Patents Examined by Madison L Wright
  • Patent number: 8069986
    Abstract: A blow molded plastic container is disclosed that includes a bottom portion, a top portion and a body portion. In an embodiment, the body portion includes side portions and includes at least one side portion that has a support protrusion extending therefrom. The top portion is connected to the body portion and includes a dispensing opening. The bottom portion is connected to the side portions. In an embodiment, when the container is positioned to rest on a surface on a side portion, the centerline axis of the dispensing opening is angled with respect to a plane formed by said surface. Embodiments of a container in which the side portion opposing the side support portion includes a receiving portion for receiving at least a portion of the support protrusion from a second similarly configured container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, James J. Miller, Richard A. Lovelace, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8066147
    Abstract: A crate, such as for transporting egg cartons or other items, includes a base, opposed side walls and a rear wall extending upward from the base. A front wall opposite the rear wall is selectably moveable between a closed position and a retracted, open position. In the retracted position, access to the interior of the crate is provided. In one embodiment, the front wall includes a plurality of pivotably connected sections, such that the front wall can be retracted to provide access to the interior. A latch selectively prevents movement of the front wall to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Ryan C. Meers, Justin M. Smyers, Roger S. Hsu
  • Patent number: 8061542
    Abstract: A drinking bottle assembly includes a bottle having a cavity for storing a fluid and a neck that forms an opening at a dispensing end of the bottle. A removable collar at least partially covers the bottle neck and provides a generally smooth outer surface for a person's mouth and lips to contact when drinking from the bottle. The collar includes a neck attachment for retaining the collar on the bottle. A removable cap can be selectively attached to the collar for opening and closing the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Murray Waters, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Poupore, Stacey Charlene Gay, Stephen Douglas Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8061548
    Abstract: A segregation disk and method of separately storing items in a collapsible, tubular container uses segregation disks for segregating the collapsible container into multiple chambers of user-selectable size. The segregation disks are generally planar disks having a diameter slightly greater than the interior diameter of the container, and formed of a flexible material that have a plurality of radial slits extending inwardly from their periphery to form a plurality of flexible wedges. At the terminus of each radial slit is a tear break, generally a circular hole. An integral pull tab extends from a peripheral region of one of the flexible wedges to facilitate removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: John David Peggs
  • Patent number: 8051982
    Abstract: A container particularly well suited to hold premoistened wipes is described. The container can be formed primarily from flat polymeric sheets. In one embodiment, for instance, the container can be formed and loaded with a stack of wipes all in a single process. Further, the flat polymeric sheets used to form the container can be printed with various graphics during formation of the container so as to apply any suitable graphics to the container. Through the process of the present disclosure, containers can be formed having a sleek and compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane Lyle McDonald
  • Patent number: 8047394
    Abstract: A safety device for at least one container, in particular a blow-molded plastic container, preferably in ampoule form, has a supply part (5) for accommodating a medium which can be dispensed via a container opening (9). The container opening (9) can be closed by a first safety part (11) which counteracts opening forces with a predefinable resistance. The predefinable resistance can be overcome for the release of the container opening (9) with the aid of a second safety part (15) which interacts with the first safety part (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Bernd Hansen
  • Patent number: 8042701
    Abstract: An integrated bottle enclosure includes a top cap, bottom cap, rigid straw casing and telescoping straw assembly to provide efficient means to contain a straw within a sealed bottle. Opening the top cap presents a straw ready for immediate use, or the straw may be grasped and pulled, to reveal ample straw length for keeping a consumer's mouth away from the bottle. The top cap and bottom cap connect by means to create a secure straw vault which prevents fluid from leaking out of the straw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Erez Raman, Dov Schriber
  • Patent number: 8033412
