Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Bullwinkel Partners, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 6743152
    Abstract: An adjustable, stowable, ballet bar exercise device, comprising: a free-standing frame carrying at least one ballet bar, and one or more rigid members coupled to the frame and lying on the floor in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Fluidity Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Weiss
  • Patent number: 6735912
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing the joints, using a unified protective joint cap, of jointed building panel systems having a plurality of building panels. The unified sealing member is applied on top of the jointing means of the panel system wherein no modifications or alternations of the jointing means is required. As such, the protective joint cap may be applied directly to a jointing system in need of repair without the requirement of resealing the jointing system. Furthermore, the protective joint cap does not require an anchoring means to be installed prior to application. The protective joint cap further preferably contains an incorporated extrusion suitable for maintaining a bead of liquified elastomeric sealant, such as RTV, which may be applied prior to the sealing member's installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Steve Riggio
  • Patent number: 6725630
    Abstract: A method for induction sealing a plastic part to a composite container using a pair of linear coils electrically connected to low frequency generators. The linear coils produce overlapping electromagnetic fields on either side of the container. Rotating the container assures even heating of the polyethylene liner and plastic part. The method produces a reliable seal between the liner and plastic part and can be used at high production speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, Charles M. Braddock, Floyd Boatwright, J. Mark Morrow, James A. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6705953
    Abstract: A fluid-based, synthetic grass golf practice-swinging platform. The present invention has a fluid bladder holder which holds a fluid bladder filled with at least one viscous fluid. The present invention also has a golfer stance platform which is horizontally planar and connected to the fluid bladder holder. The complete assembly is overlaid with conventional synthetic grass material. The fluid contained within the fluid bladder provides realistic natural grass turf characteristics and properties by replicating wave propagation within the viscous fluid. The fluid type and viscosity can be varied depending upon the type of natural turf being replicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Alan Haskins
  • Patent number: 6684892
    Abstract: An air or liquid handling device access and cleaning method and apparatus which allows the cleaning operator to clean the interior of the air or liquid handling device while the device is operational, thus negating the conventional need to shut down the system. The apparatus contains a flexible cleaning hose which delivers a cleaning agent through a nozzle connected to the distal end of the hose. The hose is subsequently inserting into a hose sealing mechanism which ensures and air-tight seal around the periphery of the hose while still allowing rotational and longitudinal movement of the hose. The preferred embodiment also connects, in seriatim, a pipe “T” junction with a pressure relief valve, a pipe bell reducer, a pipe extension and an access control valve, thus permitting controlled access to the pressurized interior of the air or liquid handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel McCleary, Mark Gaffin
  • Patent number: 6662827
    Abstract: A membrane type pressure relief valve for packaging containers. The valve comprises a plastic overlay that is formed in a way that causes the center portion of the valve to be pre-stressed when applied to a base sheet or a package wall. The forming of the overlay and its subsequent deformation after application to the base sheet or package wall causes the overlay to act as a mechanical assist to close the valve when the valve oil does not fully force the valve closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenan J. Clougherty, Teddy M. Westphal
  • Patent number: 6612173
    Abstract: An improved plunger for fluid dispensing cartridges used in automated dispensing systems. The plunger helps control the reflection of ultrasonic signals used to sense the position of the plunger as it moves within the cartridge tube. The plunger has a convex bottom, ink-facing surface and a top surface comprising one or more flat, horizontal surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, the horizontal surfaces are concentric steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca A. Lawson, James W. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6595367
    Abstract: An elongated extruded plastic corner post for protecting a packaged product. The corner post comprises two elongated legs joined along an inner corner and forming a spring-like profile. The spring-like profile compresses to absorb lateral shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James Baechle
  • Patent number: 6580020
    Abstract: A synthetic hybrid corn line having the designation P741, produced by crossing the inbred Qx47 and the synthetic P732. P741 imparts a high oil level in the grain of certain male sterile hybrids when used as a pollinator. P741 is also gives higher test weight in grain than other pollinators of similar oil levels when used in the TOPCROSS® grain production system. P741 has shown excellent productivity in TC BLEND® seed blends of medium to late season adaptability. This invention thus relates to the seeds, plants and plant parts of P741 and its components, to plants regenerated from tissue culture of the plants of P741, to a method of producing P741, and to a method for producing high oil grain using P741 as a pollinator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Optimum Quality Grains, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lorelei C. Marshall, Terry J. Foley
  • Patent number: 6561357
