Patents Examined by Brett Edwards
  • Patent number: 8684200
    Abstract: A bottle assembly is presented including a body portion having a dividing wall extending therein; a first chamber for holding a first liquid, the first chamber configured to connect to a first orifice; a second chamber for holding a second liquid, the second chamber configured to connect to a second orifice; and a weight distribution mechanism configured to be placed entirely within the body portion of the bottle assembly for counterbalancing the first liquid against the second liquid, the weight distribution mechanism having a plurality of spheres therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Theodosios Kountotsis
  • Patent number: 8561824
    Abstract: [Objective] To provide a box that allows easy tasks involved in assembling and disassembling and a novel plate material connecting structure adapted thereto. [Means to solve the problem] An assembly box comprises: a frame 1 (or 10) that is rectangular as seen from the top and whose four sides are formed from plate materials 11a and the like which are square as seen from the front; and a base 2 that has a placement plane 2a for the frame 1 and guides 21 and the like for supporting the plate materials constituting the frame 1 on the placement plane 2a. A first connecting part 111 and a second connecting part 122 (or a first connecting part 121 and a second connecting part 112) are positioned at corners of the frame 1 and have each a detachable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is configured to separate two connected plate materials by inclining either one of the plate materials at a predetermined or larger angle with reference to the plate material connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Nakayama Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Nakayama, Fumio Nakayama, Shinji Ishii
  • Patent number: 8544679
    Abstract: A lid includes a grip member (3) capable of being at least in a stacked state wherein it does not prevent stacking of the lid with another similar lid, and a gripping state wherein it has a released surface for gripping the lid. The lid includes at least one elastic member (14) moving the grip member (3) from its stacked state to its gripping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Pascal Cuillery
  • Patent number: 8408416
    Abstract: A crate is provided with a base, sides, front, and back that form an enclosure. The front includes and opening and a door positioned within the opening in the closed position. The door is hung by hinges, which are associated with uninterrupted rails on the top of the crate. To open the crate, the bottom of the door is swung outward and upward to pivot the door toward the horizontal position on the hinges. Then, the door can be slid into the enclosure along the uninterrupted guides. The door may also include locks that can secure the door in the closed position. Both of the sides or both the front and back can be releasably connected with the top and pivotable into the base. After both sides or both the front and back are pivoted into the base, the remaining walls and top can be pivoted to fold into the base as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Vermont Juvenile Furniture Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Wu Cheng-Lung, Todd M. Jakubowski, Chris Jakubowski, Scott Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 8397941
    Abstract: A rigid support base has flat parallel top and bottom surfaces. The top and bottom surfaces are separated by a thickness. The support base has a plurality of holes. A plurality of rigid rods is provided. Each rod has a lower end. The lower end is received and retained within an associated hole. Each rod has a notch. Each notch includes an upper ledge. The upper ledge is provided parallel with the top surface of the support base. Each notch includes an angled lower ledge. The lower ledge depends from an associated upper ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Earl G. Stocker
  • Patent number: 8371461
    Abstract: A bottle assembly including a body portion having a dividing wall, a first chamber for holding a first liquid and a second chamber for holding a second liquid. The base portion of the bottle assembly includes a weight distribution mechanism for counterbalancing the first liquid against the second liquid. The weight distribution mechanism is a flexible member positioned between a first base portion of the first chamber and a second base portion of the second chamber, the flexible member slidingly engaging an inner surface of the base portion of the bottle assembly. When the first liquid is reduced, the first base portion of the first chamber is displaced in a first direction and the second base portion of the second chamber is displaced in a second direction, the first direction being opposite the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Theodosios Kountotsis
  • Patent number: 8353413
    Abstract: A tamper-evident closure and container combination identifies a compromised seal when a severable ring has been detached from a closure upon a first opening of the container. Successful detachment of the severable ring is improved whereby a lower neck portion of a container is angled or arced downwardly and outwardly from a point immediately adjacent an annular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 8342345
