For Pivoted And Swingable Elements Patents (Class 222/517)
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Patent number: 5542584Abstract: An attachment to a nozzle and spigot valve on bag-in-the-box liquid container providing mechanical advantage and improved accessibility to open the valve. The attachment includes a mounting means and two surfaces, an upper surface and a lower surface, joined by a pivot in front of the nozzle and spigot that when the surfaces are compressed between finger and thumb, easily opens the spigot valve. By extending the upper and lower surfaces beyond the pivot, additional mechanical advantage to open the valve is also achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Inventor: Ronald C. Konar
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Patent number: 5524794Abstract: A metering device for controlling the flow of granular material from a container. The metering device includes an electromechanical solenoid connected to a pivoting metering bar. When the solenoid is energized, the metering bar is pivoted away from an outlet aperture, permitting the flow of material from the container. When the solenoid is de-energized, a spring causes the metering bar to pivot into contact with the outlet aperture, closing the outlet aperture and stopping the flow of material from the container.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: Ingersoll-Dresser Pump CompanyInventors: Albert M. Benedetti, Jr., Paul A. Nolte
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Patent number: 5518050Abstract: A pouring device for pouring lubricating oil into the oil filler neck of a conventional engine. The pouring device is adapted to prevent unwanted spilling of oil onto the exterior surface of the engine block during the pouring operation. The pouring device has a cylindrical connecting neck portion which is adapted to be threadaly mounted over the discharge aperture of a conventional lubricating oil container. The connecting neck portion extends integrally into a spout. The spout has an inlet surface. A sealing membrane is hingely connected to the connecting neck portion, adjacent the inlet surface. The sealing membrane is adapted to pivot between a closed position wherein it prevents the lubricating oil from flowing through the inlet aperture and an open position wherein the sealing membrane allows the lubrificating oil to flow through the inlet aperture. The sealing membrane is adapted to be releasably locked in its close position by a locking lip which abuts against its peripheral edge.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Inventor: Marc Dumas
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Patent number: 5477980Abstract: A receptacle cover is disclosed incorporates an actuating trigger connected to a pair of biased valves that seal off the dispensing conduit and the relief vent from the top side of the cover. This construction isolates most of the linkage between the valves and the actuator from the contents of the receptacle. The actuator is a trigger located proximate the upper portion of a handle extending from the cover, and is linked to the valves by a wire that extends to, and moves, a rotating rod that is perpendicularly disposed in relation to the wire. The rod, in turn, is attached to the valves by additional wires that force them open against their proximate leaf springs. The dispensing conduit forms a plenum or chamber that functions in a manner similar to a straw by extending upwards from the cover. This construction prevents inadvertent leakage or fluid build up on the exterior of the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1994Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Inventor: Jeffrey D. Chaffin
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Patent number: 5413257Abstract: A paint can lid is disclosed which is particularly suited for automatic stirring machines. The lid includes a body which is dimensioned to cover to open top of the can while locking feet removably secure the body to the can. A pouring spout is formed to the body for dispensing paint from the can and this pouring spout has a generally flat upper surface with an opening formed through it. The lid further includes a closure which is adapted to overlie and cover the pouring spout while an operating lever selectively moves the closure between an open and a closed position. The operating lever is selectively connected to the closure so that, upon actuation of the operating lever, the lever alternatively moves the closure between a closed position and an upwardly pivoted open position or, alternatively, a closed position and a radially inwardly retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1993Date of Patent: May 9, 1995Assignee: Dedoes Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nancy D. Amberger, John T. Dedoes
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Patent number: 5400912Abstract: A closure especially adapted for use with a dispenser spout, said closure having a concealed hinge arranged to permit the lid to be opened 180.degree. away from its associated base to provide maximum access to a container to which the closure is assembled, the closure, consisting of a closure base and a lid, being capable of being molded in a single mold cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1993Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Courtaulds Packaging Inc.Inventors: John J. Brown, Michael Jacobs
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Patent number: 5377882Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, discloses a closure device for a container and a container with such a device. The device has a body with a top fluid pour opening and with a top air vent opening. Preferably the air vent extends through a vent extension which projects downwardly from the body. A hinged lid releasably seals the fluid pour opening shut and the air vent shut. The lid is held within a top recess over the two openings and is, in one preferred embodiment, releasable by squeezing a container on which the device is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1993Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Inventors: Ninh G. Pham, Joseph A. Decker, Jr., Canh S. Bui
