Fluid Pressure Actuated Patents (Class 239/322)
  • Patent number: 10898912
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly including an inner tube and an outer housing. The inner tube terminates at an outlet end and defines a first flow passage. The first flow passage directs first fluid flow to the outlet end in a primary flow direction. The outer housing includes a tubular side wall and an end wall. The tubular side wall defines a central axis. The end wall defines an exit orifice and an interior guide structure. The outlet end is axially aligned with the exit orifice. A second flow passage is established between the inner tube and the outer housing. The interior guide structure is configured and arranged relative to the outlet end to direct at least a portion of a second fluid flow from the second flow passage toward the outlet end in a direction initially opposite the primary flow direction for generating mixed fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Alison Hoxie, Paul John Strykowski, Vinod Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8973847
    Abstract: Aerosol-free spray devices are provided. According to some embodiments, a spray device includes a piston operable within a piston chamber and coupled to a vacuum plunger operable within a vacuum chamber. A charger is operable to move the piston and the vacuum plunger in a first direction to generate a vacuum in the piston chamber and the vacuum chamber, thereby drawing liquid into the piston chamber. The vacuum in the vacuum chamber acts on the piston to pressurize the liquid in the piston chamber. A spray actuator is operable to open a spray valve, thereby causing the vacuum in the vacuum chamber to force the plunger and the piston to move opposite the first direction, and forcing the liquid in the piston chamber through a spray nozzle as a liquid spray. According to other embodiments, a spring replaces the vacuum chamber and vacuum plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Easy Spray LLC
    Inventors: Pasquale A. Iammatteo, Roman Bicej
  • Patent number: 8967496
    Abstract: An actuator and nozzle assembly for a dispensing device for dispensing product under pressure, wherein a product chamber is supported within an outer container and a source of pressurized air pressurizes the product to dispense it through the nozzle. A stem valve normally biased to closed position is opened by an actuator reciprocal on a coupling member that attaches the actuator to the outer container. A first valve controls flow of pressurized air to the nozzle, and a second valve controls flow of product to the nozzle. In a first position of the actuator flow of air to the nozzle is enabled and in a second position flow of product is also enabled. Release of the actuator first interrupts flow of product then interrupts flow of pressurized air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: William Sydney Blake
  • Patent number: 8870093
    Abstract: A pneumatic dispenser for dispensing viscous material, for example, mastic caulk, from a container is described. The dispenser comprises a fluid supply arrangement for accepting a dispensing nozzle of the container and providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the dispensing nozzle to enable the material to be dispensed as a spray. A moveable member can be used to control the flow of pressurized fluid, for example a member disposed on a cap for closing a container containing compartment of the dispenser and/or a moveable member disposed around the dispensing nozzle. The arrangement of the fluid supply arrangement allows for convenient control of the pressurized fluid flow for spraying the material. Also disclosed is a dispenser with a readily exchangeable pressure application interface for applying a dispensing pressure to the container, enabling the dispenser to be used with both cartridge and foil pack containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: P.C. Cox Limited
    Inventor: Richard Brummitt
  • Patent number: 8499983
    Abstract: The tank comprises a variable volume chamber containing a liquid and defined by a wall; and a piston suitable for moving in the tank under thrust from powder gas at a temperature much higher than that of the liquid in order to decrease the volume of the chamber. The tank also comprises a deformable elastomer membrane pressed against a face of the piston outside the chamber, the membrane being suitable for thermally protecting the wall and for providing sealing between the piston and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Conrardy, Daniel Peyrisse, Dominique Le Louedec
  • Patent number: 8490891
    Abstract: A washing fluid supply structure of a water outlet device and a shower device, is arranged in the water supply pipeline of the water outlet device. It has a container for washing liquid, and a fluid supply device disposed in a main body which is a water flow pipeline. The upper end of the water flow pipeline is connected with a water supply pipeline, and the lower end of the water flow pipeline is connected with the water outlet device. A connecting pipe connects the container to the fluid supply device. The washing liquid flows into the fluid supply device through a pathway of one-way valves. The fluid supply device is connected to the water outlet device through a washing fluid delivery pipe. The washing liquid in the fluid supply device flows into the water outlet device through the pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tianyu Chen
  • Publication number: 20120160936
    Abstract: A pneumatic dispenser for dispensing viscous material, for example, mastic caulk, from a container is described. The dispenser comprises a fluid supply arrangement for accepting a dispensing nozzle of the container and providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the dispensing nozzle to enable the material to be dispensed as a spray. A moveable member can be used to control the flow of pressurized fluid, for example a member disposed on a cap for closing a container containing compartment of the dispenser and/or a moveable member disposed around the dispensing nozzle. The arrangement of the fluid supply arrangement allows for convenient control of the pressurized fluid flow for spraying the material. Also disclosed is a dispenser with a readily exchangeable pressure application interface for applying a dispensing pressure to the container, enabling the dispenser to be used with both cartridge and foil pack containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Brummitt
  • Publication number: 20120000993
    Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held spray dispensing device includes an internal source of pressurized fluid that exerts a motive force on a pair of liquid ejecting elements to cause each to eject a liquid into a discharge line. The liquids remain separated until each exits its discharge port. A pressurized fluid is directed over the outlet ends of the discharge line beginning before a flow interrupter in the discharge line is opened to permit flow therethrough and ceasing after liquid flow is terminated. The pressurized fluid flow over the outlet of the discharge line aerosolizes liquids emanating from the outlet ends. Each liquid ejecting element takes the form of a piston disposed within a cylinder. The pistons responds to pressurized fluid imposed directly thereon from the source to generate the motive force on the ejecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: DONALD H. BRUNK, William Gerald Dimaio, JR.
  • Patent number: 8083003
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher (50, 50?, 50?) comprises a container (10, 10?) that holds a fire-extinguishing substance and that has a container jacket (12, 12?) closed at both ends, and a piston (20, 20?) which is axially displaceable in the container jacket and which separates a space (22, 22?) for fire-extinguishing substance from an expansion space (24, 24?) in the container. According to the invention, an inner compressed-gas chamber (26, 26?) provided in the container (10, 10?) is spatially separate from the expansion space and serves for controlled pressurizing of the expansion space (24, 24?). The piston (20, 20?) is arranged such that it can be displaced along the compressed-gas chamber (26, 26?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Luxembourg Patent Company S.A.
    Inventors: Frank Felten, Karl Bermes
  • Publication number: 20110272487
    Abstract: This invention is related to a portable texture-spraying apparatus for uniformly dispersing a viscous material. This apparatus broadly includes a tank assembly having a body with an inner wall that defines a sealed cavity, and a piston assembly slidably disposed within the sealed cavity. The piston assembly divides the sealed cavity into an air-side chamber and a material-side chamber by providing an airtight seal therebetween. Additionally an air-control assembly is provided that broadly includes a pressure-control mechanism configured for receiving compressed air and routing a controlled pneumatic pressure to a directional valve configured for adjusting between a dispensing mode and a loading mode. In dispensing mode, the directional valve routes the controlled pneumatic pressure to the air-side chamber biasing the piston assembly toward the material-side chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: John Reynolds, Troy Thurber
  • Publication number: 20110198413
    Abstract: A handheld airless fluid dispensing device comprises a pump, a drive element and an orifice element. The pump directly pressurizes a fluid. The drive element supplies power to the pump. The orifice element is connected to the pump and atomizes un-thinned architectural coating to a particle size of no greater than approximately 150 microns. The pump generates orifice pressures up to approximately 2.48 MPa and the orifice has an area of approximately 18.7 mm2. In one embodiment, the pump, drive element and orifice element are integrated into a handheld housing. In one embodiment, the pump comprises a reciprocating piston fluid pump comprising at least two pumping chambers configured to be actuated out of phase by at least one piston. In another embodiment, the reciprocating piston fluid pump comprises two pistons having different displacements that are linearly actuated by a wobble assembly driven by a gear reducer and an electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Graco Minnestoa Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Jerry D. Horning, William M. Blenkush, Eric J. Finstad, Bradley H. Hines, Mariusz J. Luczak, Diane Olson, Philp K. Snider, Harold D. Johnson, Jimmy Wing Sum Tam
  • Patent number: 7905429
