device includes a lug connecting to the inside of the container body, and a rotary cap movably mounted on the lug. The switch device includes a spout located opposite to the lug and connecting to the inside of the container body, a nozzle connecting to the spout and having an inner wall provided with a tapered surface, a control valve movably mounted in the nozzle and detachably pressing the tapered surface of the nozzle, and a biasing member pressing between the control valve and the spout. The flexible drive member has a first end secured to the rotary cap to move therewith, and a second end secured to the control valve for moving it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Min-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 6290100
    Abstract: A reusable concentrate cartridge adapted to be supported by a diluting and dispensing container for combining at least two separate components of a multi-component system, the concentrate cartridge having a hollow cylindrical body and a hollow tube with a closure portion. The concentrate cartridge is caused to open by the rotating engagement of a closure cap on the diluting and dispensing container to which causes the closure portion of the hollow tube to disengage to release the concentrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Canberra Corporation
    Inventors: R. Bruce Yacko, Edward L. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6045013
    Abstract: A liquid container includes a hollow body containing an outlet hole formed in the bottom portion thereof, a V-shaped control valve mounted on the bottom portion of the body and having a first tube received in the body and a second tube extending outward from the body via the outlet hole, a plurality of drain holes contained in the mediate portion of the control valve and connecting between the body and the second tube, a control gasket movably mounted in the control valve and movable between a first position where the control gasket seals each of the drain holes, thereby closing the connection between the body and the second tube, and a second position where the control gasket is released from the drain holes, thereby opening the connection between the body and the second tube, and a drive device for moving the control gasket between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Ming-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 6010042
    Abstract: A base end dispensing container, especially suitable for dispensing viscous flowable liquid consumable products is disclosed. The container includes an elongated, squeezable container having an inner chamber for holding the viscous flowable liquid consumable products, a base end dispensing valve, a top end valve operating mechanism and an attached support structure for supporting the container in an upright position a distance from a surface upon which the container is placed. The base end dispensing valve includes a sloping container floor terminating at a substantially flat section, upon which a rotationally operable valve gate rests. The substantially flat floor section of the container includes at least one dispensing opening intermediate the interior chamber of the container and the outside of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventors: Mark Boucher, Gregory D. H. Jones
  • Patent number: 5957335
    Abstract: An apparatus serves for preparing a mixture of an active agent and a diluting agent. A container (45) serves for receiving the diluting agent. A cartridge (10) serves for receiving the active agent (41) within an interior (40) of the cartridge (10) being delimited by wall sections (12, 14, 34). The cartridge (10) is adapted to be inserted into the container (45). It is configured such that the active agent (41) may be discharged into the container (45) and diluted therein with the diluting agent. The cartridge (10), further, has a first wall section (34) adapted to be at least partially disconnected from a surrounding second wall section (14). The first wall section (34) is, further, connected to a third wall section (12) via an actuator (21), the third wall section (12) being separated from the first wall section (34) by the second wall section (14). The actuator (21) is rigidly connected to the third wall section (12) at a fastening point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Jurgen Otto
    Inventor: Jurgen Otto
  • Patent number: 5738136
    Abstract: A fluid pulsator includes a housing containing a fluid reservoir, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a valve assembly biassed to an open position by a predetermined biassing force, the valve assembly includes a surface exposed to the inlet pressure to close the valve assembly when subjected to an inlet pressure greater than the biassing force. An inlet control passageway into the reservoir is dimensioned to produce a flow rate smaller than that in an outlet control passageway from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Super Disc Filters Ltd.
    Inventor: Peretz Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 5697528
    Abstract: A coffee mill providing of coffee beans in different ratios includes a bin partitioned in the middle to form two chambers holding two different types of coffee beans. An outlet in the bottom center of the bin leads to a coffee grinder. This central outlet is surrounded by a base cylinder having a side opening leading to each chamber of the bin. The cylinder is covered by a cylindrical closure cap, also partially open on the side. The cap can block both chambers of the bin, one chamber, or provide partial blocking to one side and none to the other, thus allowing the user to adjust the ratio of different coffee beans by rotating the cap. The bin interlocks with the housing of the grinder, but can be disengaged for removal. The cylindrical closure cap is positioned to block the outlet from both section of the bin when the bin is to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Barry M. Haber, Theodore B. Mulle, Asik Braginsky
  • Patent number: 5678733
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing liquid cleaning substances and is particularly useful for dispensing dishwashing detergents. The device is formed with a base and a means for supporting a liquid detergent container above the base. This support may take the form of an encircling wall that defines an enclosure for a pump style detergent container having a laterally projecting spout mounted in its mouth, or an upright stanchion that holds a detergent container at an elevated level above the base. In either event the device is provided with a concave, upwardly facing liquid detergent receptacle located atop the base and directly beneath the dispensing orifice of the liquid detergent container. A sponge support is formed atop the liquid detergent receptacle. The sponge support may include a mesh screen and is hinged relative to the base to rotate about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Bon S. Ong