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Patent number: 5358130Abstract: A one-piece closure for dispensing product from a container has a cap secured to the container and a lid connected to the cap by a support arm through an integrally molded hinge. The support arm is pivoted by the hinge between a pair of upstanding projections on the end wall of the cap. Ribs projecting laterally from the support arm engage the projections to maintain the lid opened when the container is inverted to dispense product. When the lid is pushed closed, the ribs deform to allow the support arm to pass between the projections. In one embodiment, side edges of the ribs engage upwardly facing cylindrical camming surfaces on the projections. In another embodiment, the outer surfaces of the ribs engage confronting flat surfaces on the two projections. In the closed position of the lid, the ribs in both embodiments are received in recesses in the projections so that they do not become permanently deformed and loose their effectiveness over time.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1994Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Gary L. Mengeu, Herbert V. Dutt
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Patent number: 5332120Abstract: The present invention is a toy water bow which is operated by selectively releasing water from a water reservoir that is pressurized with air. The present invention is a toy device formed in the general shape of an archery bow that has a manually operated air pump incorporated into it. The air pump pressurizes a water reservoir and consequently exerts pressure on water contained therein. The pressurized air and water have an avenue of release that is regulated by a pull mechanism of the invention. When no force is applied to the pull mechanism, the pressurized air and water are held at bay with no means of release from the reservoir. When force is applied to the pull mechanism in a predetermined manner, water is released from the pressurized reservoir and is channeled through a narrow nozzle. The escape of the water through the narrow nozzle creates a stream of propelled water in the form of an "arrow" of predetermined length.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1992Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Inventors: Bruce M. D'Andrade, Lonnie G. Johnson
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Patent number: 5301849Abstract: A spout and sealing cap assembly for a container which includes a spout which is connectable to the container, a sealing cap for closing off a dispensing opening in the spout and a bi-stable hinge integrally formed with the sealing cap. The bi-stable hinge maintains the cap only in one of two stable positions, an open position and a closed position. The spout is formed as a first one-piece plastic part with an undercut profile connection portion. The sealing cap is also formed as a second one-piece plastic part with an undercut profile connection portion spaced from the bi-stable hinge. The plastic of the spout is a formed of a more flexible plastic than that of the sealing cap. The bi-stable hinge is formed integrally with the sealing cap and, thus, also is formed of the relatively rigid, hard plastic.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1991Date of Patent: April 12, 1994Assignee: Rical S.A.Inventors: Bernard Guglielmini, Pierre Pellerano
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Patent number: 5289930Abstract: An evaporation closure is disclosed. One embodiment of the closure includes a cap, made of pliable material, which in turn includes a top wall having an opening, a skirt downwardly depending from the top wall and having a threadless internal wall adapted to slip on and sealingly engage a container, and biasing means integral with the skirt; and an elongated arm, which in turn includes a means for sealing the opening, pivotally attached to the cap for movement between a first position wherein the sealing means seals the opening and a second position wherein the sealing means does not seal the opening, the arm being biased toward the first position by the biasing means. Such a closure is useful for minimizing evaporation from containers, particularly automated clinical analyzer reagent bottles.A kit including in packaged combination component parts of the evaporation closure is also disclosed. Such a kit is useful for conveniently assembling the evaporation closures of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1991Date of Patent: March 1, 1994Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.Inventor: Kenneth K. Inouye
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Patent number: 5273177Abstract: A press-to-open dispensing closure with a flexible arcual top surface(22) in convex orientation is provided which includes a flexible, aperture cover(26) having an arcuate hinging connection to the top surface. The hinging connection of the appeture cover articulates between a convexly arcuate closed condition and a concavely arcuate open position.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1992Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Inventor: Phillip J. Campbell
