Did You Know...
...that while attempting to develop a super strong glue, 3M employee Spencer Silver accidentally developed a glue that was so weak it would barely hold two pieces of paper together? However, his colleague Art Fry needed the glue. Fry sang with his church choir and marked the pages of his hymnal with small scraps of paper that often fell out. He used Silver's glue to hold the papers in place. Today we call this invention Post-it Notes.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7497416 | Safety valve device with a manual seal assembly for an inflatable apparatus A safety valve device is mounted on an inflatable apparatus and has a body, a manual seal assembly and a check valve. The body has an annular sidewall and an annular bracket mounted on the sidewall and having a central opening. The manual seal assembly is connected ... | 03/03/2009 |
| 7168684 | Tiltable valve for discharging foam and other media A tiltable valve for discharging foam and other media from a pressurized vessel includes a valve disk for connection to the vessel, and a valve body having a holder opening that is placed in an opening in the valve disk and a sealing surface at a side facing away fr... | 01/30/2007 |
| 7159252 | Folding sink A sink may include a basin and a faucet assembly foldably mounted relative to the basin. The faucet assembly is rotatable between an upright position wherein the faucet assembly protrudes out from the basin and a folded position wherein the faucet assembly is receiv... | 01/09/2007 |
| 7063102 | Air tap assembly An air tap assembly includes an air pipe having an outer wall formed with a plurality of locking members, and a valve cap rotatably and movably mounted on the air pipe and having an inner wall formed with a plurality of locking members. Thus, the locking members of ... | 06/20/2006 |
| 6871669 | Connector apparatus and method of coupling bioprocessing equipment to a media source A disposable connector apparatus designed for one time use in a bioprocessing assembly, and a method for coupling a piece of bioprocessing equipment to a media source in a sterilized environment. The connector apparatus includes a telescoping valve formation with an... | 03/29/2005 |
| 6571562 | Witness drain valve For regulating engine exhaust and for environmental reasons, aircraft users are restricted from expelling engine fluids from engines onto airport ramps. All such fluid must be collected and subsequently burned or properly disposed of. The present inventio... | 06/03/2003 |
| 6557584 | Flow control and flow rate control mechanisms for use in brewing machines with fluidly connected chambers A brewing machine with brewing water flow control mechanisms for controlling flow between chambers, includes a filling chamber in fluid connection with a heating reservoir. In one aspect of the invention, a control chamber with a sealable opening is forme... | 05/06/2003 |
| 6498371 | Body-tied-to-body SOI CMOS inverter circuit An SOI CMOS inverter circuit in which a silicide layer in combination with body tie regions tie a p-type body region and an n-type body region together. At the same time, however, the body regions remain floating electrically so that the benefits of SOI a... | 12/24/2002 |
| 6461335 | Tube dependent anti-free-flow valve The present invention relates to an anti-free-flow valve to prevent fluid free-flow through a tube assembly having a lumen. The valve device comprises a body disposed inside the lumen having a cylindrical portion formed adjacent a tapered portion, the cyl... | 10/08/2002 |
| 6454742 | Valve cuff for a fluid administration system The present invention relates an anti-free flow valve for a fluid administration systems having a tube assembly with a lumen formed through therethrough coupled to a pump. The anti-free flow valve comprises a body including a cylindrical portion having an... | 09/24/2002 |
| 6408845 | Respiratory filter An improved respirator filter assembly includes an integral fit seal check mechanism easily controlled by the user. Upon release, the seal check mechanism permits free airflow through the filter assembly. The seal check mechanism includes an air passagewa... | 06/25/2002 |
| 6279872 | Quick-acting valve A valve has a chamber (11) in a housing (10), in which the valve seat (17) is closed by a valve body (19). The valve seat (17) is supported by an actuator (15) which is capable of axially expanding and contracting. In response to an actuating signal the a... | 08/28/2001 |
| 6200261 | Valve and methods for urinary control The apparatus for closing a body orifice. The apparatus includes a valve having a flexible bulbous tube with an inlet and outlet. A passage in the bulbous tube extends from the inlet along an axis. A wall of the tube is between the inlet and the outlet an... | 03/13/2001 |
| 6178988 | Hydrant design A hydrant valve assembly including a spool member having at least one spool seal which is at times under extremely high pressure tending to cause the seal to be displaced from an associated recess, the spool member forming venting passages in the seal rec... | 01/30/2001 |
| 6021801 | Valves A fluid product valve in which an elastic member containing a normally closed slit is adapted to be selectively stretched by displacement of an actuating member, such as to stretch open the slit over the outlet end of a product discharge passage and allow... | 02/08/2000 |
| 5988593 | Water faucet with spout to control water flow and method therefor A water faucet and method therefor includes a spout for the water faucet which is used to control whether water is dispensed from the water faucet or not dispensed therefrom. The spout of the water faucet in its natural, untouched position functions to pr... | 11/23/1999 |
| 5529278 | Fluid access and flow control valve A flow control valve is described comprised of first and second rigid members and a resilient single or multi stage valve element disposed between the rigid members. A fluid flow path is defined through the rigid members and through or around the valve el... | 06/25/1996 |
| 5507808 | Filling tube and seal construction An inflatable implant for use in human breast reconstruction includes a chamber which is defined by a flexible membrane. The implant also includes a valve and a flexible filling tube which passes through the valve and into the chamber. The valve comprises... | 04/16/1996 |
| 5474544 | Luer-receiving medical valve A luer receiving medical valve for the sterile transfer of fluid from a luer-tapered male end having a surrounding female luer lock threaded end. The luer receiver includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a lumen extending from the inlet to th... | 12/12/1995 |
