Patents Examined by Byron P. Gehman
  • Patent number: 6092659
    Abstract: A shipping container which inhibits improper orientation by its shape and also provides protection for its contents. The container has a number of side panels, a top end and a bottom end. A top closure covers the top end and a bottom closure covers the bottom end. The top closure projects above the top end to a preselected height and by it shape inhibits placing the container on the top closure. The bottom closure is recessed within the container to a depth at least as deep as the height of the top closure so that a plurality of containers may be nested together. The container may also include a crush resistant structure as an integral part of the top closure or a separate insert. The structure has outer walls and inner load-bearing walls which inhibit the structure from collapsing when a compressive force is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Gateway 2000, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Peasley, Roger D. Schlapia, Paul R. Kayl, Matthew R. Merk
  • Patent number: 6026950
    Abstract: An eyeglass case with two selectively relatively openable and closable housing elements, one of which includes a bump extending toward the other and adapted to accept therearound a clip-on pair and thereover a regular pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Justin Case, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6012575
    Abstract: The compact disk carrying case includes, in one embodiment, an outer enclosure which is defined by two clam-shell members. Each clam-shell member has an interfacing edge which mates with the corresponding interfacing edge on the other clam-shell member. A mechanism is provided, such as a zipper, for closing the interfacing edges thereby forming a closeable outer enclosure within which is captured a plurality of compact disks. The clam-shell members are hinged together along a portion of each respective interfacing edge. The carrying case includes a plurality of compact disk carrying plates which are grouped together into n end pairs of plates by n hinges. Each hinge has a progressively increasing span distance between the respective connected plates. Accordingly, these hinges establish minimum, a plurality of intermediate and a maximum span distance between the respective connected plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Ezra D. Eskandry
  • Patent number: 6012581
    Abstract: A stacking display for merchandise including a first main panel comprised of a side panel, an upper edge panel, a lower edge panel, an upper floor panel, and a lower floor panel. A second main panel is provided that is comprised of a side panel, an upper edge panel, a lower edge panel, an upper floor panel, and a lower floor panel. A first small panel is provided that is comprised of a side panel having a first side foldably secured to a second side of the side panel of the first main panel. The first small panel includes an upper edge panel, a lower edge panel, an upper floor panel, and a lower floor panel. A second small panel is provided that is comprised of a side panel having a first side foldably secured to a second side of the side panel of the second main panel and a second side foldably secured to a first side of the side panel of the first main panel. The second small panel includes an upper edge panel, a lower edge panel, an upper floor panel, and a lower floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Orazio Ray Galazzo
  • Patent number: 5984089
    Abstract: A prepackaged disposable towelette and saline solution each separably held within separate sealed chambers or compartments of a disposable sealed package. The towelette is presaturated with a neutralizing solution so that, as finger residue is rubbed off and absorbed into the fabric of the towelette, the finger skin pH is also substantially neutralized which minimizes eye irritation each time a contact lens user reinstalls each contact lens. The saline solution rewets each contact lens before contact lens installation to further reduce eye irritation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Richard Scott Dotson
  • Patent number: 5947284
    Abstract: A package tray for holding a medical instrument having a resiliently flexible distal end portion improves the control of the distal end during removal of instrument by limiting the withdrawal of the distal end portion of the instrument from an arcuate portion of storage space in the tray to movement in a direction longitudinal with respect to the instrument, thereby preventing side to side whipping motion of the distal end portion upon withdrawal of the instrument from the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventor: Brian W. Foster
  • Patent number: 5938032
    Abstract: A system of the present invention includes a tandem package and an apparatus and method for making the same. The tandem package includes a strip of film material having a plurality of medicament containing compartments. To prevent ripping or exposure of the medicament in an adjacent compartment upon opening of an individual segment of the package, each compartment is separated by a dividing member. In addition, to facilitate opening of the each segment while providing increased resistance to opening by children, each segment includes a pinhole in at least one corner of the segment perpendicular to a fold line. Thus to open the segment to expose the medicament, the corner may be folded along the fold line and torn at the pinhole, with the dividing member limiting tearing of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Ivers-Lee Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Svec, Edward L. Nugent, Kathryn K. Carpenter, Frank Schicitano
  • Patent number: 5927497
    Abstract: In a pack of substantially parallel-stacked transportable washers, at least two through-holes are provided in each washer, the two legs of a substantially U-shaped metal or plastic wire being positioned in the two through-holes of the stack of washers. The free ends of the legs projecting beyond the stack are bent over to positions oriented at approximately right angles to the respective legs. By appropriate force on the crosspiece, or on an extension, the wire is pulled back out of the stack of washers, the free ends being restraightened in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: SFS Industrie Holding AG
    Inventors: Stefan Baumgartner, Daniel Gasser, Jurg Maurer, Walter Seifert
  • Patent number: 5871089
    Abstract: The package (10) provides a first panel (11) and a second panel (12) foldably connected thereto. The first panel (11) serves as a winding panel and is connected at opposite sides to various separation panels (18,19, 20,21). Thread coils (42) can be wound on the first panel (11), the needles (43) thereof are inserted into a foam material needle support (24). After that, a separation panel (19) is folded over to cover a part of the finished thread coil (42). Above that, a further thread coil is produced. The individual separation panels (18-21) each only cover a part of the thread coil below, yet keep the threads from becoming entangled with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: B. Braun Surgical AG
    Inventor: Erich K. Odermatt
  • Patent number: 5848700