    Abstract: A storage case is provided for power tool accessories. The storage case comprises a first frame member having an inner surface and an edge defining a hinge portion, and a second frame member having an inner surface and an edge defining a hinge portion. A rod is positioned along a longitudinal axis of the storage case. The hinge portions of the first and second frame members are coupled to the rod to define a hinge positioned along a longitudinal axis of the storage case. The first and second frame members are pivotal with respect to each other between an open position and a closed position. An accessory receptacle, including a hinge boss, is received by the rod. When the first and second frame members are in the open position, the accessory receptacle is slidable along the rod between a plurality of axial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Michael S. Steele
  • Patent number: 8302799
    Abstract: A container for installation in a vehicle has a housing and a lid mounted pivotably on the housing and connected operatively via a gear to a spring device prestressing the lid in an opening direction and supported on the housing. A cardiod control moves and locks the lid. It is in this case important that the cardiod of the cardiod control is disposed continuously on an outer circumference of a shaft having the spring device and co-operates with a movable pin arranged on the housing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Martin Kayser
  • Patent number: 8251241
    Abstract: A lid facilitates opening a sealed container and includes a connecting rim engageable with the sealed container and encircling a lid surface, and threads disposed on an inside surface of the connecting rim. A cutting tab is disposed on the lid surface. The cutting tab is sized and positioned to engage a seal of the sealed container when the lid is threaded onto the sealed container via the threads. In one application, the lid is applied to a pre-filled container including a product sealed in the container. The lid serves to open the seal and provide access to the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Profiscient Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik S. Vadersen
  • Patent number: 8215512
    Abstract: A cap for a consumable liquid container, the cap comprising a seal made of a flexible material and having a top section with a depressibJe portion and a flange portion at least partially surrounding the depressible portion for overlspping the spout of the cap and a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the top section; wherein the seal is in closed position where the depressible portion is above the flange portion and the flange portion has a portion covering the spout for hampering the outward flow of the consumable liquid through the spout, and wherein, upon pressure of a user on the depressible portion, the depressible portion is moved downwardly such that the flange portion is above the depressible portion and frees the spout for allowing unimpeded passage of the consumable liquid outwards from the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Trudeau Corporation 1889 Inc.
    Inventor: Pierre Tardif
  • Patent number: 8186533
    Abstract: A device for storing food products in combination with a component, such as a plate or a bowl, such that a visual indication of secure engagement is provided and the device does not require a specific corresponding mating structure in order to provide an air-tight seal between said device and the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Tseng
  • Patent number: 8172105
    Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing pills is provided. The container has a housing with an upper end and a lower end and a plurality of compartments therein. The compartments have an open end adjacent the upper end of the housing and a lower end adjacent the lower end of the housing. The lower end of each compartment has an opening with a hinged door covering the opening. A cam having a cam surface is attached to the door so the cam rotates as the door opens and closes. A cam follower pin abuts the cam surface and the cam follower pin is constrained to move along a predefined path. The doors can be opened manually one at a time or all together by pushing downward on a centrally located handle at the top of the container. When opening all the door simultaneously the handle can be retained in the door open position by sliding two flanges beneath the handle into a slot and rotating the handle left or right. The housing is mounted to a rotatable lazy-Susan base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: William G. Smith
  • Patent number: 7959029
    Abstract: A splash and spill resistant insulating lid for beverage containers comprising an insulated splash and spill barrier integrated into a cup lid combination. This is achieved by creating a barrier and/or labyrinth flow path, which buffers and deflects sloshing liquid. Accidental/incidental release of liquid is minimized and/or prevented while allowing the normal flow of liquid for drinking. These features of the SSRIL further create an insulating barrier to keep a cup's fluid hotter or cooler for a longer period of time, enhanced by using an appropriate insulating material combined with finite number of transfer holes that are of a specific shape and/or specific location and/or specific orientation to promote the formation of a surface tension film of fluid across the transfer holes, creating additional barriers against the escape and exchange of both fluid and vapor outside the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Aslan Guild, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Whitaker, Van T. Walworth, David B. Hook, Robert L. Edwards, Clifford W. Bagwell
  • Patent number: 7896191