    Abstract: A double-walled drinking vessel, e.g., a tumbler, is described that is constructed of a downwardly tapered outer wall with a bottom and a continuous side wall with an upper rim; a inner wall with a bottom and a continuous side wall with an upper rim, the inner wall being spaced inwardly from the outer wall and including a first downwardly tapered section extending downwardly from the rim, a second downwardly tapered section extending upwardly from the bottom, and a continuous cylindrical section of a given height and diameter between the first and second tapered sections; and a decorative fabric band secured around the cylindrical section, the band having a width approximately equal to the width of the cylindrical section and a length at least as great as the diameter of the cylindrical band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: The Mainstreet Collection, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracy W. Mayo
  • Patent number: 8028854
    Abstract: The subject invention is a lid assembly (20) for use on a container (22) presenting an endless top rim (24). A frame (26) includes shell-shaped sidewalls (36) that face one another, and present upper concave central edges (48). The upper concave central edges (48) are connected by lower edges (50) to define opposed L-shaped openings (54) between the central edges (48). A pair of abutting L-shaped flaps (28) each define a top leg (64) and a side leg (68). The flaps (28) are complementary to the L-shaped openings (54) by extending away from each other along the upper central edges (48) of the sidewalls (36) and then downward to the lower edge (50). The top legs (64) may be pushed down into the opening (54) to provide access to the container (22) while the side legs (68) bias the flaps (28) to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: HMS Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Janet M. Sofy, Robert W. Patterson, Scott M. Luplow
  • Patent number: 8025179
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention discloses a circumferential sleeve made from a single pre-cut blank with no additional material (other than adhesive) added to the blank. The circumferential sleeve has a strip that protrudes from the sleeve and one end of the strip is contiguous to a first portion sleeve such as the bottom edge and the other end of the strip is attached to a portion of the sleeve, such as the rear panel. The strip can be arcuate or L-shaped and permits a food container to stand upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Miller, Matthew Phillips, Matthew Prancuk
  • Patent number: 8020718
    Abstract: A filler tube assembly for vehicles is disclosed. The filler tube assembly includes a fuel supply tube made of aluminum for injecting a fuel into a fuel tank of the vehicle, a gas circulation tube having one end coupled to a front end of the fuel supply tube and the other end coupled to the fuel tank, so as to circulate a gas when the fuel is supplied, a tube cap made of aluminum and fixed to the front end of the fuel supply tube, and a shutter fixed to an inner portion of the front end of the fuel supply tube to prevent reverse current of the fuel supplied in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Ho Soon Jung
  • Patent number: 8020719
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure for a container for holding a fluid, more particularly an adhesion promoter composition, provided, having a base element which can be fastened in the region of a pour opening of the container and which has an opening through which the fluid can be withdrawn from the container, having a first closure element which in a closed position thereof effects fluid-tight sealing of the opening of the base element and which in an open position thereof releases the opening of the base element, and having a second closure element, which can be fastened to the base element in such a way as to be repeatedly releasable and which, in a container storage mode, secures the first closure element in its storage position and, for a container dispensing mode, releases the first closure element to bring it from its closed position into the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventors: Dana Maiwald, David Tobler, Andreas Widmer, Fritz Dill
  • Patent number: 8016146
    Abstract: A spill resistant cap for a container, such as a commercially available water or other beverage bottle, includes a cap body that forms a mating fit with the container and a spout having liquid dispense holes that allow fluid to flow out of the container. A removable valve is sized to fit within the cap body. The valve includes a valve mechanism that opens in response to a pressure differential applied across the valve face, such as the mouth suction applied to the spout when a person attempts to drink from the container, allowing fluid to flow through the valve and through the liquid dispense holes in the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen S. Rekstad
  • Patent number: 8011527
    Abstract: A can end for a two-piece beverage can is described. The can end has a center panel positioned about a vertical center axis. The center panel has a stay-on tab opening assembly located on a public side. A reinforcing bead surrounds the center panel. The reinforcing bead has an inner curved portion having a radius of curvature located radially inwardly from an outer curved portion having a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the outer curved portion is greater than the radius of curvature of the inner curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Randall G. Forrest, Timothy L. Turner
