Patents Examined by Christopher McKinley
  • Patent number: 9278787
    Abstract: A single point hinge and a method of thermoforming a plastic container including a single point hinge include a lid, a tray, a single point hinge connecting the lid and the tray. The single point hinge includes an angle formed by a lid chamfer and a tray chamfer. The single point hinge further includes a lid well adjacent to the lid chamfer and a tray well adjacent to the tray chamfer, and the lid connects to the lid well and the tray connects to the tray well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Anchor Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Satya Garg, Brent Riales, David Smith, Tim Cimmerer
  • Patent number: 9193260
    Abstract: A closure device, such as a fuel cap, for controlling evaporative emissions from a fuel tank. In one aspect, the invention comprises: a housing defining an internal chamber containing a hydrocarbon adsorbing media; a fuel vapor diffuser extending from a floor of the internal chamber and into the internal chamber, the fuel vapor diffuser comprising: (1) an inlet passageway extending from a fuel vapor inlet port to a plenum in a top portion of the fuel vapor diffuser; and (2) a downcomer passageway extending from the plenum to at least one aperture located at a bottom portion of the fuel vapor diffuser, the at least one aperture forming a passageway between the downcomer passageway and the internal chamber; and at least one outlet passageway extending from the internal chamber to an atmospheric air outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventors: Aleko D. Sotiriades, Troy Timothy Fredrick Becker
  • Patent number: 9167931
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a pot with a sleeve attached to an outside portion of the pot, and a utensil holder coupled to the pot. The utensil holder includes an arm disposed through the sleeve and a handle pivotally attached to the arm, such that the handle can be rotated relative to the arm to position a portion of the handle inside the pot. The utensil holder can be configured at least in a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the handle is positioned outside the pot to enable the handle to be used as a grip for the pot, and in the second configuration, the portion of the handle is positioned inside the pot to enable the handle to support an object over the pot. In some embodiments, the handle may be attached to the arm with a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: Seana L. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 9162802
    Abstract: A drink bottle may include a container and a lid connected to the container. The lid may include a spout and a spout cover. Each of the spout and the spout cover may be moved in opposite directions between a stowed configuration and a dispensing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: IGNITE USA, LLC
    Inventors: Sami El-Saden, Blair E. Miller, Daniel M. Wodka, John W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 9162240
    Abstract: A liquid container assembly for a spray gun can include a ring, a collapsible liner, and a lid for closing the open end of the liner. The ring can include a peripheral flange, a ring recess, an inner wall, and at least one rib segment extending from the inner wall. The collapsible liner can include a liner side wall formed with an open end and a liner lip at the open end. The liner can be is insertable through the ring such that the liner lip is received and supported by the ring recess. Further, the liner can be collapsible during use as liquid is removed from the liner. The lid can include at least one tab that can extend from an outer circumference of the lid. The tabs can engage the rib segments to threadably attach to the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES, INC./SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIE
    Inventors: Ronald L. Gerson, Robert A. Brunell, David Anteski
  • Patent number: 9150339
    Abstract: A child-resistant container including a container body, a lid, and at least one resilient tab is provided. The lid is pivotable about an axis through a hinge joining the lid to the container body to open and close the container. The resilient tab has a proximal portion fixed to the lid, a distal portion projecting from the lid, and at least one abutment on the distal portion. The abutment on the distal portion of the tab is normally biased into engagement with an abutment on the container body when the lid is in its closed position. The distal portion of the tab is displaceable against the bias to disengage the abutment of the tab from the abutment of the container. Displacement of the tab releases the lid so that it can be pivoted about the hinge to open the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Giraud, Michel Zbirka, Joseph W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9126738
    Abstract: A cartridge is provided that comprises a housing. The housing is configured to maintain a pouch within the housing. The cartridge comprises a top and a bottom. The cartridge comprises at least one top mating member at the top of the cartridge and at least one bottom mating member at the bottom of the cartridge. The at least one top mating member is asymmetric with the at least one bottom mating member. Each mating member is configured to match with a corresponding mating member of a cartridge frame or rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Boggs, Paul J. Donnelly, Arthur Forkos, Hilary Farnsworth, Ronald Beilstein, Andrew T. Butkus, Edward P. Butler, III, Brian C. Jones
