Patents Examined by Joseph Man-Fu Moy
  • Patent number: 7100788
    Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. Upper vents are formed on four sides of an upper portion of the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays may be provided with tray vents that align with the ventilation channels. Alternatively, the trays may be formed without tray vents to improve some cooling regimes. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets, oriented in either the “X” or “Y” directions can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the baskets and thence through the produce packed inside, regardless of the orientation of the trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sambrailo Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Cadiente, William K. Sambrailo, Mark Sambrailo
  • Patent number: 7032766
    Abstract: A receptacle is disclosed. The receptacle includes a lower portion, an upper portion, and a passage provided in the upper portion in communication with the lower portion. An end is provided above the passage providing a closed section. An aperture provided in a side of the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: DCI Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Luedecke, Carol S. Luedecke
  • Patent number: 7014059
    Abstract: An explosion resistant waste container (10) includes an outer open-topped container (16). The outer open-topped container (16) is sized to receive an inner open-topped container (12) and leave a space therebetween. Both the outer open-topped container (16) and the inner open-topped container (12) are cylinders made of sufficiently strong materials, e.g. 11 gauge steel, for withstanding the forces of an explosion. A reinforcing material (14), e.g. reinforced concrete, is disposed within the space between the outer open-topped container (16) and the inner open-topped container (12). The outer open-topped container (16) and the reinforcing material (14) reinforce the inner open-topped container (12) so as to provide greater resistance to deformation caused by explosions and to shield surrounding persons and property from the explosive forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Master Lite Security Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert W. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6938640
    Abstract: A recessed box assembly (20) for a dryer exhaust hose (72) includes a box portion (22), having walls defining a box interior (26) open at a front, and a frame (24) attachable to the box portion (22). The box portion (22) has a port (42) in one of the walls configured to allow a dryer exhaust vent duct (40) to pass into the box interior (26) for interconnection with the dryer exhaust hose (72). Tabs (44) extend from the planar walls into the box interior (26) and releasably engage with receptacle sections (46) on the frame (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Michael S. Mustoe
  • Patent number: 6918502
    Abstract: A collapsible container orientable between assembled and collapsed positions having a base, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. The base has a pair of opposing upstanding end flanges integral thereto defining a corner line at each end and a side face member perpendicular. A pair of opposing side edges lie in a plane parallel to and spaced inward from an adjacent co-planar pair of side face members and extending therebetween. Opposing side walls are pivotably attached to one of the opposing side edges, forming an extension of the base when the container is in assembled. Each side wall has a latch member at each lateral edge having upper and lower curved surfaces and a tooth at its distal end. Each end wall has a pair of flanges with an opening sized to slidingly receive a latching member in the assembled state and is securely held by a living hinge. The container is adapted to being nestable when in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Trenton M. Overholt, William Patrick Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Patent number: 6910597
    Abstract: The present invention is a container assembly that includes an inner tube formed from a plastic that is substantially inert to bodily fluids and an outer tube that is formed from a different plastic. Collectively, the container assembly is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas and water permeability in the assembly and for extending the shelf-life of the container assembly, especially when used for blood collection. The inner container is spaced from the outer container at most locations. However, the inner container includes an enlarged top configured to engage the outer container. The enlarged top has a roughened outer surface to permit an escape of air from the space between the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Michael Iskra
  • Patent number: 6899241
    Abstract: A waste collecting box to be placed on the roadside that includes a rear panel, side panels and a front panel wherein each of the side panels comprises two vertical segments, i.e., posterior and anterior segments jointed rotatably to a central junction such that the two segments can be folded at the junction with the junction moving inward until the two segments overlap with each other to form a flat structure; the rear vertical end of the posterior segment of each side panel is jointed rotatably to the lateral vertical end of the rear panel; and the front vertical end of the anterior segment of each side panel is jointed rotatably to the lateral vertical end of the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Ai. Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6892895
    Abstract: A collapsible container configured to lay substantially flat in a collapsed position and maintain an extended or usable position by utilizing load-bearing means rigidly disposed among and affixed to various support members. The load-bearing means are adapted to receive support members and sustain the container in its usable position when a load is placed therein. The load bearing means resist movement of support members in the direction caused by the load exerted on the container. When the load is removed, the load-bearing means is adapted to permit the support members to be withdrawn there from so that the container may be transitioned to a substantially flat collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: AAA Imports, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaotan Zhu, Datan Zhu
  • Patent number: 6889864
    Abstract: The invention relates to a source chemical container assembly, comprising a metal container functioning as a vacuum chamber and provided with a removable closure, which removable closure seals against the metal container with a metal seal. In order to facilitate easy recharging of the container assembly, compressive force is applied to the metal seal through a tension chain. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the metal seal and the tension chain are provided along a circumference of said metal container. The assembly can comprise an inner container in which the source chemical is contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: ASM International, NV
    Inventors: Sven Lindfors, Jan von Zweygbergk, Marko J. Kukkonen
  • Patent number: 6889837