    Abstract: An emergency medical kit includes a carrying case of approximately briefcase or small suitcase size with the upper and lower sections divided into a large number of compartments by insertion of a plastic organizer. Each compartment is directed to a particular medical emergency and is so identified on its cover or lid. The reverse side of the compartment cover has instructions for treating the particular emergency, while the compartment contains the necessary care items for that particular emergency. A divider is held by snaps across the upper section of the case to help contain the contents and also provides instruction for use of the kit, some general first aid information, and a list of emergency telephone numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Nathaniel Horn
  • Patent number: 5826727
    Abstract: A shipping and display container, a generally C-shaped or L-shaped configuration enabling vertical orientation of an elongated motor driven tool is disclosed. The container allows access to the tool without destruction or manipulation of the shipping and display container. In addition, the tool may be utilized as a handle for carrying both the tool and container. The container has display surfaces adapted to receive point of sale display graphics while greatly increasing the viewing angle of consumers approaching the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Ryobi North America Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Fraser
  • Patent number: 5803245
    Abstract: A package for dispensing one or more condoms directly on a penis. The package consists of a flexible container having the general configuration of a penis with a first leak proof layer inside with the open end of the layer stretched over the outside of the container. The layer has a strip for providing penetration or unsealing. The condom is located within the layer and the open end is rolled over the outside of the container and the leak proof layer. A second leak proof layer lines the inside of the condom with the open end rolled over the first leak proof layer and the condom. To dispense the condom on a penis, the penis is inserted and the strip is pulled to unseal the condom from the first layer, permitting the penis and the condom to be removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Airtite Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick Wood
  • Patent number: 5782349
    Abstract: A CD-ROM holder suitable for binding. In a preferred embodiment, the CD-ROM is sealed between two vinyl sheets by means of a heat sealing operation. A cardboard spacer is positioned around the CD-ROM in order to limit its movement and to provide a consistent thickness across a majority of the holder. The holder is then gathered with the signatures of the book and bound therewith, after which a portion of the holder is trimmed off in the book trimming operation. One of the heat seal lines on the holder provides a convenient tear line for removing the holder (and hence the CD-ROM) from the bound book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Jeff Combs
  • Patent number: 5743404
    Abstract: A container is presented having a hollow substrate with a coating covering at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes a mixture of a base material and an adhesive where the base material is absorbent with respect to nontoxic dyes such as food coloring. One preferred base material includes rice powder. The substrate can be egg shaped, so that the coated container forms a synthetic Easter egg that can be colored with food coloring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventors: Connie Melashenko, Robert Melashenko
  • Patent number: 5682987
    Abstract: A watch box includes a base, and a watch bezel holder comprising a plurality of louvered slats on the base. Each slot has a first edge and a second edge that is opposite to the first edge. The first edge of each slat contacts the base and each slat is disposed to form a predetermined acute angle between the slat and the base. Adjacent slats are separated forming a slot between the slats for holding a watch bezel. Another embodiment uses a boustrophedonic member to form the slots for holding bezels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Jack Herzog
  • Patent number: 5682992
    Abstract: An accordion pleated media storage unit is provided which is constructed of a continuous elongate web of flexible material, such as a non-woven polyester spun material. A continuous zigzag fold of the elongate web creates multiple overlying planes, each of which has at least one edge which is integral with an adjacent plane. A bond is then formed along each edge of a pair of adjacent planes, extending from a common edge to a point just short of the mid-line of each plane, such that multiple adjacent pockets are formed which, when the unit is extended, are separated by a specified distance and wherein the pocket dimensions are not altered, greatly enhancing insertion and retrieval of a storage media element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: CD3 Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Eugene Hunt, Verlon Eugene Whitehead
  • Patent number: 5611431
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier for packaging three rows of beverage cans or other related articles. A reinforcing strip having clip-type support panels at either end is glued to the underside of the top panel of the carrier. The support panels assist in supporting the end cans of the middle row to prevent the end cans from falling out of the open ends of the carrier and also provide a two-ply handle construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5450953
    Abstract: A compact disc package and a method of assembling the same wherein a generally rectangular envelope is formed to contain a slidable carrier sheet which is capable of holding a compact disc thereon. The carrier sheet includes a protruding tab which extends through a predefined slit in the retaining envelope to restrict movement of the carrier sheet so that the carrier sheet is only partially removable from said envelope. The novel compact disc package can be formed from a single series of rectangular sections assembled to create an envelope and a carrier sheet having movement restricted within the open area of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: James Reisman
  • Patent number: 5429243
    Abstract: A packaging box for receiving a plurality of fragile elongated objects, such as small bottles, ampoules or the like, has a compartmented insert with at least one partition. To enable additionally accommodating a brochure in the folding box in a readily visible and accessible manner, a separate wall is disposed parallel to one broad side wall of the folding box; the partitions adjoin this separate wall, which together with the one broad side wall forms a pocket for receiving the folded brochure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Woelk, Manfred Hermann, Eberhard Krieger, Guenter Loew
  • Patent number: 5390784
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier including partial end panels for covering the pricing code on the end articles in the package. The partial end panels are comprised of flaps connected to the side panels and to the end tuck flaps of a set of three triangularly shaped tuck flaps. The three tuck flaps interact with the end articles in the carrier to act as a locking mechanism which holds the end panel flaps in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland