Dispensing – With relatively movable actuator for outlet element – For nonrotary outlet element reciprocable axially of...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-13
2003-11-18
Jacyna, J. Casimer (Department: 3751)
Dispensing
With relatively movable actuator for outlet element
For nonrotary outlet element reciprocable axially of...
C222S511000, C222S518000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06648186
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Faucets for dispensing liquid from bag-in-box or similar containers are well-known and in widespread use. To achieve commercial success, these faucets must be low-cost, reliable, easy-to-use (even with one hand) and provide adequate flow. While suitable faucets of this type are commercially available, a need has been identified for an improved faucet that provides superior performance and cost-effectiveness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a faucet comprises a body including an inlet passageway having an inlet and an outlet passageway that intersects the inlet passageway. The outlet passageway terminates at an outlet. A push-button actuator has a biasing portion located in the outlet passageway and a button portion that projects outwardly through an opening defined in the body. The button portion is normally biased into a first, extended position by the biasing portion and is selectively manually movable to a second, operative position. A seal member is provided and is adapted to engage and seal the inlet to the inlet passageway. A stem projects from the seal member and is operably coupled to the button portion of the push-button actuator. In this manner, the seal member is normally biased into sealing engagement with the inlet by the biasing portion of the push-button actuator. The seal member is movable out of sealing engagement with the inlet when the button portion of the push-button actuator is moved to its second, operative position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a faucet comprises a body having an inlet, an inlet passageway extending from the inlet, an outlet, and an outlet passageway extending from the outlet and connecting with the inlet passageway. The faucet further comprises a seal adapted for engaging and sealing the inlet. A stem is connected to the seal and projects into the inlet passageway. An actuator is provided an includes a first portion that projects outwardly from the body and a second portion that exerts a biasing force on the first portion that normally urges the first portion to an extended position. The first portion of the actuator is manually movable to an operative position against the biasing force. The stem and seal are operably coupled to the first portion of the actuator and movable therewith. The seal blocks the inlet when the first portion of the actuator is in the extended position. The seal is moved away from the inlet to allow fluid flow into the inlet when the first portion of the actuator is moved to the operative position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a faucet comprises a body adapted for being secured to an associated fluid container. The body includes an inlet, an inlet passageway that communicates with the inlet, an outlet, and an outlet passageway that communicates with both the outlet and the inlet passageway. The faucet further comprises an actuator that is selectively movable between first and second positions. The faucet also comprises a biasing member that normally urges the actuator into its first position. The faucet includes a seal member operably coupled to and movable with the actuator. The seal member is sealingly engaged with the inlet when said actuator is in its first position and is moved out of sealing engagement with the inlet when the actuator is moved to its second position.
One advantage of the present invention resides in the provision of a new and improved faucet.
Still other benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains upon reading this specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 23658 (1859-04-01), Bradford
patent: 29263 (1860-07-01), Flattery
patent: 48407 (1865-06-01), Jenkins
patent: 520436 (1894-05-01), Kirchner et al.
patent: 549678 (1895-11-01), Miller
patent: 588357 (1897-08-01), Rowe
patent: 591228 (1897-10-01), Goltermann
patent: 950801 (1910-03-01), Barr
patent: 1186676 (1916-06-01), Osterbauer
patent: 1316585 (1919-09-01), Logan
patent: 1722103 (1929-07-01), McFarlan
patent: 2082706 (1937-06-01), Maggiora
patent: 2083156 (1937-06-01), McCabe
patent: 2197352 (1940-04-01), Terkel
patent: 2526363 (1950-10-01), Jones
patent: 2543850 (1951-03-01), Henricson
patent: 2558272 (1951-06-01), Rubenstein et al.
patent: 2579977 (1951-12-01), Sjolin
patent: 2623785 (1952-12-01), Henchert
patent: 2661019 (1953-12-01), Snyder et al.
patent: 2704548 (1955-03-01), Ralston
patent: 2876794 (1959-03-01), Reedy
patent: 2906430 (1959-09-01), Henchert
patent: 3049263 (1962-08-01), Edelstone et al.
patent: 3061196 (1962-10-01), Bauerlein
patent: 3069841 (1962-12-01), Moore
patent: 3082783 (1963-03-01), Welty et al.
patent: 3107894 (1963-10-01), Quinn
patent: 3151787 (1964-10-01), Miller
patent: 3187965 (1965-06-01), Bourget
patent: 3207388 (1965-09-01), Waddington et al.
patent: 3223296 (1965-12-01), Waddington et al.
patent: 3236424 (1966-02-01), Ward
patent: 3263875 (1966-08-01), Lofdahl
patent: 3306570 (1967-02-01), Cooksley
patent: 3308224 (1967-03-01), Waddington et al.
patent: 3323692 (1967-06-01), Cook
patent: 3329164 (1967-07-01), Symonds et al.
patent: 3348848 (1967-10-01), Lucking et al.
patent: 3376582 (1968-04-01), Samuels
patent: 3378035 (1968-04-01), Waddington et al.
patent: 3445086 (1969-05-01), Quinn
patent: 3460715 (1969-08-01), Lane et al.
patent: 3542257 (1970-11-01), Parish
patent: 3584834 (1971-06-01), Reid et al.
patent: 3595445 (1971-07-01), Buford et al.
patent: 3666150 (1972-05-01), Liljeholm
patent: 3730224 (1973-05-01), Prisk
patent: 3731851 (1973-05-01), Rauh
patent: 4034917 (1977-07-01), Bailey
patent: 4105141 (1978-08-01), Lane et al.
patent: 4440316 (1984-04-01), Christine
patent: 4452425 (1984-06-01), Lucking
patent: 4471807 (1984-09-01), Lucking et al.
patent: 4475566 (1984-10-01), Haines
patent: 4632362 (1986-12-01), Lucking
patent: 4640493 (1987-02-01), Dudzik
patent: 4660748 (1987-04-01), Hagan
patent: 4687123 (1987-08-01), Hyde
patent: 4905875 (1990-03-01), Straiton
patent: 5102017 (1992-04-01), Dirksing
patent: 5211313 (1993-05-01), Lucking et al.
patent: 5337775 (1994-08-01), Lane et al.
patent: 5447257 (1995-09-01), Dark
patent: 5615808 (1997-04-01), Huang
patent: 6138878 (2000-10-01), Savage et al.
patent: 2002/0079001 (2002-06-01), Blackbourn et al.
patent: 917287 (1954-08-01), None
patent: 3403177 (1984-01-01), None
patent: 1281635 (1961-12-01), None
patent: 1299762 (1962-06-01), None
patent: 251320 (1920-02-01), None
patent: 694394 (1953-07-01), None
patent: 735459 (1955-08-01), None
patent: 1525630 (1978-09-01), None
patent: 2 096 284 (1982-10-01), None
patent: 2 101 275 (1983-01-01), None
patent: 2 138 109 (1984-10-01), None
patent: 2 138 544 (1984-10-01), None
patent: 461344 (1950-02-01), None
United Kingdom Patent Office Search Report for corresponding U.K. Patent Application No. GB0203264.7, Aug. 16, 2002.
Kawolics Raymond P.
Meyer Michael H.
Roethel Henry G.
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
Jacyna J. Casimer
The Meyer Company
LandOfFree
Push-button faucet does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Push-button faucet, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Push-button faucet will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3115563