    Abstract: Dispensing systems for dispensing one or more materials into a fluid flow conduit, during the conveyance of fluid through the conduit are configured to connect to a fluid conduit, such as a standard pipe of a shower arm and dispense a material into the water flow in the shower arm. The system includes a first tube member having a restrictor flow passage to provide a pressure differential, as fluid flows through the tube member. The pressure differential created within the restrictor passage by the fluid flow is communicated to a flask, to provide a pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of a flexible container within the flask. The pressure differential causes material within the flexible container to be drawn out and conveyed to the fluid flowing through the tube member. The flask may be connected to the first tube member, through an extension portion that is rotatable around the first tube member for convenient positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan David Somerfield, Thomas Jay Sandusky
  • Patent number: 7878425
    Abstract: A conventional liquid spray gun having a compressed air supply equipped with a liquid, e.g. paint, container for supplying the liquid to be sprayed onto a target surface. The container has a closed bottom, an open top and a cylindrical sidewall. A removable cover is attached over the open top of the container, and the cover has a pair of apertures extending through it, one of which holds a proximal end of a rigid tube whose distal end extends to a point close to the container's bottom. Slidingly mounted on the rigid tube is a generally circular, movable plunger whose periphery engages the cylindrical sidewall of the container. Pressurized air injected through the second aperture in the cover forces the plunger against the liquid's surface and causes the liquid to flow through the lumen of the rigid tube to the liquid inlet port of the spray gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Handzel, Joseph W. Kieffer, Christopher J. Sulzer, Christopher W. Carleton
  • Patent number: 7699052
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a propellant-gas-free apparatus for the dispensing of liquids, a container cartridge suitable for this for storing the liquid and the ensemble comprising both. The invention comprises a device for the exertion of pressure and for accommodating a container cartridge and a container cartridge in which the dispensing facility is integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joerg Schiewe, Gilbert Wuttke, Bernd Zierenberg, Stephen Dunne, Horst Wergen
  • Patent number: 7588198
    Abstract: The present invention is a dispenser adapted to be coupled to a fluid container. The dispenser comprises a dispensing head, an energy source, and a fluid pathway. The dispensing head includes a fluid pump, a motor adapted to power the pump, a trigger adapted to control the motor, and a nozzle orifice in fluid communication with a discharge end of the pump. The fluid pathway has one portion in fluid communication with an intake end of the pump and another portion inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Marcellus Rambo Benson, James Augustus Keefe, III, Joseph Lee McGowan
  • Publication number: 20090152376
    Abstract: A fluid-handling device, such as a lawn-and-garden water sprayer, includes a plurality of elastic bladders that are filled via a common manifold. To ensure that all the bladders can be filled without one bladder over expanding or emptying into another one, the fluid-handling device includes a plurality of limit valves in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of bladders. When filling the bladders, the limit valves are open to convey fluid from the manifold to the bladders. In some examples of the invention, each individual limit valve will close automatically in response to its respective bladder having reached a predetermined expanded length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Robert J. Harter
  • Patent number: 7448557
    Abstract: A substance dispersing apparatus having a cartridge used to deliver substances for the cosmetic, medical, dental, automotive, construction, and other industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: STT Product Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaines Thomas Ray, Thomas Anderson Agee, August Karnell Doner, Sig Lane, Shawn Michael Stotts
  • Patent number: 7325622
    Abstract: Extinguishing-medium container includes a tubular body (2) which can be coupled together with a first and a second end piece (5, 6), which second end piece (6) has at least one outlet duct (33) for ejection of extinguishing medium (26) by a propulsion member (30) The extinguishing-medium container (1) can be charged with extinguishing medium (26) in the whole of its inner space bounded by the inner side (71) of the tubular body (2), the first and second end piece (5, 6) and a separation element (29), which separation element (29) is, in a charged state, arranged closely adjacent to the first end piece (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Dafo Brand AB
    Inventor: Kjell Sjostrom
  • Patent number: 7316360
