5565results about "Closures" patented technology

The present invention relates to a droplet microreactor, i.e. a microreactor consisting of a droplet of a specific liquid, the microreactor being wall-less, wherein the interface of the specific liquid with the ambient environment and with the support on which the droplet is deposited defines the limits of the microreactor. The microreactor is characterized in that it consists of a droplet comprising at least one ionic liquid. The present invention also relates to methods for carrying out chemical or biochemical reactions and/or mixes using said droplet microreactor, and also to a lab-on-chip comprising a microreactor according to the invention.

A cartridge connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed. The cartridge comprises an outer casing and an inner flexible liner containing fuel for the fuel cell. The inner flexible liner may have an insert disposed inside the inner liner to facilitate the transport of fuel from the cartridge to the fuel cell. The insert minimizes the fuel that is trapped within the cartridge. The inner flexible liner can be used without the outer casing. The outer casing can be substantially rigid or flexible. The cartridge is also adaptable to receive byproducts from the fuel cell. The cartridge can also be pressurized to push fuel to the fuel cell. Unidirectional relief valves are also disclosed to prevent internal pressure in the cartridge from becoming too high or too low.

An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow rate sensor and a valve. The flow rate sensor uses images to estimate flow through a drip chamber and then controls the valve based on the estimated flow rate. The valve comprises a rigid housing disposed around the tube in which fluid flow is being controlled. Increasing the pressure in the housing controls the size of the lumen within the tube by deforming the tube, therefore controlling flow through the tube.

A single use unit dosage dispensing closure includes a shell attached to a container with an integral piecing member, an axial movable cap attached to the shell and a sealing member coupled to the cap. The shell has an inner guide in communication with the container and the cap is moveable along the guide. The cap has a chamber adapted to dispense material into the container. The chamber is sealed with the sealing member extending across a lower open end thereof, wherein axial movement of the cap along the inner guide member will cause the sealing member to be pieced by the piercing member to open the chamber and dispense the contents of the chamber into the container. The axial movable cap is formed from a material with a higher oxygen and moisture barrier property than the material forming the shell.

Improved no-spill drinking products including a nipple or soft spout having a valve incorporated therein. The valve is designed to provide an enhanced no-spill function providing an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the nipple or spout when the user is not drinking therefrom.

An improved outlet tube device for a urinary drainage bag is disclosed wherein an outlet valve mechanism is contained with a rigid housing fixed securely to the drainage bag, rather than just being clamped to the outlet tubing, and thus cannot become separated from the bag. The outlet valve can be opened only by positive action on the part of the medical care personnel, thereby assuring that urine will be discharged only in a controlled manner. Further, because the valve mechanism does not require that a substantial length of tubing with a freely movable end be used in conjunction with the outlet port, there is no need to engage the free end of the tubing with a keeper. Thus the possibility of the tubing springing back to its straight configuration and flicking residual urine on the attending medical personnel is eliminated. In one embodiment the outlet tube device comprises a pinchcock-type valve which is fixedly mounted to the bag and which is normally operative to clamp off the outlet tube. In a second embodiment the outlet tube device comprises a syringetype fitting which is fixedly mounted to the bag. Depressing the syringe plunger closes the valve, and retracting the plunger opens the valve to permit fluid to be discharged through the outlet tube. In a third embodiment, a hose clamp is contained within a rigid housing and is selectively operative to clamp a hose to prevent fluid flow therethrough.

This invention relates to resealable closure systems that are useful in containers, such as those used in packaging goods. The reclosure system features cohesive layers which are bonded to each other to provide a resealable closure. The cohesive bond layers are separable to provide opening of the container and access to the interior of the container and/or contents. The cohesive layers have low blocking characteristics. The reclosure systems are useful for flexible packaging, such as polymeric film and cloth packages, and rigid packaging, such as fiberboard, cardboard, paper, and polymeric foam. The reclosure systems may be opened and resealed multiple times. The closure system is resistance to contamination by oils, debris, solvents, and water. The reclosure is cold sealable with finger pressure.