  • Patent number: 8006858
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a container comprising forming a basket portion of metal mesh material and a rail connected to the basket portion. The rail extends substantially outwardly from the outer surface of the basket portion and the rail extends continuously around the outer surface of the basket portion. In one example, the method includes forming the rail so that it does not contain or surround a free edge of the basket portion. In another example, the method includes forming the rail so that it includes an opening for containing or surrounding a free edge of the basket portion. The method may also include forming a lower rail. The present invention is also directed to a container formed by such method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Design Ideas, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsi-Ming Cheng, R. Neal Post, Christopher Hardy
  • Patent number: 8006843
    Abstract: A stackable food and beverage service tray includes a substantially planar tray bottom and a sloping side wall extending upwardly and outwardly from an inner peripheral edge of the tray bottom so as to surround said tray bottom. The tray bottom has an upper floor surface and an underside surface. The tray's sloping side wall has an inner surface and an outer surface with the side wall's outer surface adjoining the tray's underside surface at a peripheral bottom edge of the tray. A raised rib is provided on the inner surface of the sloping side wall. Feet are also provided on the tray's underside surface along the bottom edge of the tray. The tray's raised rib and feet cooperate to define a space between stacked trays through which air can flow to facilitate drying of the stacked trays after they have been washed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Gadsen Coffee Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David Bruce McFarland
  • Patent number: 8002142
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a fuel tank system for an air vehicle. The system comprises a container having an interior adapted to hold fuel, the container comprising a first opening placing the interior in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, and a volumetrically-adjustable sizing device adapted to change volume in response to changes in surrounding air pressure, the sizing element disposed within the container and adapted to contain a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Armand Losinski, Matthew Tehan
  • Patent number: 8002141
    Abstract: A storage unit which is substantially water proof is provided. The storage unit may comprise a shell having lower edges which mate into a groove formed in a top surface of a base to provide a substantially waterproof barrier therebetween. The junction between the lower edge of the side walls and the first groove may be sealed with a water proof sealant. A front side wall of the shell may have an aperture therethrough to allow users to move items into and out of the storage unit. A door may be attached to the storage unit to prevent water from entering into the storage unit through the aperture. Moreover, a lower edge of the door body may be inserted into a second groove formed in the top surface of the base to prevent water from entering into the storage unit from under the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Duffield Marine, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall Duffield
  • Patent number: 8002140
    Abstract: A bowl includes non-slip means and spoon-assisted food conglomeration means. In a preferred embodiment, the bowl is transparent. Non-slip means may include a weight structure, a non-slip material affixed to the bowl bottom either substantially continuously covering the bottom or substantially discontinuously covering the bottom. Spoon-assisted food conglomeration means may include a sloped bottom, a substantially spoon-shaped locus, a steep rim, or an inward-curving rim. The bowl may further include spillage reduction means. Spillage reduction means may include an abrupt taper terminus, a steep rim, an inward-curving rim, or a chamfered or rounded bowl vertex. Alternatively the bowl may comprise a sloped bottom terminating in a substantially spoon-shaped locus and further comprise non-slip means. In alternate embodiments the bowl may further comprise spillage reduction means or be characterized by a substantial transparent region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Baby Dipper LLC
    Inventors: Barbara McNew Schantz, Hans Gregory Schantz, Patrick Allan McNew
  • Patent number: 7992737
    Abstract: Container for products, such as surprises or similar accessories, comprising two half-shells (2, 4), with a containing wall (2a, 2b; 4a, 4b) and with an open mouth (10, 12), able to be coupled together mouth-to-mouth so as to form a closed container (1), where the two half-shells (2, 4) are connected together by means of hinging means (20), with a hinging axis (a-a) such as to allow the movement of one of the, half-shells (2, 4) with respect to the other one between a closed position of the container (1) and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Magic Production Group (M.P.G.) S.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Salice