    Abstract: A single piece protective device that can be stacked or nested in an unfolded position and then folded into the desired shape when ready for use is provided. The device is made from a substantially rectangular sheet of laminated paperboard. The sheet comprises an outer wall and an inner wall connected by a hinged area running longitudinally from top to the bottom. The hinged area comprises a plurality of longitudinal creases or scores. The sheet is made of multiple plies of material laminated together. The plies can be made from different types of materials, and may be oriented in different directions to achieve desired structural properties. The unfolded sheets are nestable for efficient storage and shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Renck
  • Patent number: 6547108
    Abstract: A pressure-activated flexible valve for use with a container for dispensing fluid material. The valve has a single sealing surface and comprises an inner component having a sealing portion and an outer component having an annular rim that seats against the sealing portion. The outer component also has a flexible portion that changes shape in response to pressure from the container material, thereby opening and closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Johanson
  • Patent number: 6531790
    Abstract: A generator transfer switching system having a multi-position generator transfer switch that enables a homeowner or user to manually select a group of circuits from among a number of pre-selected groups of circuits for transfer from utility company service to a standby generator via a single cam-operated switch. The multi-position generator transfer switch is comprised of a contact block having multiple stages with a shaft and a handle to turn the shaft. Each stage contains electrical contacts and cams operably connected to the contacts. The cams are mounted on a shaft running through the center of the block and connected at one end to a handle. The handle can be manually turned to switch a group of selected household circuits from the utility company service to an electric generator service. The switch eliminates the potential for electrical back feed from either the utility company to the generator or from the generator to the utility company.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Panuce, Michael J. Keenan
  • Patent number: 6520336
    Abstract: An elongated extruded plastic corner post for protecting a packaged product. The corner post comprises an outer wall and an inner wall joined at the ends to define a substantially L-shaped cylindrical space therebetween, and one or more integrally formed ribs connecting opposing faces of the inner and outer walls. The corner post protects packaged appliances by directing lateral forces directly to the structural framework of the appliance. In another embodiment, the extruded plastic corner post comprises two elongated legs joined along an inner corner and forming a spring-like profile. The spring-like profile compresses to absorb lateral shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James Baechle
  • Patent number: 6513685
    Abstract: A device for securing a ring to a person's finger. The device comprises an elongated loop connected at one end to a wristband. The loop has a free end away from the wristband that can be threaded through the ring, after which the wristband is threaded though the loop between the free end and the ring and pulled until the loop is wrapped snugly around the ring. The ring is then placed on the person finger and the wristband is placed in the person's wrist, thereby securing the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony Tzoubris
  • Patent number: 6513662
    Abstract: A laminated paper corner post for protecting a packaged article, the corner post having a variable cross-sectional profile in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory S. Stebelton
  • Patent number: 6509702
    Abstract: A method of compensating for and correcting temperature induced focus and distortional errors within a head-up display unit is described. The head-up display is comprised of a cathode ray tube and a plurality of lenses constructed of a plastic material defining a lens train and a mounting device constructed of a metal material. The compensation for the temperature can be accomplished by measuring the difference in thermal expansion between the plastic material and the metal material and conveying the measured difference to an alignment device for an appropriate adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Flight Visions, Inc.
    Inventor: James Deppe
  • Patent number: 6484539
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for drawing fibers from materials which exhibit low viscosities at the equilibrium melting temperature. Further, the present invention provides novel drawn fibers from materials which were thought to be incompatible with a fiber-drawing process. The present invention also provides a means of minimizing recrystallization of molten materials during fiber drawing. Still further, the present invention provides novel drawn fibers with a greater tensile strength and greater concentrations of additives as compared to prior art fibers. Lastly, the present invention provides a means for producing crystalline fibers with controlled chemical compositions, and fibers with high tensile strengths as compared to prior art fibers of the same composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Containerless Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Nordine, J. K. Richard Weber, John J. Felten
  • Patent number: 6482758
    Abstract: A bulk single phase glass comprising 23 molar % to 50 molar % rare earth oxides, RE203, and 50 molar % to 77 molar % aluminum oxide, A12O3 is provided. The glass contains at least 50 molar % of Al2O3+RE2O3 and smaller amounts of oxide glass forming agents and other oxides than are found in prior art glasses. The addition of small amounts of lanthanum oxide, La2O3, prevents phase separation. The single phase glass is useful for optical applications such as lasers and optical amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Containerless Research, Inc.
    Inventors: J. K. Richard Weber, Johan G. Abadie, April D. Hixson, Paul C. Nordine
  • Patent number: 6478183
    Abstract: A lightweight overcap for a cylindrical container that requires substantially less material. The material savings is realized by the use of thinner walls and intermittent closure, nesting and stacking structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Bacon, Adrienne N. Lynn, Lawrence E. Renck
  • Patent number: D465944
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Clifford B. Jackson