Patents Represented by Law Firm Jennings, Carter, Thompson & Veal
  • Perforator/crusher for plastic bottles
    Patent number: 4987829
    Abstract: A densification apparatus for use in recycling plastic containers utilizes a hopper with a movable lid to feed collected plastic containers to a continuous chain conveyor having a plurality of wedge-shape teeth which perforate the containers and urge them between a set of compression plates and rollers such that the plastics are compressed beyond their ability to resume their original shape. The vertical conveyor and hopper-closing lid prevent ballistic rejection of containers and enable iterative processing of plastic in a movable or stationary curbside apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Lummus Development Corp.
    Inventors: Wilbur G. Hudson, Ronald F. Schley, Joseph Tehrani
  • Medical appliance holder
    Patent number: 4988296
    Abstract: An appliance for use by medical and dental practitioners utilizes a latex glove as a platform for attachment of supplies. After donning a pair of latex gloves, the practitioner may load a measured portion of dentifrice into a suitable receptacle. The receptacle may then be detachably affixed to the glove surface in a location permitting convenient access to the dentifrice retained therein. After completion of the procedure the gloves and affixed receptacle may be removed and disposed of as a unit. In a simple embodiment of the appliance a pouch or depression formed on the glove surface serve as dentifrice receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Inventor: Charles M. Spencer
  • Cover for beehives
    Patent number: 4983139
    Abstract: A protective cover is removably placed over a beehive for overwintering and utilizes an inner reflective surface to return radiant energy to the hive and an outer non-reflective surface to absorb energy into the hive. The cover may have reclosable openings therein to allow inspection of the hives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Inventor: Theodore R. Kretschmann
  • Composition for treatment of teeth and method of use
    Patent number: 4983380
    Abstract: A mucroprotectant gelatin which forms a protective coating on the mucous membranes of the mouth is provided for use with active ingredients for treating the teeth. The active ingredient may be aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution or fluoride. When hydrogen peroxide is used as a bleaching agent the mucoprotectant prevents the caustic bleaching agent from damaging the gums. The bleaching agent and the mucoprotectant are stored in separate containers and are custom mixed by a supervising dentist and given to the patient in a dispenser so that the resulting slurry may be used in a personalized vacuformed mouthpiece. The treatment may last from several minutes to several hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Inventor: David K. Yarborough
  • Seal ring for open head drum
    Patent number: 4982864
    Abstract: A closure ring for use with an open head drum utilizes a reduced diameter portion proximal each end thereof to increase the force required to draw the end of the ring together about the drum head and an associated lid and gasket, thereby increasing the compressive force applied to the gasket in the reduced diameter region resulting in greater sealing effect at the junction of the ring ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Self Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Fred A. Kusta
  • Apparatus for making plastic devices
    Patent number: 4969811
    Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding of plastic lure skirts utilizes an openable mold wherein a conic cavity is formed between a pair of mold plates and a conic insert is selectively advanced to abut the inner surface of the conic cavity. A plurality of grooves are formed in the conic cavity which communicates with a tubular section wherein the soft plastic is introduced such that a body portion and a stranded skirt are formed when plastic is injected between the mold plates and the conic insert. The apparatus may be used for forming double skirted lures or conventional non-skirted lures by internal injection when a stripper bar is used to partially seal the mold distribution channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: C & L Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry E. Littleton
  • Portable pallet truck
    Patent number: 4969794
    Abstract: A knock-down pallet truck utilizes a tubular construction as its fork assembly (43) such that each fork is separately removable from the carriage. Each light-weight fork (43) includes a pair of spaced apart tubular members (39) joined at a tip (41) and affixed to a pair of rigid connection splines (36) which are detachably affixed to a receptacle unit (18, 19) on the body (14) of the pallet truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Inventor: Kurt K. Larsen
  • Method and apparatus for cleaning ballast
    Patent number: 4967847
    Abstract: An articulated ballast cleaning system utilizes a pair of ballast cleaners each dedicated to cleaning only a portion of the ballast bed of a railroad track, such that one cleans the peripheral ballast while the other cleans the center ballast. Spoil or waste ballast is conveyed forwardly along the apparatus for disposal, while cleaned ballast is conveyed rearwardly for replacement aft of an undercutter device. Fresh ballast may be conveyed forwardly along the apparatus to supplement the cleaned ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Kershaw Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Whitaker, Jr.
  • Uniform flow hydraulic system
    Patent number: 4955282
    Abstract: A multi-chamberal hydraulic cylinder and valve system utilizes a single relatively low flow rate pump to provide pressurized fluid during travel, compression and retraction of the piston rod. The piston rod has an effective diameter greater than its physical diameter due to the additional forces applied on an annular piston which is also used to extend and retract the piston rod without supplying pressurized fluid to the interior of the hollow piston rod except during the compression portion of the stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: Ronald W. Ranson
  • Casting handling apparatus
    Patent number: 4955425
    Abstract: Apparatus for non-impact handling of foundry castings utilizes a sand pervious basket to receive a sand mold and casting and to segregate the casting from the mold. A turntable assembly lifts and translates the basket to a secondary conveyor which removes the casting for further processing. The secondary conveyor may be a walking beam conveyor adapted to operate inside a quenching tank and the basket adapted to align with the walking beam conveyor for removal of the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: James F. McKenna
  • Retractable fifth wheel pull handle
    Patent number: 4946183
    Abstract: A pull handle for a fifth wheel utilizes a sliding connection to the operating handle of the locking jaw of the fifth wheel. A retractor spring biases the pull handle inwardly along the sliding connection such that the pull handle assumes a position which will not engage the tires of the tractor with the lock mechanism open, regardless of the adjustment of the suspension of the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company
    Inventors: W. D. Benson, Hollis L. Cahela, William N. Kirkland, Anthoney D. Pidgeon
  • Strapper stop apparatus
    Patent number: 4944139
    Abstract: An improved positioning apparatus for conveyor systems uses a pair of retractable stops mounted laterally of the conveyor belt to extend diagonally over the belt and engage an article thereon at a precisely repeatable point. The conveyor drive is augmented by auxiliary drive means which are engaged to urge the article against the stops and to prevent excessive shock in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Neilsen & Hiebert Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Neilsen, Peter Hiebert
  • Portable cooler
    Patent number: D309555
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: James W. Kime
  • Animal figure
    Patent number: D310112
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Hazel Metzler
  • Gutter cleaning tool
    Patent number: D310590
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: John T. Williams, Jr.
  • Three phase distribution cluster mount
    Patent number: D312448
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: Gaddis G. Hall
  • Lift truck
    Patent number: D312909
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Blue Giant Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt K. Larsen, Pete Santiago
  • Combined screwdriver bit and sheet metal cutting element for a combination hand tool
    Patent number: D312954
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: John W. Wilbanks
  • Bag dispenser
    Patent number: D313135
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: John P. Kloberg, Jr.
  • Tool box
    Patent number: D314082
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Inventor: James W. Kime