    Abstract: A nozzle comprising a thin, flexible substantially planar polymeric film having a plurality of pores with structures allowing for generation of an aerosol at reduced extrusion pressure is disclosed. The pores can comprise at least two sections, or steps, in which the thickness of the membrane is reduced in stepwise fashion, or the pores can be tapered. Nozzles formed comprising pores having such structures permit aerosol generation at lower extrusion pressures, thereby allowing for decreased weight of aerosolization devices, increased efficiency, increased portability and increased battery life. The pore structures also allow for the use of thicker, more easily processed polymeric films in manufacturing while having a thinner, more efficient aerosolization area. The use of decreased extrusion pressures also results in increased uniformity in aerosol generation and improved reliability of other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Aradigm Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh S. Patel, Sudarsan Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 7281672
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing fluid including a pressure vessel at a first pressure and a reservoir at a second pressure. The reservoir communicates with the pressure vessel via a first aperture and with an environment at a third pressure via a second aperture. A reservoir vent having open and closed positions, that when opened the reservoir vents to a fourth pressure, and when closed the reservoir does not vent. A piston moveably disposed within the reservoir, and defines an aperture therethrough. A first burst seal disposed in the first aperture seals the pressure vessel from the reservoir, and engaged with the piston to be moveable therewith. A second burst seal disposed in the second aperture seals the reservoir from the environment. When the reservoir vents to the fourth pressure, the piston ruptures the second seal, and a first and third pressure difference ruptures the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Kidde-Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Karalis, Raymond A. Stacy, Richard Zaven Karadizian, James E. Marquedant, Neil O Brillhart, William Mahoney
  • Patent number: 7108074
    Abstract: The apparatus (1e, 1f) according to the invention has a storage tank (5) which is or can be filled with an active substance (3), a pyrotechnic charge (6; 39) in a first end region (9) of the storage tank (5), a cartridge-case base (13) which can be driven by propellant gases of the fired charge (6; 39) in order to drive the active substance (3) out, and has a unit (7) for atomizing the active substance (3) being driven out, and at least one sensor (35a; 35b) which interacts with the charge (6; 39) in order to initiate the latter. The atomizer unit (7) is formed as an atomizer pipe (7) having a plurality of outlet nozzles (15) in the pipe casing in order to fill a spatial region (14) with a mist of the material of the active substance (3). One (18) of the ends of the atomizer pipe (7) is arranged in a second tank end region (19), facing away from the first and extending from the latter. The apparatus is distinguished by a compact and economical configuration with good automatic filling of a space with mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Piexon AG
    Inventors: Jürg Thomann, Raphael Fleischhauer
  • Patent number: 7093774
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for injecting a pulsed supersonic gas flux, including a first chamber (2) inside which the gas to be injected is found under pressure on either side of a free piston (4), the device comprising means (12) for setting this free piston into motion, connected to the first chamber and able to cause propulsion of the free piston (4), the device further including a supersonic nozzle (6) able to communicate with the first chamber via an aperture (8), and also including a valve (10) closing up the aperture (8) and able to be actuated by percussion of the free piston (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Gilles Martin
  • Patent number: 7048145
    Abstract: A liquid delivery apparatus includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet, and a valve between the vessel and the outlet. The valve has an opening, a closure member for closing the opening, and a biasing means to hold the valve in a normally-closed position. A valve control mechanism controls operation of the valve in response to pressure of liquid and air in the vessel. A transmitting means transmits the pressure to the valve control mechanism. The valve control mechanism includes a moveable element that can be acted on by the pressure in the vessel and transmit a resultant force to the closure member to thereby open the valve. The respective effective surface areas of the moveable element and the closure member and the force of the biasing means are chosen such that the closure member is openable when the pressure in the vessel reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: David Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6997399
    Abstract: A spraying system for the application of fertilizer, insecticides, fungicides, etc. to plants, vegetables, small trees and lawns. The spraying system presents several improvements over the original Lacy Sprayer (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,852) inclusive an improved bladder attachment and improved bladder design, and a new pressure-limiting flow restrictor to ensure safe operation, and a spray discharge fitting incorporating a porous filter to protect the bladder from excessive stresses. The spray hose is connected to this assembly. The improved system facilitates a method of use in which the tank containing the spray solution is placed stationery in an area to be sprayed. The operator attaches a long (30?+ or ?) small diameter spray hose for remote spraying within a radius permitted by the spray hose. The spraying system avoids the need to pump or to carry a heavy tank while spraying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Jack Lacy