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Patent number: 5271536Abstract: A plastic dispensing closure including a closure body, a lid, a resilient "living" hinge joining the lid to the closure body, and camming members defined between the lid and the closure body to temporarily deform the hinge, within its elastic limits, as the lid is moved between its opened and closed position. One end of the hinge is secured to a flexible holder situated at the rear of the closure. Such holder functions as a cantilever beam and serves as a spring to minimize the stress forces imposed upon the "living" hinge. The closure body, lid, and hinge may be integrally molded, and the holder may be situated upon the closure body, or upon the lid, as design considerations dictate.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1992Date of Patent: December 21, 1993Assignee: Polytop CorporationInventor: Steven B. Wilson
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Patent number: 5265777Abstract: The present invention involves a dispensing cap system for dispensing flowable material. It includes an inner cap which has an open bottom, a sidewall structure and top, as well as an orifice for dispensing which is located in the top of the inner cap. The inner cap may be attached to a container and has at least one vertical ratchet located on the outside of the sidewall structure so as to permit downward free motion and to prevent upward free motion of an outer cap, the vertical ratchet being adapted to engage such an outer cap when the outer cap is pressed downwardly. It also includes an outer cap having an open bottom, a sidewall structure and a top, the outer cap being movably fitted over the inner cap and the outer cap having an orifice for dispensing located on its top.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1992Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: Primary Delivery Systems, Inc.Inventor: Jack Weinstein
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Patent number: 5242075Abstract: A self-closing cap for the filler neck of an oil pan is provided which allows the oil pan of an engine to be filled without the necessity of removing the cap. The cap comprises a lower body having a flat inner bottom surface with a passage in it, and a spring-loaded closing plate that likewise includes an opening. The closing plate is slidably movable over the flat inner bottom surface o the lower body against the force of the spring by means of a handle such that its opening is alignable with the opening in the bottom surface of the lower body to form an oil receiving passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1991Date of Patent: September 7, 1993Assignee: Mecrom Ott & Holey OHGInventors: Siegfried Ott, Franz Mayer
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Patent number: 5236107Abstract: A dispensing cap construction having a closure button which is pivotally mounted in the upper portion of a tubular cap body. The closure button and the cap body have communicating discharge passages, and the button has an orifice at the end of its discharge passage. The button orifice is normally closed by the upper wall of the cap body, and such wall is resilient and has a bulge which extends into the button orifice to act as a detent thereby to minimize the likelihood of the botton becoming inadvertently opened.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1992Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: Stull Closure Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Lambert Spaanstra, Sr.
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Patent number: 5213235Abstract: A monoblock tube includes a monoblock body having a cylindrical configuration and a cap comprising a first portion and second portion hingedly connected by at least one hinge member. The body includes an upper part and a lower part, the upper part of the body including a circular area of a smaller diameter than the body and concentric therewith. The circular area includes a substantially T-shaped recessed portion which includes a cap fixture portion located toward a base of the "T" shape and a non-centralized substantially circular spout located opposite the fixture portion, the spout being in fluid communication with an interior side of the tube. The cap is substantially T-shaped to fit within the recessed portion of the circular area and the first portion is adapted to be releasably attached to the cap fixture portion. The second portion is hingedly movable by the hinge between an open position and a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1991Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignee: Bunzl Plastics, Inc.Inventor: Renato Miranda
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Patent number: 5205424Abstract: There is disclosed a child resistant cap and container assemblage comprising a container and a cap member that is secured to the container so that it can not be removed without either breaking the cap member or damaging the seal that joins the cap member to the container. The cap member is provided with a nozzle having an internal locking means so that the contents of the container can not be accessed when the container is in its normal upright position. To access the contents in the container, the assemblage is titled to disengage the locking means enabling the nozzle to be opened and permitting a user to access the contents of the container using only one hand.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1992Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.Inventor: Ruben C. Gaspar
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Patent number: 5181618Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 1991Date of Patent: January 26, 1993Assignee: Rotex, Inc.Inventor: Glenn J. Pogue
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Patent number: 5114051Abstract: A pouring spout assembly comprises an envelope connected to the open upper end of a container by interlocking elements. The envelope has an upper opening adapted to being brought in register with an opening in a slide drawer unit below and having a bottom wall below the drawer unit in which is formed a port communicating with the inside of the container. The drawer unit is provided with a push piece exposed on the outside of the envelope.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1990Date of Patent: May 19, 1992Inventor: Patrick Simon