A locking container has a tray with sidewalls, a shelf and a bottom with an elongated opening. A sliding lock and a spring are formed in the bottom opening. A lock flap is hinged to the shelf. A cover has a base glued to the tray bottom, a spine end and a top panel. A latch extension extends form the flap through holes in the shelf and top panel. Sliding the lock with a finger or thumb and lifting with fingers both side sections of the flap releases the latch extension and allows raising of the top panel. Articles are held in bubbles of an inner laminate on the panel.

A collapsible, soft-sided, insulated cooler or other container having a top, a sidewall having a sidewall top connected to the rim of the top and a bottom connected at a sidewall bottom, opposite the top. The top includes a zipper or other closure that extends from a first point to a second point on the rim of the top in a line along a radial segment, traversing a central region of the top. The sidewall comprises an inner layer, an outer shell and an insulating material disposed therebetween. The sidewall further includes a spring wire that extends between the bottom and top of the container that biases the cooler to a fully expanded configuration for use and that is compressible for storage by pressing down on the top.

A reagent dispensing valve particularly adapted for dispensing precise microfluidic quantities of fluids. The valve includes a valve portion and a solenoid actuator that are in fluid isolation from one another. The valve portion includes a plunger and seat combination and the actuator is substantially decoupled from the fluid path through the valve. The fluid path through the valve is substantially non-tortuous, thereby minimizing localized fluid pressure drops, and hence undesirable gaseous bubble precipitation within the fluid. The valve is also configured to substantially prevent bubble accumulation. The valve can further include a bubble trap for trapping and removing bubbles.

A splashless lid device for dispensing fluid contained in a drinking container, wherein the container includes a lip portion which defines an opening into the container. A mounting portion is configured to sealingly engage the lip portion of the container and to be removable. A top cover is coupled to the mounting portion and extends substantially laterally across the container opening when the mounting portion is sealingly engaged with the container lip. The top cover includes a top wall and a bottom wall cooperating to define an interior cavity. The top wall has a drinking port in flow communication with the interior cavity. The bottom wall defines a baffle opening which extends into the interior cavity and is adapted to reduce splashing of fluid through the opening fluid dispensed from the container must pass through the baffle opening and into the interior cavity before passing through the drinking port.

A smokeless tobacco product is provided. A tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of that product comprises a water-permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation that includes a granular tobacco composition and miraculin.

A water-based coating composition suitable for preparing hydrophilic surfaces on various articles is provided which includes a supporting polymer having functional moieties capable of undergoing crosslinking reactions, said supporting polymer soluble in or emulsified in an aqueous based medium; and a hydrophilic polymer, said hydrophilic polymer associated with the supporting polymer. The composition is characterized in that, when crosslinked at the functional moieties, the supporting polymer forms a three-dimensional network which substantially minimizes disassociation of the hydrophilic polymer.

The invention relates to a combination of a first container and a second container to form a dispensing unit. The first and second containers each have a reservoir for a liquid substance and pump which is secured to the reservoir, can be actuated by hand and has a dispensing opening and a pump-actuating button for dispensing substance from the reservoir. The combination also comprises coupling means for coupling together the first and second containers in a position next to one another. The invention is characterized in that the coupling means comprise: one or more first coupling members, which are each arranged on the first container, and one or more second coupling means, which are each arranged on the second container and which can each be directly coupled to an associated first coupling member on the first container. It is preferable for a first coupling member and an associated second coupling member each to be arranged fixedly on the assembly of reservoir and pump of the associated container in order to create a stable coupling between the assemblies reservoir and pump of the two containers.

A container assembly and method for storing, treating, transporting and stabilizing a biological sample includes a container, a closure member and a sample holder removably received in the container. The sample holder can be a platform-like device dimensioned to be supported on a ledge formed in the side wall of the container. The sample holder includes a central cavity for receiving the sample and immersing the sample in the stabilizing agent in the container. The closure member includes a body member to close the top end of the central cavity of the sample holder and to limit movement of the sample holder in the container. In another embodiment, the sample holder has a closure cap for closing the open top end of the cavity. The container includes a liquid reagent in an amount sufficient to treat the biological sample. The biological sample is retained in a predetermined containment area of the container to maintain the biological sample immersed in the reagent without regard to the orientation of the container.