  • Patent number: 6997394
    Abstract: An air freshener dispenser mechanism is incorporated into a door knob whereby when a door is pushed open, air freshener is dispensed into a room in advance of a person entering the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Evie Washington
  • Patent number: 6769632
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a coating material, including: a coating material tank (2) for storing a high-viscosity coating material; a solvent tank (6) for storing a dilution solvent; a mixing machine (11) for mixing the high-viscosity coating material and the dilution solvent; a metering pump (5) for supplying the high-viscosity coating material from the coating material tank (2) to the mixing machine (11); and a solvent pump (9) for supplying the dilution solvent from the solvent tank (6) to the mixing machine (11), wherein the coating material tank (2) is a pressure tank which allows the high-viscosity coating material to be fed under the pressure of compressed air and the metering pump (5) supplies the high-viscosity coating material fed from the coating material tank (2) under the pressure of compressed air to the mixing machine (11) while quantifying the flow rate of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6742722
    Abstract: A paint cartridge is provided with a wash fluid passage in communication with a paint chamber, along with a wash fluid valve adapted to open and close the wash fluid passage. Provided on the side of a replenishing stool are a replenishing valve which supplies or discharges paint to or from the paint chamber, an extruding thinner feed/discharge valve which supplies or discharges paint-extruding thinner to or from an extruding thinner chamber, and a wash fluid supply valve which supplies a wash fluid to the paint chamber through the wash fluid passage. Accordingly, upon opening the replenishing valve, wash fluid supply valve and wash fluid valve, a wash fluid from the wash fluid supply valve is allowed to flow into the paint chamber through the wash fluid passage and discharged through a feed tube to wash away deposited paint therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Toshio Hosoda, Hidetsugu Matsuda, Osamu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6598807
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a casing with an opened end for receiving a liquid and a holding end where the liquid is stored. Between the open end and the holding end there narrow neck. A ball is placed into the opened end of the casing, so that lodging the ball into the neck will seal the neck area so that the liquid contained within the holding area will remain in the holding area until the ball is dislodged upon impact. Attached to the opened end of the casing is a nozzle. The nozzle serves two purposes, first it assures that the liquid contained within the casing does not quickly run out of the device upon impact minimizing the spray area covered by the liquid. Additionally the nozzle contains a number of holes distributed throughout the surface of said nozzle, so that the passage of liquid through the nozzle will cause the device to flail erratically, further maximizing the area sprayed by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: John Anzalone
  • Patent number: 6588929
    Abstract: A portable mixing and dispensing apparatus, especially useful for spraying, including a fluid conducting, mixing and supporting framework for the hydraulic unit in the apparatus. The framework includes spaced end plates and a conduit assembly. Each end plate has a cylinder head portion forming part of the cylinder of the hydraulic unit, an upper mounting flange, and a lower flange. The conduit assembly includes an intermediate conduit/handle and a pair of end units. The end units are nearly identical and are secured to the end plates so as to constitute unitary structures therewith, releasably connected to opposite ends of the cylinder body of the hydraulic unit and to the intermediate conduit/handle, thereby enabling easy access to the cylinder body and piston in the body. Each end unit includes an outlet conduit and an end conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Kelly N. Dornbush
  • Patent number: 6540835
    Abstract: A scratch resistant coating application system for a vehicle includes: a pump having an output opening where a first end of a discharging line is connected, the pump storing aqueous emulsion; a feeder having an input opening where a second end of the discharging line is connected and an output opening where a first end of a feeding line is connected, the feeder releasing regulated aqueous emulsion into the feeding line; a sprayer connected to a second end of the feeding line for spraying the aqueous emulsion out to atmosphere; a robot having a robot arm on which the feeder and the sprayer are mounted, the robot arm carrying the sprayer; a visual system mounted on a ceiling of a work area for detecting a vehicle's position; and a central control unit electrically connected to the pump, the feeder, the robot, and the visual system for controlling the pump, the feeder, and the robot on the basis of data from the feeder and the visual system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byung-Jo Kim, Seong-Ku Jang