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Patent number: 5105986Abstract: A device for preventing or minimizing spillage of liquid from an inverted container of liquid, and containers with such a device the device, in one embodiment, having a body for securement to the container, the body having a fluid channel therethrough through which the liquid can flow and a movable closure member which, if not held against the body, moves away from the fluid channel so that fluid flow is not impeded and which, if pressure is placed against it, is held against the body to prevent fluid flow. In one embodiment, an air vent is provided through the body to facilitate flow. Another embodiment provides a frangible cover for an opening of a container of liquid and a container with such a cover. Another embodiment provides a container with a closure adhesively attached sealingly across its opening, the cover secured in one area by adhesive so that it will separate from the container in that area upon the application of force to the cover permitting fluid flow from the container.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1990Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Inventors: Ninh G. Pham, Joseph A. Decker, Jr., Guy L. McClung, III, Canh S. Bui
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Patent number: 5105988Abstract: The finger actuated plunger of a dispenser has a protector cap pivotally mounted thereon and normally disposed for covering the discharge orifice. The cap is pivotally movable relative to the head upon application of finger force to the cap in the direction of plunger head reciprocation for uncovering the orifice. The cap is resiliently urged into its normal orifice-covering position upon removal of the applied finger force.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1990Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Calmar Inc.Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
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Patent number: 5090596Abstract: A plastic perforative spout for dispensing substances through a sidewall of a plastic container includes a unitary rigid plastic, preferably teflon or polyethylene, perforation element with a protective cap, a dispensing valve removably attached to the perforation element, and an accessory circular adaptor for rounded containers. The plastic cutting element extends from a hollow shank surrounding an opening in a flange portion of a hollow tubular body. Two intersecting cross ribs are formed inside the shank, and a vertical rib extends from the intersection of the cross-ribs to the point of the radius cut semi-circular cutting element. The plastic dispenser is removably attached over the tubular body, and a boss is pressed to displace the flexible concave valve to dispense the container contents through the mouth of the dispenser. A snap lock holds the valve open if desired. The circular adaptor fits over the shank and defines a concave surface for mounting flush against a curved surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1991Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Inventor: Robert W. Knight
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Patent number: 5078302Abstract: Apparatus for sealing the colorant-dispensing nozzles of machines adapted for coloring paint base material. Container assemblies of the machine provide storage of the colorants and may include metering apparatus to discharge preselected amounts of colorant through the nozzle into a quantity of paint base material. Flow control valves on the container assemblies block the discharge of colorant material from the metering apparatus. A sealing valve is attached to each nozzle to block the free end of the nozzle against air intrusion.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1990Date of Patent: January 7, 1992Assignee: Fluid Management Limited PartnershipInventor: Leen Hellenberg
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Patent number: 5074441Abstract: A closure of a liquid container, such as plastic bottles or chemical bottles, has a cap made of a resilient material and provided with a central opening-and-closing protrusion erected. By fitting a stopper of a relatively hard material onto the cap and provided with an engagement part onto the cap, the contents of the container can be poured and kept at its pouring or dispensing condition after the protrusion is rotated and engaged or hooked with the engagement part by a thumb and finger of the operator or user of the bottle. It is easy to release the hooked or engaged condition of the protrusion of the cap to the lever of the stopper, permitting the contents to be stopped from dispensing instantly.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1989Date of Patent: December 24, 1991Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihiro Taguchi, Kuniyasu Obara
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Patent number: 5072858Abstract: A beverage server has a divided fluid container comprising a pair of isolated chambers. The container has mounted thereon a closure cap of a cap assembly which locks to the top of the container. The closure cap has filler caps on its upper face for alternately exposing the chambers to permit filling them with beverages to be dispensed, and closing off the chambers from the outside. The cap assembly houses a chamber selection mechanism for alternately selecting one or the other of the chambers from which to dispense a beverage. The chamber selection mechanism includes a trigger housed in the handle which actuates a rack and pinion assembly housed in the closure cap. A pinion rod and chamber plug carrier arm mounted thereon rotate as the pinion gear is engaged by the rack. A chamber plug carried by the arm is rotated as desired into position for alternately opening up or closing off one of the two chambers.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1991Date of Patent: December 17, 1991Inventor: James W. Brashier