  • Patent number: 9096374
    Abstract: A lid for industrial or commercial large size solid waste containers has a ribbed single layer central portion and a peripheral edge having a hollow double wall boxed configuration. The lids have substantial symmetry so that the lids may be stacked and nested with alternate lids oriented in opposite front-to-back directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Craig V. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9067709
    Abstract: The technical problems of this invention are to overcome a limitation in the aspect of the shape of conventional synthetic resin double containers comprising an inner container and an outer container and to solve a problem of additional steps required to assemble the outer and inner containers. A principle means taken to solve these problems comprises a double container made by a direct blow molding process wherein a space is formed between the outer layer and the inner layer made of synthetic resins that are mutually non-adherent, thus allowing both layers to be left in a detached state due to a difference in mold shrinkage factors between the two layers during the direct blow molding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Furusawa
  • Patent number: 9067715
    Abstract: The bottle cap, this invention, is designed to be suitable for the container necks of different size. As recommended, the bottle cap with two connection sections may be assembled in the container necks showing the different sizes of 26.78 MM and 28.0 MM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jeong-Min Lee, Seong-Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 9061787
    Abstract: A three-piece resealable can for acidic liquid includes, a cylindrical can body member that includes a screw portion at one end; and a can bottom member that contacts the can body member so as to close an opening portion of the other end of the can body member. The can body member includes a cylindrical first steel sheet, Ni plating that is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the first steel sheet, a polyester film that is formed so as to be disposed on the outermost surface of the inner circumference of the can body member, and a chromate film that is formed between the first steel sheet and the polyester film. The can bottom member includes a second steel sheet, and Sn plating that is formed on the can body member side of the can bottom member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Hirano, Hiroshi Nishida, Hirokazu Yokoya
  • Patent number: 9061795
    Abstract: A container having a curved bottom and base cup which allows the container to stand upright. The container and base cup are fitted together by a mechanical engagement having portions on the container and base cup. The mechanical engagement of the container is disposed within the bottom cone of the container. The mechanical engagement of the base cup is cantilevered from the bottom of the base cup. Such disposition reduces stress at the interface between the side wall of the container and edge of the base, providing for a smoother transition and better appearance. Also, this disposition provides resistance to separation of the container and base cup during drop impact. The bottom of the container may be curved and have a well therein for receiving the contents of the container and a dip tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble
    Inventors: Richard Michael Girardot, Scott Edward Smith, Chow-chi Huang, Matthew John Martin, Terence McCarthy, Leonard Clyde Graham
  • Patent number: 9051089
    Abstract: A liquid container includes a brim forming an opening into a liquid reservoir chamber formed in the cup. A lid is coupled to the brim to form more than one seal with the container. The lid includes lid-removal blocker walls arranged to engage undercuts formed in the cup to retain the lid in a mounted position on the cup closing the opening into the liquid reservoir chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Jochem, Milan C. Maravich, Jeffrey A. Mann
  • Patent number: 9049951
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a multi-functional accessory serves as a platform for implementing modifications to a product in a time-saving and less costly manner, whereas the modifications would otherwise be made to the product itself. In an embodiment, the product is inserted into the multi-functional accessory. In an embodiment, the multi-functional accessory may be utilized in applications with exposure to a liquid or moisture and in dry applications with no or minimal exposure to a liquid or moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Brita LP
    Inventors: James R. Keys, Madeline Kwiecien, Brett D. McIntire, Daniel Nunez
  • Patent number: 9045932