Provided is a sensor operative to track changes in a liquid level of a hand-held liquid container, the sensor comprising: an ultrasonic liquid-level sensor configured to indicate a liquid level of a liquid in a hand-held liquid container, wherein the ultrasonic liquid-level sensor is capable of indicating the liquid level when the surface of the liquid is less than 20 centimeters away from the ultrasonic liquid-level sensor; a radio transmitter; and a processor configured to draw power from a portable power source, receive liquid-level indications from the ultrasonic liquid-level sensor, and cause the radio transmitter to transmit data indicative of changes in the liquid level.

The invention pertains to an emptying device for large-volume receptacles which consists of an auxiliary transport apparatus that is composed of at least four uprights, on the lower ends of which one respective stacking leg is arranged and in the lower end of which one respective lifting mechanism is arranged. This lifting mechanism can be connected to the carrying straps of the large-volume receptacle by means of carrying strap holders, wherein the uprights are respectively connected to one another by means of transverse braces in their lower region in order to accommodate a bottom plate. The bottom plate contains a central opening for accommodating a shutter mechanism with a shutter that is situated in a base plate arranged on the bottom plate and can be actuated by means of a hand crank.

A container assembly for storing and stabilizing a biological sample includes a container, a closure cap and a sample holder coupled to the closure cap and removably received in the container. The sample holder can be a basket-like device coupled to an inner face of the cap and includes a central cavity for receiving the sample and immersing the sample in the reagent in the container. The closure cap includes a body member with a dimension to displace a volume of air and reduce the head space to ensure that the sample holder is completely immersed in the reagent. The sample holder has a closure member for closing the open top end of the cavity.

A device for protection of property against high winds comprising a flexible material of predetermined strength and stretch characteristics, and in the form of a panel or several panels, utilized to protect the side of a structure including its windows and doors from the strong winds and debris impacts occurring during a hurricane. The device is anchored in a manner to space it out from the area being protected according to formula provided, and can safely dissipate substantial impacting energy. The preferred embodiment attaches to an overhanging eave and the ground below protecting in addition to the windows and doors, plantings, outdoor furniture, decorative shutters, downspouts, and such as are enclosed behind the barrier. Several methods of storage and deployment of said curtain are described including rolling, sliding, and converting to awning. The barrier has the added feature of acting as a tie down in certain applications.

A lid assembly for a travel mug, comprising a top shell portion having a top drink aperture and top drink passage extending downwardly therefrom; a bottom member engaged with a bottom portion of the top shell portion, the bottom member having a wall that receives the top drink passage on a top end, and having a bottom drink aperture through a bottom end; a valve member having a portion that normally closes the bottom drink aperture; and an actuator assembly comprising a camming member that biases the valve member away from the bottom drink aperture to open the bottom drink aperture.

A dispenser is provided for delivering a controlled quantity of a granular material. The dispenser includes a container assembly, a diffuser and a metering cup. The container includes a reservoir which supports a disposable cartridge of granular material. The cartridge is supported in the reservoir so as to define a passageway therebetween. A nozzle is defined for the outflow of material from the cartridge. The diffuser is disposed on one end of the container and includes a plurality of apertures. The metering cup is disposed on the opposite end of the container and has an open end adapted to receive granular material. Adjustment of the axial spacing between the nozzle and metering cup varies the quantity of granular material collected in the cup. The granular material is dispensed by inverting the container to a second orientation, such that material flows out of the metering cup, through the passageway and out of the diffuser. The nozzle may serve as a piercing mechanism for opening the disposable cartridge upon its insertion into the reservoir.

A packaging system and method for wireless earpieces. The packaging system includes wireless earpieces includes one or more sensors and a near field communication chip. The near field communication chip communicates with a number of packaging systems adjacent to the packaging system if present. The packaging system further includes packaging defining a window for displaying the wireless earpieces. The packing prevents damage to the wireless earpieces. The packaging performs a display action in response to a display criteria being met.