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Patent number: 5065911Abstract: A closure is provided for use on a container. The closure includes a body for being mounted to the container over the container opening and defines a dispensing orifice. A separate lid is mounted on the body for pivoting between a closed position and an open position. A resiliently deformable biasing member extends from the lid and has a distal end for engaging the body. Restraining walls are provided on the body for restraining the distal end of the biasing member whereby the biasing member is most stressed when the lid is at an over center position between the open and closed positions to thereby bias the lid toward one of the open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1990Date of Patent: November 19, 1991Assignee: Seaquist ClosuresInventors: Robert D. Rohr, Lawrence R. Kitterman
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Patent number: 5065912Abstract: A biased swivel closure is provided for a container and includes a cap cover which is pivotably mounted to a closure cap for pivoting between a closed position sealing a discharge nozzle and an open position. The cap cover is normally biased to the closed position by a pretensioning device which is connected between the cap cover and the closure cap. The pretensioning device includes an inverted V-shaped leaf spring having first and second legs which are spread outwardly in an arc shape in the untensioned state when the cap cover is removed from its mounting in the closure cap. When the cover is pivotably mounted in the closure cap and oriented obliquely downwardly and generally in the same plane and parallel to one another with the root connection of the two legs resting on a portion of the closure cap.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1990Date of Patent: November 19, 1991Assignee: Bielsteiner Verschlusstechnik GmbHInventor: Karl-Heinz Rosenthal
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Patent number: 5056691Abstract: A valved fuel dispensing container device (10) including a valve member (31) disposed intermediate the inlet (22) and outlet (238) of the fuel nozzle (21) to give the user control over when the fule is allowed to flow past the valve member (31) and to minimize the risk of spillage and attendant evaporation either from the device (10) itself or with respect to a vessel to which the fuel is being transferred.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Inventor: Douglas Tolbert
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Patent number: 5044529Abstract: A unitary liquid dispensing cap with integral actuator and valve assemblies is provided which includes a centrally located bellows to provide a restoring force to drive the valve back to the closed position after dispensing the liquid. A guide is provided for the valve and includes projections which cooperate with mating projections on the valve assembly to control movement of the valve. The valve assembly may be cocked to provide positive sealing of the dispensing passage by the valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1989Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Inventor: Phillip J. Campbell
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Patent number: 5038957Abstract: A two-piece, snap-action closure includes a body and a separate lid. A biasing member is provided on the body to engage the rear portion of the lid to bias the lid to the full closed position or to the full open position from a bistable over center point. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing member is a cantilevered tab. In another embodiment the biasing member is a resiliently flexible member that presents a convex configuration toward the lid in the closed position. In one embodiment, the lid is pivotally mounted to the body with pivot members having oppositely facing flat sides which are received in rectangular receiving apertures. In another embodiment, the pivot members are cylindrical and are received in semi-cylindrical receiving apertures. In a preferred form of the closure, an angled cam surface is provided on the body to guide each pivot member into the receiving apertures.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1990Date of Patent: August 13, 1991Assignee: Seaquist Closures, a division of Pittway CorporationInventor: Richard A. Gross
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Patent number: 5022565Abstract: A portable dispenser for fastening to a conventional carbonated beverage container and providing the convenient dispensing of the contents therein while maintaining the carbonation of the beverage until fully consumed is disclosed. The dispenser is comprised of a body assembly for threadedly engaging a conventional carbonated beverage container, such as one liter, two liter and three liter PET containers, and sealing with respect thereto. The body assembly contains a tube assembly for extending from the bottom of the beverage within the container to the dispenser outlet, with a valve mechanism spring loaded to squeeze the tube closed and manually operable for controllably allowing the flow of the beverage therethrough. The body assembly includes a unique pressure regulator and a CO.sub.2 cartridge in a cartridge holder for providing a source of CO.sub.2 at the regulated pressure to the beverage container.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1990Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Assignee: Kineret EngineeringInventors: Oded E. Sturman, Benjamin Grill, Walter L. Harrison