  • Patent number: 5529577
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for delivering tissue adhesives to a surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity, within a human or animal. Also disclosed is a method of delivering tissue adhesives to a surface which covers or surrounds a lumen, cavity or organ, or potential lumen or cavity, within a human or animal. The method is particularly suited to sealing perforations in vascular walls, such as after arterial access for Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), Percutaneous Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Atherectomy and similar diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Hemodynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Julius G. Hammerslag
  • Patent number: 5513776
    Abstract: A simple, molded salt or spice shaker is disclosed. The shaker has a cap and an undercap that are rotatable relative to each other. Their rotation also rotates projections that engage the salt or spice material so as to break up lumps that might block the shaker and causes bosses on the undercap to be inserted into dispensing holes in the cap so as to clear the path to the holes and to eject the material from the dispensing holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Ferruccio Canini
  • Patent number: 5507414
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing liquid cleaning substances and is particularly useful for dispensing dishwashing detergents. The device is formed with a base and a means for supporting a liquid detergent container above the base. This support may take the form of an encircling wall that defines an enclosure for a pump style detergent container having a laterally projecting spout mounted in its mouth, or an upright stanchion that holds a detergent container at an elevated level above the base. In either event the device is provided with a concave, upwardly facing liquid detergent receptacle located atop the base and directly beneath the dispensing orifice of the liquid detergent container. A sponge support is formed atop the liquid detergent receptacle. The sponge support may include a mesh screen and is hinged relative to the base to rotate about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Bon S. Ong
  • Patent number: 5495962
    Abstract: A constant quantity discharging device for measuring and discharging a constant quantity of powdered object from a powdered object container includes a fixed cap, a rotary disk, and a rotary cap which are coupled and mounted to the container. The rotary disk and the rotary cap sandwiching the fixed cap are rotated manually as a unit with respect to the fixed cap. The rotary disk has a powder taking out aperture, the fixed cap has a powder storing aperture, and the rotary cap has a powder discharging aperture. The positional relationships of these apertures are shifted circumferentially as the rotary disk and the rotary cap are rotated with respect to the fixed cap such that these apertures are sequentially communicated with an adjacent aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha N-Tec
    Inventor: Akichika Nomura
  • Patent number: 5464133
    Abstract: A disposable container for liquids having a remotely cleavable seal allowing the liquids to be poured into an inlet spout, such as an oil inlet for an engine, without spilling. The container having a shell, a spout with a mouth defined by the container at its top from which liquid therein is poured, a membrane sealing the mouth, a membrane cap threadably attached to the spout to protect the membrane, a method for cleaving the seal, consisting of a rod internal to the shell and attached to the membrane at one end and to a vent cap at the other end which is threadably attached to a vent defined by the container at its bottom, remote from the seal and recessed from the load bearing surface to prevent inadvertent rupture of the seal. In use, the membrane cap is removed and the pouring spout is inserted into an inlet opening, the vent cap is twisted causing the attached internal rod to twist, rupturing the membrane seal, and also opening an air vent allowing the liquid to pour smoothly out of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventor: James T. Drummond
  • Patent number: 5395000
    Abstract: The fluid container with reseatable stopper includes a plunger which has mounted at one end thereof a head which seats between a pair of ribs provided in the neck of the container to create a fluid tight seal therein. The plunger is actuated by a lever set in a cavity in a bottom surface of the container, the lever moving the plunger head into and out of engagement with the ribs. A small open area is created about the circumference of the plunger head which allows fluid to flow therearound in a controlled manner when the head is not seated between the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Billy J. Porter
  • Patent number: 5375739
    Abstract: In a control apparatus for measuring, mixing or regulating one or more liquids in some other way, the liquid or liquids is/are delivered to a vessel (1) through delivery pipes (3, 4). The vessel includes a container (2) having a spillway (8). Liquid which passes over the lid of the spillway is collected by a liquid-collecting device (9) connected to a container outlet valve (7) by means of an arm (12) which is subjected to the load of a spring (13). When the weight of the liquid collected in the device (9) exceeds the force exerted by the spring, the outlet valve will open. At the same time there is activated, for instance, a microswitch (17) which influences the supply of liquid through the delivery pipes (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Claes Granfelt
  • Patent number: 5356042
    Abstract: A dispensing container for motor oil includes a conventional oil container which has an upwardly tapered top surface. A valve at the outlet and a valve stem is axially disposed in the container. The valve and valve stem have a bellowed actuating member disposed in an open cavity at the container bottom, which when depressed, opens the valve. A safety stem is provided on the valve stem which engages the tapered top surface for preventing the valve and valve stem from falling out of the container after the container has been opened and inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventors: Terry Huffman, Aage Nost
  • Patent number: 5303750
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a drain by opening a container within a dispenser and dispensing drain cleaner from the container, through an outlet of the dispenser, and into the drain. The dispenser may have an upwardly extending pin for opening the container. Alternatively, the dispenser may have a cutter for opening an angled end of the container. In another alterative, the container may include a plug and a cooperating stem for opening the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Block Drug Company
    Inventors: Arthur Sternheimer, Anthony Delia