| 5404061 | Oil-filled motor protector A motor oil-filled protector device for use with an electric submergible pump motor, includes a tubular extension to inhibit contaminated fluid from contacting an internal pressure relief valve. A motor oil pressure relief valve within the protector has a... | 04/04/1995 |
| 5337775 | Dispensing taps A dispensing tap for flexible bulk beverage containers comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet, the axes of which are transverse, a piercer unit carried within the body adjacent the inlet by a shaft and an outlet sealing means comprising a valve e... | 08/16/1994 |
| 5328152 | Fluid control valve unit A fluid control valve unit particularly suited to be used as an air control valve in an overhead passenger service unit for aircraft, buses, trains and the like. This valve unit includes a non-rotatable and axially movable closure member which moves in re... | 07/12/1994 |
| 5267586 | Shutoff valve mechanism for the oral evacuator of a dental unit The invention concept is a shutoff valve mechanism (40) for use in conjunction with the oral evacuator of a dental unit, said mechanism being connectable to a suction tube (14) communicating with a vacuum pump. The shutoff valve mechanism (40) comprises a... | 12/07/1993 |
| 5133938 | Lockable valve mechanism for sample pouch A lockable valve mechanism for introducing a liquid sample into an associated reaction vessel includes a valve body, and a valve member rotatably mounted thereon. The valve member is movable from an open position, wherein inlet and outlet passages of the ... | 07/28/1992 |
| 5125625 | Quick vent closure assembly for pressurized water reactor This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for venting pressure from within a pressurized housing. It incorporates a sealing assembly that is secured within a housing and restrained against a pressurized channel by a nut. By loosening the nut, rest... | 06/30/1992 |
| 5097994 | Container pouring spout A container is provided wherein a pouring spout includes a medially positioned accordion extensible and retractable conduit to permit extension and retraction, as well as selective orientation of the conduit during pouring of contents from within the asso... | 03/24/1992 |
| 5071411 | Pressure-actuated valve for sealing flow conduit A pressure-actuated valve for sealing a flow conduit. The valve comprises a housing, and a tubular resilient valve carried within the housing. The tubular valve defines a lumen extending through the housing. Means are provided for varying the pressure in ... | 12/10/1991 |
| 5022422 | Ball valve A ball valve device for controlling fluid flow has a stainless steel ball positioned in the lumen of an I.V. tube. The outer diameter of the ball is equal to the inner diameter of the I.V. tube, so that the outer surface of the ball establishes a fluid se... | 06/11/1991 |
| 4958803 | Automatic fluid valve A valve for fluids with a fluid conduit having a first and a second end. A baffle within the conduit has a first face oriented towards the first conduit end and a second face oriented towards the second conduit end. A baffle seat within the conduit betwee... | 09/25/1990 |
| 4908884 | Flexible drain A flexible filter drain is disclosed. The drain has a flexible body, a sealing washer, and a rigid brass drain stem with a sealing lip contacting the upper end of the body. The drain stem is held in sealing engagement with the flexible body by means of th... | 03/20/1990 |
| 4832595 | Torch nozzle assembly A gas fuel torch assembly is provided for attachement to a portable pressurized gas fuel cylinder. The assembly includes a housing and a gas delivery system in the housing. The system delivers gas fuel from the cylinder within an adjustable operating pres... | 05/23/1989 |
| 4824075 | Tilt action dispensing valve assembly For use in a tilt action valve for dispensing a pressurized viscous product, in which a grommet is held by a mounting cup and secures the valve stem and body, product leakage between the grommet and valve stem is minimized by forming in the grommet a pock... | 04/25/1989 |
| 4671463 | Water jet aerator with flow controlling nozzle A water jet aerator for use in a tub or spa having an eyeball-type nozzle which, when rotated, controls the flow of water through the aerator. The nozzle also can be swiveled to vary the direction of fluid flow into the tub. To prevent injuries due to fal... | 06/09/1987 |
| 4662396 | Connector assembly permitting quick attachment and detachment of fluid conduits A connector assembly for fluid conduits comprises a first fitting including a connector to one of the conduits, a second fitting to which the first fitting is attachable and which includes a connector to the other of the conduits, and a swivel member with... | 05/05/1987 |
| 4640306 | Fluid flow regulator for intravenous feeding device A fluid flow regulator includes a resilient hollow sealing body which is fitted in the bottom part of a liquid housing adjacent to a tubular outlet end and which has a central through-hole to communicate to one another the chamber of the housing and the o... | 02/03/1987 |
| 4611785 | Tube closure device A tube closure device for closing a flexible tube has a first member having a tube portion for insertion into an end of the flexible tube, and a second member hinged to said first member and having means for securing the flexible tube to the second member... | 09/16/1986 |
| 4550865 | Obliquely-handling nozzle for aerosol The invention relates to a nozzle connected to an aerosol vessel 1 which has an obliquely-handling valve 3. When a finger piece 18 protruding sideways from the nozzle body 14 is pressed toward the aerosol vessel 1, the obliquely-handling valve 3 can be op... | 11/05/1985 |
| 4550748 | Fluid flow regulating unit for intravascular catheter systems A fluid flow regulating and control unit for intravascular catheter systems used in medical and surgical procedures with a slidably mounted closure member for the control fluid to the in-dwelling catheter. Force is exerted axially on an annular resilient ... | 11/05/1985 |
| 4529167 | Valve apparatus A housing having a longitudinal aperature therethrough, and an exterior surface adapted to be securable to a container. A stem is longitudinally movable within the housing and is cooperatively conformed with the housing such that an annulus exists between... | 07/16/1985 |
| 4527588 | Safety valve A safety valve in combination with a resilient tube for preventing the free flow of fluid through the resilient tube comprises a valve body which is connected to a valve head of generally circular cross-section which is formed with a flat peripheral land.... | 07/09/1985 |