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Patent number: 5009345Abstract: An apparatus for closing a chute includes a chute for dispensing a granular material. A gate assembly is mounted for controllably opening and closing the chute and includes a bridge member with a curved gate attached to it. The gate assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the gate permits granular material to be dispensed through the chute and in the second position, the gate co-acts with a sealing member and the chute to prevent material from passing through the chute. In a highly preferred embodiment, the sealing member comprises a plurality of inwardly projecting curved ridges formed on the interior of the chute.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1989Date of Patent: April 23, 1991Assignee: J. I. Case CompanyInventors: Michael A. McSweeney, John F. Stufflebeam
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Patent number: 5000359Abstract: A spigot for association with a spout connected to a container, the spigot including a cylindrical portion to fit over the end of the spout, a diaphragm for engaging the end of the spout to prevent flow of liquid, a toggle member for deflecting the diaphragm and an opening through the cylindrical portion for dispensing liquid upon the deflection of the diaphragm. The spigot includes a downspout extending from the opening and having a sealed outer end which is of a relatively thin-walled construction, the downspout having a thicker wall inwardly of the outer end to prevent collapse of the downspout during deflection of the diaphragm. The spigot member includes a relatively thin-walled portion inwardly of the thickened part of the downspout for facilitating deflection of the diaphragm. The spigot may be sealed by heat sealing together opposed wall portions of the downspout or by a tab heat sealed over the end of the downspout.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1989Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: Scholle CorporationInventors: William R. Scholle, Chester Savage, Peter V. Schindler
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Patent number: 4994055Abstract: A reservoir outlet control device for controlling fluid flow from a reservoir. The device is particularly suitable for controlling fluid outflow from a blood collecting and blood delivery reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1989Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Assignee: Pfizer Hospital Products Group, Inc.Inventors: Douglas M. Spranger, Karl D. Kirk, III, Robert Cohen, Preston J. Keeler, III, Jeffrey A. Stein
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Patent number: 4978041Abstract: A receptacle and dispenser for tennis balls and the like including, a portable barrel-like receptacle mounted upon a tubular wheeled frame. The lower edge of the receptacle at its foremost point is removed so as to present a dispensing mouth of a size greater that the diameter of a single tennis ball. A spring tension hinged tray extends beyond the circumference of the barrel to one side of the dispensing mouth so as to receive a plurality of tennis balls as they gravitate out of the receptacle, with the tray adapted to be manually pivoted about its hinged connection so as to expose the tennis balls therein for removal therefrom. A stop is placed in the path of pivotal travel of the tray to restrict its movement relative to the receptacle opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1989Date of Patent: December 18, 1990Inventor: Bill Richter
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Patent number: 4971228Abstract: A damper device for dampening a grain stream flowing from a discharge end of a spout has an adjustable band for mounting on the spout, a bucket for surrounding the grain stream and composed of a pair of main deflector members located at a first pair of opposite sides of the grain stream, a pair of supplementary and auxiliary deflector members located at each of a second pair of opposite sides of the grain stream in orthogonal relation to the first pair of stream sides, and a support arrangement suspending the main, supplementary and auxiliary deflector members from the mounting band. The support arrangement pivotally mounts the main deflector members to extend below the spout and across the grain stream for impact with grain flowing from the spout and biases the main deflector members for movement toward and away from one another between contracted and expanded relations in response to absence and presence of the grain stream flowing from the spout.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1989Date of Patent: November 20, 1990Inventors: Bruce L. Baker, Richard L. Miller
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Patent number: 4967723Abstract: A BB gun loader has a rigid BB container having an open end covered by a removable cap and having the other end an outlet side to emit one BB at a time. The outlet is shaped to fit into the end of a BB gun magazine. A dispenser mechanism is a single molded piece pinned to the rigid BB container for rotation on a pair of pins responsive to the pressing of a dispenser button located on the exterior of the container to open and close a BB outlet door covering the BB outlet. A pair of leaf springs are formed into the dispenser mechanism and extend against one side of the BB container to return the BB outlet door to a closed position when the dispenser-button is released.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1989Date of Patent: November 6, 1990Inventor: Gary W. Cutrell