  • Patent number: 6371213
    Abstract: A device for discharging a fire retardant material comprising a housing capable of storing a fire retardant material. The housing has an initiator attached to a first end, while a discharging port is attached at a second end. Additionally, sealed within the housing is a driver which forces the fire retardant material towards the discharging port. The driver follows a path defined by a bypass tube located centrally within the housing. The driver is forced along the path by exit gases created by the initiator attached at the first end. The housing also has a choke assembly located near the second end thereof. The choke assembly selectively controls the rate at which the fire retardant material and the pressurized gases exit through the discharging port. The choke assembly has a choke body with a first and second cavity. Furthermore, choke body has passageways and apertures for directing the flow of both the fire retardant material and the pressurized gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, William B. Richardson, David W. Parkinson, E. Lee Helms
  • Patent number: 6338441
    Abstract: An automatic coating apparatus which is arranged to guarantee higher operational reliability, particularly to preclude coating defects as caused by malfunctioning of a cartridge gripper (56) or by the use of an non-replenished or deficiently replenished paint cartridge. A cartridge gripper assembly (55) is constituted by a gripper member (56) with gripper claws for gripping a paint cartridge (25), a grip detector switch (67) which is adapted to detect whether or not the paint cartridge (25) is securely gripped by the gripper. (56), and a replenishment level detector switch (68) which is adapted to detect whether or not the paint cartridge (25) is replenished with paint to a predetermined extent. Therefore, as the paint cartridge (25) is gripped by the cartridge gripper (56), the grip condition on the paint cartridge (25) can be monitor by the grip detector switch (67).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: ABB K. K.
    Inventors: Norio Umezawa, Toshio Hosoda, Osamu Yoshida, Toshiaki Nakano
  • Patent number: 6279838
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a lightweight dolly for transporting spray equipment including a container of liquid, battery power pack and optional charger unit, hose reel, and spray gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Empire Spraying Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Sivells, Barbara A. Sivells
  • Patent number: 6244523
    Abstract: A pressurized injector comprises a barrel, an injecting end fastened with one end of the barrel, a piston disposed in other end of the barrel and provided with a pull rod fastened therewith. The piston contains a liquid propellant, which reacts with a powdered propellant contained in a pressure chamber of the barrel to produce gas at such time when the pull rod of the piston is pulled. The gas pressure forces the piston to move toward the injecting end, thereby resulting in the ejection of a filling material contained in the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Chang-Chou Chung
  • Patent number: 6164561
    Abstract: By provision of paint cartridges of different colors which are detachably mounted on a coating system, the paint can be changed from one color to another in a multi-color coating operation without necessitating to discharge residues of a previous color. The paint cartridge of each color is replaceably mounted on a housing. Each cartridge is provided with a paint valve (46) which functions to communicate and shut off a paint supply passage in a feed tube. In addition, a thinner valve which serves to communicate and shut off a thinner passage on the housing is provided either on the side of the housing or on the side of the cartridge. These arrangements make it possible to cope with multiple color changes on one coating system. Since both of the paint valve and thinner valve are opened and closed by spray-on and spray-off command signals, respectively, the paint spray can be turned on and off immediately in response to these command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Hidetsugu Matsuda, Toshio Hosoda
  • Patent number: 6070808
    Abstract: A mobile spraying and cleaning apparatus is provided in the form or a wheeled cart. The cart includes a lower housing that supports and carries a reservoir. The reservoir sits atop the housing over a chamber that contains a fluid pump. Cleaning fluid from the reservoir flows by gravity feed to the pump, and pressurized cleaning fluid is discharged through a spray nozzle coupled to the end of a hose. By wheeling the cart into an area to be cleaned, the user can then use the pressurized spray to clean the area. Preferably, the unit is molded of durable plastic and presents a smooth, attractive exterior that is easy to keep clean and professional looking. If desired, an anti-microbial agent can be added to the plastic to inhibit microbial growth on the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Hygeian Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard D Kildow
