The Clorox Company

John F Breznock

W Keith Mainquist

Vincent N DeMaso

Christian Fabian Diaz

Ronald E Heiskell

Ezra A Theys

Richard E Melrose

Terry L Calhoun

Frederick Van Bebber, Deceased

Richard N Miller

Bottle

A vented closure, for preventing deformation of a container containing a gas evolving liquid, is provided. The closure includes a first closure member and a second closure member. The first closure member seals the container from the outside atmosphere and defines a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane is placed in the gas flow passage. The second closure member is moveably fitted on the first closure member and encases the first closure member with a small clearance fit that allows gas passage. A sealing element coupled to the second closure member is aligned with the gas outlet of the first member so as to block gas flow when a predetermined load is applied to the second closure member and allow gas flow when the predetermined load is absent.

Selectively venting and load-sealing closure

A container measuring device for measuring minimum and maximum diameters and the ovality of a container finish includes a seat for receiving the container finish and a gauge for measuring the minimum and maximum diameters. The measuring device is balanced on the container with the container finish received in the seat and the measuring device is then rotated to determine the dimensions of the container finish. An adjustable counterweight may be used to balance the measuring device on the container finish. Preferably, the minimum and maximum diameters are recorded by the gauge and transmitted from the gauge to a computer for a determination of whether the container finish dimensions fall within a predetermined tolerance range.

Balancing container finish measuring device

A hydraulic device utilizes an aerosol can containing propellant for unblocking drains or other types of conduits by use of hydraulic ram pressure. A nozzle having a curved surface is movably mounted on the discharge end of the propellant container and is actuable by means of pressing the nozzle against the conduit opening to discharge a quantity of propellant gas into the conduit. The curved surface of the nozzle conveniently seals against the conduit opening. An annular skirt depending from the nozzle surrounds the upper can chine and an internal annular rib therein retains the nozzle on the container while allowing sufficient travel of the nozzle to move and actuate a valve stem of a valve assembly within the container discharge opening. A disc spring is located intermediate the nozzle and the container end having the discharge opening which normally biases the nozzle away from the valve stem of the valve assembly. Upon compression of the disc spring by pressing the nozzle against the conduit opening, the spring moves in a substantially regressive load deflection curve within a working deflection range until the disc is over centered and the valve stem fully depressed to permit expulsion of propellant gas through a discharge passage including a diffuser portion centrally disposed in the nozzle end. Upon release of the nozzle, the disc spring will cause the nozzle to return to its initial position and propellant flow will be stopped. The disc spring includes a plurality of grooves around the periphery thereof for permitting escape of trapped propellant. Additional diffusers are utilizable with the nozzle to permit sealing against flat surfaces surrounding the conduit opening.

Aerosol drain opener device

Growing community of inventors

Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

John F Breznock