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Patent number: 4942983Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particulate ice including a case with an ice hopper therein for storage of ice. The ice hopper is provided with a downwardly sloped floor. An auger assembly is provided for moving ice within the ice hopper upwardly along the sloped floor from the lower end to dispense the ice from an opening at the upper end thereof. The apparatus is also provided with a lever arm, electric circuitry, and a motor mounted within the case in the space inside the walls thereof and under the sloped floor of the ice hopper for selectively activating the auger assembly. The auger assembly includes a rotating shaft which is sealed against the stationary ice hopper in a packing case, the packing case having a hole therethrough for receiving the rotating shaft, a seal cap and a thrust bearing. The sealing cap is provided with a seal for sealing against both the packing case and the rotating shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1988Date of Patent: July 24, 1990Inventor: John R. Bradbury
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Patent number: 4927114Abstract: A tilt valve cartridge for a pneumatic mechanism has a cylindrical housing having two open ends, an annular valve seat secured in one open end, a valve member in tiltable contact with the annular seat and having a valve stem which extends through the valve seat and protrudes from the end of the cylinder, a spring to hold the valve member in a normally closed relationship with the valve seat, a sealing element secured to the cylindrical housing on its exterior surface so as to seal the interface between the cartridge and the mechanism, and retention feature to capture the valve member and valve biasing spring within the cylindrical cartridge. The modular cartridge feature simplifies installation and replacement of the valve in the inlet air passage of the pneumatic mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1989Date of Patent: May 22, 1990Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand CompanyInventors: David J. Baker, Kenneth J. Dubuque, John M. Estep, Charles J. Hix, Jr.
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Patent number: 4925069Abstract: An apparatus for filling a specified amount of liquid comprising a metering cylinder having a piston therein, a vertical filling nozzle having an opening at its lower end and forcibly chargeable with a liquid from the metering cylinder by the operation of the piston, a damper for opening and closing the opening of the filling nozzle, a spring biasing the damper so as to hold the damper closed against the gravity acting on the liquid filling the nozzle while the damper is closed with the charging discontinued although permitting the damper to be opened with the pressure of the liquid forcibly charged into the filling nozzle from the metering cylinder, and a closing device adapted to act on the damper in its open state to close the damper when the charging of the liquid is discontinued and adapted to be brought out of action transmitting relation with the damper so as to permit the spring only to hold the damper closed before the charging of the liquid is subsequently started.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1988Date of Patent: May 15, 1990Assignee: Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Ueda, Shigeru Wakabayashi, Yoshihiro Saijo, Yasuji Fujikawa
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Patent number: 4921146Abstract: A server top which is attachable to a container, includes a lid portion which fits over the container and has an outlet through which a substance within the container may be poured, two substantially parallel side faces which each extend outwardly from the lid portion and which each have a pivot hollow, a closure which is movable over the lid portion to open and close the outlet, and a push lever. The push lever is connected to the closure to open and close the outlet by sliding the closure back and forth. The push lever includes a push arm, two sides of which a portion of each side is inwardly adjacent to one side face near its pivot hollow, two pivot protrusions which each extend outwardly from one push lever side into the adjacent pivot hollow so that the push lever is pivotally mounted between the two side faces. The entire push lever is injection molded as a unitary form finished push lever, with the push arm, two sides, and two protrusions formed in the same molding operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1988Date of Patent: May 1, 1990Assignee: Traex CorporationInventor: Ferdinand F. Salzmann
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Patent number: 4917253Abstract: A closure system for a container having a closure body with a hingedly connected closure lid. The closure body has an end wall and a cylindrical skirt with internal threads for screwing the closure system onto the container. The closure lid has at least one integrally molded projection extending from its cylindrical skirt. The projection engages the closure body end wall when it is desired to dispense material from the container. This projection is rigid enough to prevent the closure lid from interfering with the dispensing of the materials from the container yet is resilient enough to fold under the closure lid when the closure system is in the closed mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1989Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.Inventor: Herbert V. Dutt
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Patent number: 4911337Abstract: A closure is provided for a container. The closure has a body for being mounted over the container opening and defines an orifice for communicating through the container opening with the container interior. The body also defines a pair of spaced-apart bearing cavities. A lid is mounted to the body with a pair of trunnions for each being received in one of the bearing cavities. A compression link member has first and second ends with the first end connected to the body and the second end pivotally connected to the lid at a location spaced from the trunnion axis. The bearing cavities are configured and located to provide a clearance at least on opposite sides of each trunnion when the compression link member is in the full open position and in the full closed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1989Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Assignee: Bielsteiner Verschlubtechnik GmbHInventor: Karl-Heinz Rosenthal