  • Patent number: 6048181
    Abstract: This invention provides a power delivery device (10) for delivering a fixed volume of flowable material to a specific site, the power delivery device (10) comprising pumping means (14) for forcing a predetermined volume of the flowable material through at least one flow path (38,40) of the power delivery device (10) by means of line pressure exerted on the flowable material; and valve means (12), operatively connected to the pumping means (14), for selectively opening and closing the at least one flow path (38, 40) through which the flowable material moves such that the predetermined volume of flowable material can be sprayed out of the power sprayer (10) when the at least one flow path (40) is open and can be redirected to fill the power sprayer (10) when the at least one flow path (40) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: International Agriproducts Corporation
    Inventor: In-Kook Chang
  • Patent number: 6016937
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for delivering grout or other material, in either a single column or a plurality of spaced apart columns, is comprised of a body member having a pneumatic chamber with a pair of end caps attached to opposing ends. A piston is adapted to slide within the pneumatic chamber. A discharge nozzle having at least one discharge port is removably attached to one of the end caps. A control system controls fluid flow communication between the pneumatic chamber and the discharge nozzle. A pair of valves are attached to the end of the body member opposite the discharge nozzle end. One of the valves controls fluid flow communication between the pneumatic chamber and a source of pressurized gas while the other valve acts as an air relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Charles L. Clay
  • Patent number: 5950764
    Abstract: A device for lubricating a rotatable member such as a hollow shaft on which another member is axially displaceable, has a lubricant container received in the hollow shaft and in which a piston is displaceable by a gas generated by a gas-generating cell or by a motor-driven spindle. The electrical circuit includes a centrifugal-force sensor received in the container and having switches connected in that circuit so that when a certain speed of rotation is reached, the lubricant is dispensed and the circuit is de-energized upon standstill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Claus Helbig
  • Patent number: 5564629
    Abstract: An apparatus (20, 30) operative from a first liquid pressure only and configured to generate and selectively direct a stream of first liquid or a third liquid is disclosed. Since no electrical power is used, the apparatus can be safely operated in any moist environments (e.g. a shower). In preferred embodiments, the apparatus is configured to operate in series with a showerhead (22) and a sink tap (32) for dental irrigation. Either water or dental solution which is comprised of water mixed with dental concentrate, can be independently selected. A mixer valve (48) controls the concentration of the irrigating solution. A handheld syringe (40) contains all other controls necessary for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: William R. Weissman
    Inventors: William R. Weissman, Peter Liapis, George Sanchez, Bernardo Baran
  • Patent number: 5558277
    Abstract: A pneumatic applicator for shear thinning viscous coating materials that includes a nozzle having a through material opening, and a distal end surface at an outlet end of the nozzle, an air operated system for dispensing viscous material at a steady rate through the nozzle, and an air directing housing defining, with the outer surface of the nozzle, an air chamber around the nozzle. The air directing housing includes a front end having a distal surface and defines an air outlet opening for the air chamber from an inner surface to the distal surface of the air directing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ian R. Owen, Alan G. McKown
  • Patent number: 5535951
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a fine spray mist to cool a localized area by evaporative cooling. The apparatus consists of a pressurizable tank, a valve for activating the release of fluid from the pressurizable tank, and a spray nozzle or a plurality of spray nozzles coupled to the valve by a quick connect coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Steven Utter
  • Patent number: 5375766
    Abstract: A hot melt adhesive dispensing apparatus comprises a housing including a supply chamber for receiving and holding a solid adhesive, an electrically powered heater, and a spray nozzle assembly. A pneumatically actuated plunger pushes solid adhesive towards the melt chamber wherein the solid adhesive is progressively melted for passage into the spray nozzle assembly which includes a plurality of air jets which impinge upon the stream of melted adhesive exiting a nozzle to create an adhesive spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: The Dexter Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen J. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 5318225