    Abstract: A removable, insulated hand grip device for use with a closed loop lid handle includes a body formed of a flexible, compressible and low thermal conductivity material adapted to fill the first distance between the hand grip portion and the top surface of the lid, a lid handle engaging portion including a concave surface adapted to enclose at least partially the hand grip portion of the lid handle, a base portion including a surface adapted to engage the top surface of the lid under the hand grip portion, a finger grip portion including a concave surface formed on each longitudinal sides of the body adapted to receive the fingers of a user's hand. The body is removably attached to the lid handle and is secured between the bottom surface of the hand grip portion and the top surface of the lid by compression force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Chefs Originals LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Fall, Janet L. Fall, Lisa M. Frolich, Douglas M. Frolich
  • Patent number: 7878350
    Abstract: A medication bottle includes a container and a closure removably fastened thereto. The closure includes a dial having an exterior surface with a series of indicia imprinted thereon, and an interior surface having a handle that protrudes therefrom. Each indicia represents a time increment at which a next pill dosage is required to be taken by a user. The exterior surface of the closure includes a window that exposes a particular indicia. Upon removing the closure from the container, the user can rotate the dial via the handle in order to expose in the window the next time increment a dose is required to be consumed. The dial can only be rotated after the closure is removed from the pill container. Upon replacing the closure onto the container, the selected indicator remains immovable and represents an accurate reminder for the next time a dose is required to be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Rock Link, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas H. Ramoundos
  • Patent number: 7854338
    Abstract: A water tank T of plastic material which is joined by using at least two open and identical tank parts 1 and a joining plane 2, the tank parts having respective opening structures R with a flattened inner opening edge, a sealing channel 26 being open towards the joining plane, and an outer flattened opening edge, the inner and outer opening edges within the opening edge structure are situated in each tank part 1, 35 in the joining plane 2, the opening edge at the same time defining inner and outer fitting surfaces 16, 17, respectively with a width exceeding the thickness X of the tank part wall 30 and the sealing channel wall 34 by at least about the half, such that the water tank T selectively can be manufactured from the same tank parts 1, 35 either monolithically by welding the fitting surfaces 16, 17 without sealing means in-between to each other or separable by clamping the opening edge structures R from the outer side with sealing means 33 provided between both tank parts 1, 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Graf Plastics GmbH
    Inventor: Otto P. Graf
  • Patent number: 7780026
    Abstract: A stackable container includes top and bottom surfaces; opposing side surfaces; opposing end surfaces; and interlock mechanisms on at least one of 1) the top and bottom surfaces, 2) the opposing side surfaces and 3) the opposing end surfaces. Because of the interlock mechanisms, a plurality of the containers may be stacked and shipped, such as on a pallet, without the use of support bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Edward S. Zuckerman
  • Patent number: 7740147
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a beverage container includes a ball and socket assembly having a ball member and a corresponding socket member. The socket member includes extendable arms that engage the ball member. The ball and socket assembly permits the cover to be polyaxially rotated with respect to the beverage container. The cover is rotatable from a closed position, where the cover is seated against the beverage container, to a variety of open positions, where the cover can be rotated out of view from a user drinking from the beverage container. The ball and socket assembly, in addition, may be configured to maintain the cover in a variety of open positions relative to the beverage container without auxiliary support or assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventor: Tyler Sean Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7735675
    Abstract: An environmentally safe concrete washout container employs one longitudinally extending side wall unit located on each side of the container. The side wall units assist in defining the space within the container for the collection of concrete waste, including concrete fluid washout material. Each side wall unit has an exterior wall and an interior wall, the walls forming a longitudinally extending open area. The internal walls have slotted openings at their upper and lower ends. Instead of spilling over the edge of the container, concrete fluid washout material which reaches a certain height within the space in the container flows through the upper slotted openings of the internal walls and then down into and through the open areas between the exterior and interior walls of the side wall units. The concrete fluid washout then flows through the lower slotted openings into an enclosed space or cofferdam, where it may be drained or pumped out of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Adamucci, Jr.