    Abstract: A process for making and packaging multi serving ice cream products using cryogenic hardening of ice cream in consumer containers before the containers are closed and labeled. A plastic tray container which is stable when disposed horizontally or vertically provides better processing and an improved package for both retailers and consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Creative Edge Design Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Soehnlen, Gregory M. Soehnlen, Dale A. Panasewicz
  • Patent number: 6889838
    Abstract: A stacking tool case vertically stackable with additional stacking tool cases having an identical configuration has a shell-shaped bottom part having an opening facing in an upward vertical direction. A cover closes the opening. The bottom part has stacking posts extending in the upward vertical direction, wherein the cover in a closed state of the tool case is arranged between the stacking posts. The stacking posts support a bottom part of a stacking tool case placed on top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Electric Tools GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Meier, Vitus Müller-Chorus, Horst Garbrecht
  • Patent number: 6886704
    Abstract: A container assembly comprises a first container and a second container. The first container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The rim has a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The rim has a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second rim and the first rim are shaped substantially the same. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces. The first container may be shaped substantially the same as the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hayes, Scott D. Brown
  • Patent number: 6886705
    Abstract: The fuel tank includes a tank main body, a filler pipe, a first breather pipe, and a second breather pipe. The tank main body stores fuel therein. The filler pipe supplies fuel to the tank main body. The first breather pipe connects the upper space of the tank main body to the neighboring portion of a fuel supply opening. The second breather pipe connects the middle portion of the filler pipe to the neighboring portion of the fuel supply opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Souma, Osamu Kondo, Hisayuki Goma, Shoji Uhara, Naoki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6886703
    Abstract: A vertically adjustable work bucket apparatus includes a shell and a container, wherein the container is vertically adjustable within the shell. The shell includes a plurality of furrow series, wherein the furrows series each have a plurality of furrows, along the interior sidewall of the shell. The furrows are provided to receive, house and support corresponding ribs that are affixed to the exterior sidewall of the container. The container is radially rotated so that the ribs are aligned within the furrows to match a desired profile setting, including at least a maximum and minimum profile. The shell includes a plurality of rollers affixed to the bottom of the shell to allow for easy transportation and positioning of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: James D. Bonner
  • Patent number: 6886694
    Abstract: A nestable and stackable food storage container has a base with a bottom panel. The bottom panel has an upper side, a lower side, and a base perimeter. The base also has a cylindrical side wall extending generally upward from and around the base perimeter. The side wall terminates at a top edge and defines an open top. A lid has a top panel with a top side, a bottom side, and a lid perimeter. A nesting structure is provided at least in part on a portion of the base and at least in part on a portion of the lid. The nesting structure permits removably nesting the lower side of the base with the lid in either a standard lid orientation or an inverted lid orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Carolyn M. McNeeley, Leighann Sturgin
  • Patent number: 6886711
    Abstract: In a high-pressure tank 1 in which a gas discharge section 5 is extended from one end of a cylindrical section 2 through a dome section 4 by plastically deforming a short hollow cylindrical blank of metal, the gas discharge section 5 is set at a thickness at least three times that of the cylindrical section 2, and the dome section 4 is gradually increased in thickness from that of the cylindrical section 2 to that of the gas discharge section 5 in proceeding from the cylindrical section 2 to the gas discharge section 5. Thereby, a high-pressure tank capable of withstanding higher pressures than used at the present time is provided easily and at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Samtech Corporation
    Inventors: Teppei Sakaguchi, Yoshiki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 6886693
    Abstract: A framework supporting a substantially moisture-sealed enclosure and a wall that cooperates with the framework to define an open compartment, wherein the wall is movable along a reciprocal path for adjusting the size of the open compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Davenport, Jeffrey D. Williams, Torrey L. Porter
  • Patent number: 6883673
    Abstract: The table serving tray may be a pair of tray elements that are interlocked together at an adjoining wall portion of a wall that is attached to a base. The adjoining wall portion of each tray may have an approximately semicircular cross section lip interlocking element on a portion of an upper edge of the adjoining wall portion. Each adjoining wall portion may have a centrally disposed channel that form a hole when the pair of tray elements are interlocked to place the tray on a table and around an upstanding projection thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Mervin D. Gourley
  • Patent number: 6880720
    Abstract: A portable containment for receiving spilled fluid having collapsible end and side walls which in combination with a floor form a containment area when held in an upright position by braces position along the walls. In use certain of the walls and braces are collapsed into folded or down positions to allow vehicle entry into the containment area. Skids are positioned beneath the braces associated with certain walls. Flotation members are secured along the upper edges of at least the certain walls. The flotation members are capable of elevating the certain walls in the event spillage occurs prior to the certain walls being repositioned into the upright position. Elevation of the certain walls causes the associated braces to slide over the skids to assure their upstanding position which maintaining the walls in their upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Edward W. Van Romer
  • Patent number: 6881937
    Abstract: A thermoformed disposable food container having a wall caliper of from about 10 to about 80 mils consisting essentially of from about 30 to about 80 percent by weight of a matrix polymer composition consisting predominantly of a polypropylene polymer and optionally including a polyethylene polymer, from about 10 to about 50 percent mica, from about 2.5 to about 25 percent calcium carbonate, and up to about 5 weight percent titanium dioxide, exhibits enhanced rigidity when the calcium carbonate has a mean particle size of less than about 8 microns. The extrudable compositions are likewise useful for film, sheet and injection molding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Swiontek