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming a liquid spray mixture containing accurately proportionated amounts of viscous coating concentrate and compressed fluid diluent such as carbon dioxide. The proportionation is accomplished by passing the fluid diluent through two sets of flow restrictors under the same pressure drops to form two proportioned flows of diluent. One diluent flow is converted by volumetric displacement to an equal flow of liquid concentrate, which is mixed with the other diluent flow to form the liquid spray mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Condron
  • Patent number: 5316215
    Abstract: A liquid delivery apparatus including a reservoir into which liquid may be introduced to pressurize the reservoir, an outlet for discharging liquid under the pressure in the reservoir, a valve to control passage of liquid from the reservoir to the outlet, a control mechanism controlling operation of the valve, and a way to transmit the pressure in the reservoir to the valve control mechanism. The valve includes an opening, a closure member for closing the opening, and a biasing spring, the arrangement of which being such that the valve is normally held closed under the force of the biasing spring and the pressure of the liquid in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: David Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5310120
    Abstract: An electrostatic device for spraying electrically conductive liquid coating product comprises a storage tank for the product in which the product is at a high voltage. The tank is defined in a substantially cylindrical cavity formed in an insulative material body and inside in which is a piston forming in the cavity a mobile wall separating a coating product chamber from an actuation chamber filled with an electrically insulative actuation fluid. The body is fixed to a conductive material socket which is grounded and to which is connected an actuation fluid supply circuit extending between the socket and the actuation chamber and discharging into the actuation chamber near a back wall of the cavity which is not in contact with the coating product. A section of the supply circuit runs substantially parallel to the cavity in the direction away from the socket starting from the back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Sames S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Ehinger, Djamel Merabet
  • Patent number: 5292036
    Abstract: A storage tank for a liquid product such as a coating product to be sprayed comprises an internal piston dividing the storage tank into a first chamber receiving the coating product under pressure and a second chamber receiving a pressurized actuator fluid. The piston is mechanically coupled to a step mode actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Sames S.A.
    Inventor: Caryl Thome
  • Patent number: 5203504
    Abstract: A method of preparing a mixture of a carrier liquid and an active liquid in required proportion including: providing a flow of carrier liquid, controlling a liquid flow to an appropriate portion of the carrier liquid flow from pressure drop measurements of the proportional liquid flow, displacing active liquid with the proportional liquid flow without liquid contact, and including the displaced active liquid in the carrier liquid flow, thereby producing a liquid mixture in the required proportion without a flow meter. The mixed liquid may be used in at least one of a sprayer and a nutrient film equipment. The displacement medium may be provided from the carrier liquid supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: British Technology Group Limited
    Inventors: Andrew R. Frost, John A. Marchant
  • Patent number: 5203507
    Abstract: An air powered sprayer for dispensing material slurries such as stucco or texturing on substrate such as drywall. The sprayer includes a canister assembly within which a piston assembly is adapted to reside and reciprocate along the length of the canister. An air inlet is disposed at one end of the piston canister assembly, and at an opposite end, a slurry inlet and outlet device is provided. Upstream from the slurry outlet there is a nozzle assembly which allows the through passage of the slurry material for subsequent combination with air at a nozzle assembly for broadcasting on the surface to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: Richard H. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5061454
    Abstract: A high pressure spray injector having an injector body with an interior cavity and a pedestal located within this cavity, the pedestal having an interior cavity and firmly attached to the bottom of the injector body. Coaxial with the injector body and the pedestal is an annular piston having an end cap and an interior cavity within. The annular piston is in sliding contact with the injector body and the pedestal. A stationary piston is coaxially located within the annular piston and also has an interior cavity. At the end of the stationary piston is a nozzle with an orifice. The annular pistion is also in sliding contact with the stationary piston. A pintle rod is located within the stationary piston to open and close the orifice in the nozzle. As the annular piston is caused to move upward, a fluid is injected in the top part of the annular piston and the interior of the stationary piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Aviezer Birk