A dispenser for dispensing charges of fluid from a container and applicable to a mouth of the container with the container in an inverted position and the mouth down. The dispenser includes a body formed of resilient elastomeric material having a hollow annular upper part having a flexible, resilient annular wall and an upper and lower end and constituting a bellows which is downwardly expansible and upwardly contractible by flexing of the annular wall. The body has integral with the bellows a lower part having a discharge port. The dispenser includes a first check valve at an entry end of the bellows operable for flow of fluid into the bellows on expansion thereof and operable to block flow of fluid from the pump member out of its upper end on contraction thereof. A second valve is operable for dispensing the charge of fluid from the bellows down into the outlet nozzle on contraction of the bellows and to block flow out of the bellows outlet on expansion of the bellows. The second check valve has a valve seat member at the intake of the bellows and outlet nozzle, has at least one outlet port below the valve and a spring biased to keep the poppet valve seated against the valve seat such that the fluid is expelled through the poppet valve, outlet nozzle, and outlet port on contraction of the pump member.

A low odor grip is disclosed for a handle of a hand-held implement such as a sports implement or a manual or electric tool which is essentially free of disagreeable odors, which can be installed and quickly shrunk into a tight vapor resistant grip within a matter of a few minutes rather than requiring extended periods of time, and can be installed without the need for any application of heat or use of special tools, equipment or materials. The present device is therefore easy to install, merely sliding over the handle while in dilated state and then allowed to shrink and set by evaporation of the solvent, and thus can be satisfactorily installed in both fabrication facilities and in the field either as an original or replacement grip. The invention also includes an implement fitted with such grip. Representative implements include sports implements such as golf clubs, tennis racquets, weight bars and fishing poles, as well as tools such as hammers, drills, pliers, shovels, axes, and the like. The grip is preferable made of a swellable elastomeric material, preferably a natural or synthetic rubber. Suitable rubbers include EPDM rubber, neoprene or chlorosulfonate polyethylene (Hypalon(TM)) rubber, of which EPDM rubber is preferred.

A filter assembly for an enclosure, particularly for an ostomy bag, is described having an enclosure side, a first layer which is gas permeable, and an adsorbent layer comprising adsorbent particles dispersed in a fine fiber web. The enclosure side of the filter assembly includes an adhesive zone in which adhesive is present having an outer adhesive perimeter and a weld area surrounding at least a portion of the adhesive zone, where the filter assembly is heat-sealable to the enclosure at the weld area. A method of assembly is also described.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.

A medical system comprising apparatus and methods for improved irrigation and lavage in wound management. The device attaches to at least one irrigation fluid source and is configured to administer the fluid indirectly to a wound or tissue.

An ophthalmic dispenser has a rigid housing defining a fluid-receiving chamber, a flexible bladder receivable within the fluid-receiving chamber, a pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid-receiving chamber, and a nozzle having a valve defining an annular, axially-extending valve seat, an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication between the valve seat and the pump, and a flexible valve cover extending about the valve seat and forming an annular, axially-extending interface therebetween. The valve interface is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a normally closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to pumped fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween. A spring is drivingly connected to the housing and moves at least one of the pump and housing relative to the other to actuate the pump. The rigid housing is mountable within a cartridge which, in turn, is mountable within a dispenser housing including an eyelid depressor and a trigger for simultaneously actuating the eyelid depressor and pump.

A closure assembly and rupturable vent seal adapted for use in an electrochemical battery cell is disclosed. The vent seal includes a series of peripheral projections that can be folded to insure proper sealing of the vent without wrinkles or overlapping folded portions. Methods of accomplishing the invention are also contemplated.

A catheter balloon formed of a polymeric material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) bonded to a second layer formed of a low tensile set polymer and/or impregnated with a low tensile set polymer. In a presently preferred embodiment, the low tensile set polymer is a silicone-polyurethane copolymer elastomer or a diene polymer elastomer. The low tensile set polymer has high strength, low modulus, high elongation, and low tensile set. The diene or silicone-polyurethane has a low tensile set, which facilitates deflation of the balloon to a low profile deflated configuration. One aspect of the invention provides improved attachment of the diene to the ePTFE. In one embodiment, the second layer is formed of a diene mixed with a bonding promoter such as a vulcanizing agent which is covalently bonded to the diene.