    Abstract: A hole seal is disclosed including a cover having a body with an inner surface and an outer surface and an end portion attached to a first end of the body. The inner surface of the body includes a threaded portion, and the outer surface of the body includes an annular array of ribs disposed thereon. Each of the ribs has a predefined collapsible direction. The end portion includes a seal disposed on a peripheral edge of the end portion. The hole seal further includes a cap having an inner member and an outer portion. The inner member includes a threaded portion that is configured to cooperate with the threaded portion of the inner surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Allied Moulded Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg E. Laukhuf, Michael Todd Jackson, Andrew Brent Mendenhall, Todd Christopher Midkiff
  • Patent number: 9045255
    Abstract: A modular container system, consisting of at least one container, characterized in that having at least one monolithic housing (1) consisting a back wall (2), having an opening (3) for a screw and an area (3a) for double-sided adhesive tape; sidewalls (4); connection clips (5) attached to the back wall; a cover (6) equipped with pins (16) allowing installation of illumination; a base (7); a plastic insert (9) of cylindrical shape, enclosed at its base; a vertical attachment system consisting of vertical, male, sliding shape connector (10); and a vertical female connector; a horizontal attachment system consisting of top openings (12) and bottom openings (13), and a horizontal connector (14); a safety system consisting of a lock (17); and a system allowing to create a portable configuration, consisting of a base (19) containing a female vertical connector (20) and a handle (21a) and (21b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventor: Marcin Purtak
  • Patent number: 9038838
    Abstract: An intermodal container comprising: a plurality of self-centering volume maximizing posts; where the width of the container is about 38 inches to about 52 inches, the length is about 44 inches to about 110 inches, and the height is about 28 inches to about 88 inches; a plurality of side support members that act as very stiff springs that can provide shock dampening effects and reduce vibration to the interior of the container; a plurality of removable blocking and bracing members attached to support members; and where the cross-sectional area of each of the posts has more than 4 bends, where the bends are configured to provide greater strength to the posts while allowing for use of a lighter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Eirik Smedsrud Skeid
  • Patent number: 9038845
    Abstract: A container lid with a first cavity is provided. The lid includes a continuous outer coupling trough for attachment of the lid to the open top of a container. The lid also includes a straw-hole planar surface with a hole for drinking a liquid in the container. A riser wall may extend away from the straw-hole planar surface and defines a first planar surface above the straw-hole planar surface. The first planar surface includes a the first cavity that has side walls connected to the first planar surface and extending from the first planar surface to a position lower than the first planar surface and a bottom connected to the side walls. A second planar surface is also disclosed that has a second cavity formed therein. The first cavity may be adapted to receive a condiment container and the second cavity to receive a food container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TOP-THAT! LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Mark Buck
  • Patent number: 9010537
    Abstract: A protective enclosure for a touch screen device, the enclosure formed of a substantially rigid tray having a rim surrounding an interior device seating surface; a lid having a substantially rigid rim surrounding a window aperture, the rim of the lid corresponding to the rim of the tray; a pliable membrane having an interior window portion that is structured for viewing there through and is sized to project outwardly of the rim surrounding the window aperture of the lid; a continuous pliable seal adapted to be compressible between the rim of the lid and the rim of the tray; and a clamping mechanism structured for clamping the rim of the lid and the rim of the tray with the pliable seal forming a continuous substantially water-resistant seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 8985380
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a self-sealing system comprising a visco-elastic sealant material, an enclosed multi-cell structure surrounding the visco-elastic sealant material, and an integral pressure reservoir configured to maintain positive pressure within the enclosed multi-cell structure and provide potential energy to move the visco-elastic sealant material. In one embodiment, the enclosed multi-cell structure can have first and second skins, and an outer edge configured to contain visco-elastic sealant material between first and second skins. In one embodiment, the enclosed multi-cell structure can also have a plurality of nodes configured to connect first 100 and second skins. In one embodiment, at least one of the nodes has elasticity and can function as a tension spring. In one embodiment, at least one of nodes is loaded with releasable tension to provide a portion of the potential energy to move the visco-elastic sealant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: CCCIP, LLC
    Inventor: Richard L. Cook