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Patent number: 4898308Abstract: A removable package for dispensing syrup in a post-mix soft drink dispensing system and having an actuated closure mechanism. The package includes an upper body portion from which a lower discharge portion extends outwardly therefrom and which further includes an outwardly facing discharge port. The closure assembly includes a movable outer cap member pivotally attached to a facing member. The facing member fits over the discharge port and includes a syrup outlet opening and an air inlet opening therein. The cap member includes means for closing off both openings when in contact with the facing member. An actuator including a spring biased roller contacts the cap member such that when a dispensing operation is required, the cap member is swung outward by means of the roller away from the facing member, exposing the syrup outlet and air inlet openings. When the dispensing operation is completed, the roller forces the cap member back into contact with the facing member to reseal the openings.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1988Date of Patent: February 6, 1990Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventor: Arthur G. Rudick
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Patent number: 4890773Abstract: A two-chamber viscous product dispenser which includes a stationary, transversely offset, longitudinally extending discharge spout. A depressible discharge pump actuator is mounted on the container and has extended and retracted positions. A spring biased cover having a cap overlies the discharge opening of the spout and a lever at the opposite end is in movable engagement with the actuator. A rib on the spout serves as a fulcrum for the body of the cover such that when the actuator is retracted, the cap uncovers the discharge opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1989Date of Patent: January 2, 1990Assignee: Calmar, Inc.Inventor: Douglas F. Corsette
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Patent number: 4887747Abstract: A container closure is provided with a structure that permits it to be readily disassembled and assembled for use on a container defining an opening communicating with the container interior. The closure includes a body and a cover separate from the body. The cover is adapted to be pivoted about an axis between a closed position occluding a dispensing orifice in the body and at least one open position spaced away from the dispensing orifice. An axis-defining structure is provided on either the cover or the body for defining the pivot axis of the closure, and also includes a cam surface around the axis. The other one of the cover or body is provided with a receiving structure for engaging the cam surface to mount the cover to the body for pivoting about the axis. Either or both of the cover and body is elastically deformable. The deformable structure is least stressed when the cover is at one of the open positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1988Date of Patent: December 19, 1989Assignee: Seaquist Closures, a division of Pittway CorporationInventors: Efrem M. Ostrowsky, John P. Kinsley
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Patent number: 4881668Abstract: A closure is provided for use on a container that has an opening communicating with the container interior. The closure includes a body for being mounted to the container over the container opening and for defining at least a first aperture communicating through the container opening with the container interior. The body includes a peripheral side wall outwardly of the first aperture. The closure includes a cover on the body for defining at least a first lid to cover the first aperture. The closure includes a first hinge for accommodating pivoting of the first lid between a closed position occluding first aperture and an open position spaced away from the first aperture and for connecting the first lid directly to another part of the cover or the body. The first lid includes a first engaging arm for engaging the body side wall when the first lid is in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1988Date of Patent: November 21, 1989Assignee: Seaquist Closures, A division of Pittway CorporationInventors: Lawrence R. Kitterman, Robert D. Rohr
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Patent number: 4881669Abstract: A valve structure formed from a single tubular plastic component having two integral tube sections. A first section includes a flow orifice. The second section constitutes the valve element for controlling flow through the orifice by being inverted relative to the first section to overlie the orifice in sealing relationship thereto. In the preferred embodiments of the specification, the second section is invaginated into a compressed position within the first section.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1988Date of Patent: November 21, 1989Assignee: The Meyer CompanyInventors: James P. Leigh, Henry G. Roethel
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Patent number: 4872596Abstract: A two-chamber viscous product dispenser has an internal valve element which includes integral inlet and outlet check valves for the valving of product into the pump chamber and from the pump chamber through a stationary spout. The outlet valve may be in the form of a flap valve having resilient webs for spring biasing the valve to its closed position. Otherwise, the outlet valve may be plate like capable of deforming when opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1988Date of Patent: October 10, 1989Assignee: Calmar Inc.Inventor: Douglas F. Corsette