Patents Examined by Nhan T. Lam
  • Patent number: 6176374
    Abstract: A container system for storing and transporting sensitive components such as semiconductor chips is disclosed. The container system includes in combination, a housing and a plurality of component carriers for receiving components to be stored and transported in stacked banks. The plurality of component carriers are stacked one on top of the other in a top-to-bottom stacked arrangement within the housing. An underside bottom surface of a first component carrier provides a top cover to a second component carrier positioned immediately below the first component carrier, wherein a component carrier includes a compartmental core for storing components on a top surface thereof in segmented row compartments, each segmented row compartment having sidewall surfaces and a bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Michael Blondin, Jeffrey Jay Jones, David J. Rich, Woody Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 6168015
    Abstract: A CD package includes a CD tray for removably holding a CD, and a paper mount to which the CD tray is affixed. The CD tray is formed of paper produced from raw material other than wood pulp; specifically, paper produced from a combination of kenaf and bamboo fibers. The paper mount is formed of paper that contains kenaf and/or bagasse fibers in an amount of about 5-30% by weight and wood pulp as the, balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignees: Shimizu Printing & Packaging Co., Ltd., Fuji Cone Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6164453
    Abstract: A bulk container for flowable materials includes flexible inner and outer tubular members. The lower edge of the outer member and the lower edge of the inner member are joined together along a bottom peripheral seam. Vertical support members are inserted into a plurality of pockets around the container so that the container is automatically self-stabilizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Paper Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Perkins
  • Patent number: 6164451
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetics case including a front cover, a back cover, a connecting member coupling the front cover to the back cover. A binder member is situated on at least one of the connecting member, the front cover and the back cover. The binder member includes at least one holder, with the at least one holder detachably coupling at least one cosmetic holder insert to the binder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Trish McEvoy, Ltd.
    Inventor: Patricia McEvoy Sherman
  • Patent number: 6155423
    Abstract: The invention is a blister package for containing frangible dosage forms while protecting the dosage forms from damage during transport and opening of the package.A blister sheet defines one or more recesses in which frangible dosage forms are disposed and a peelable sheet of lidding material overlies the recesses to cover the dosage forms therein. The dosage forms engage each recess to prevent shifting of the dosage form during transport. Indicia on the blister package directs the user with regard to the procedure for opening the package without damaging the dosage forms. Unsealed areas in the package, which provide a portion of lidding material which the user can grab to peel open the package, are provided with dimples which hide the grabable portion of lidding material from children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Cima Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Leo D. Katzner, Brian Jones, Jack Khattar, John Kosewick
  • Patent number: 6152303
    Abstract: A two-part hinged carrying case having a first and a second part. First and second molded foam inserts formed from electrically non-conductive resilient foam are positioned, respectively, within the first and second part of the two-part hinged carrying case. The first molded foam insert includes a number of two-part cavities formed therein and open to a first insert surface. Each of the two-part cavities has a first cavity open to the first insert surface having a first diameter less than a diameter of a battery to be inserted therein and a depth greater than one-half a length of the battery to be inserted therein and a second cavity concentrically oriented with the first cavity and in connection with the first cavity. The second cavity has a second diameter at least one-quarter inch less than the first diameter and a depth greater than a positive pole protrusion of the battery to be inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventors: Robert J. Ducote, Glenda Ducote
  • Patent number: 6148994
    Abstract: This invention relates to a package of a plurality of containers unitized with a flexible carrier. The carrier is constructed from a plastic planar sheet having a plurality of container receiving openings including corner container receiving openings and inner container receiving openings. A panel is positioned with respect to a straight longitudinal panel edge of the container receiving openings. When the containers are inserted into the container receiving openings, the panel remains flat and tight with respect to the containers. The panel is urged into a flat position with respect to the containers through a distinct spatial relationship between and among the container receiving openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Olsen
  • Patent number: 6149002
    Abstract: A container has a wall member; a front panel; and a rear panel generally parallel to and spaced apart from the front panel. The front and rear panels are connected about their peripheries to the wall member which extends between the front and rear panels to define a volume. The rear panel, the front panel and the wall member is a unitary, blow molded member including a generally rigid shell, and a plurality of flexible membranes each of which has a periphery and a surface. The periphery of the flexible membranes is bonded to the generally rigid shell. The surfaces of the flexible membranes are separated from the generally rigid shell to form a plurality of unbonded areas between the surfaces of the flexible membranes and the generally rigid shell. Air is contained within the unbonded areas, thereby forming a plurality of air pockets between the flexible membranes and the generally rigid shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: 500 Group Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo M. B. Tiramani, John A. Bozak, Soohyun Ham
  • Patent number: 6149008
    Abstract: A refillable case with a net for containing powdery cosmetic material includes a case body made of an elastic synthetic resin material having an opening opened upward for containing the powdery cosmetic material, and a net frame attached to cover the opening of the case body. The net frame has a net, an annular engagement member on which the net is placed, and an annular coupling portion located above the annular engagement member to set the net at a higher position than the annular engagement member to prevent the cosmetic material from leaking from the refillable case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukitomo Yuhara
  • Patent number: 6149001
    Abstract: A cover for a portable computer is a thin flexible material adapted to fit closely over the computer like a glove. The cover has cut-outs for the keyboard, screen, controls, ports, etc. of the computer so that the cover does not interfere with convenient use of the computer. The cover is compact and adds little additional volume or weight to the computer, while protecting the computer housing or case, providing an attractive appearance and also providing convenient accessories, such as pockets for a power supply cord, floppy disks, CD ROM disks, pencils, etc. The computer may be carried or used with the cover installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: A. F. Akins, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony F. Akins
  • Patent number: 6145662
    Abstract: A tool carrier is disclosed. The tool carrier is provided with a lower rectilinear support having an upper plate and a lower plate. Each of the plates has a long length and a short width. Side plates are located there between for forming an opening through the support. The upper surface of the upper plate forms a lower recipient surface. An upper rectilinear support has an upper plate and a lower support plate. Each of the plates has a long length and a short width. Side plates between the upper and lower support plates form an opening. The upper surface of the upper plate forms a lower recipient surface. The length and width of the upper support is less than that of the lower support. A handle is operatively coupled to the upper surface of the upper support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Harold L. Newton
  • Patent number: 6145656
    Abstract: This invention relates to a single-piece carrier for unitizing a plurality of containers with a retainer sheet integrated with a carrier sleeve. The retainer sheet comprises a plurality of container receiving openings for engaging a top portion of a group of containers of the plurality of containers and two partial container receiving openings for partially engaging a top portion of two additional containers of the plurality of containers. The carrier sleeve surrounds the plurality of containers and a handle is positioned over a center row of containers. A package including containers comprises two layers of containers within the film sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie S. Marco
  • Patent number: 6142296
    Abstract: A dental implant package for supplying a dental implant and healing screw without impacting the sterility thereof is disclosed. The package comprises an elongated tubular housing with an open first end and a closed second end for receiving the dental implant and a cap for closing the tubular housing. The cap has a retainer therein for holding a healing screw and is constructed and arranged so that the cap in the fully open position presents the healing screw and dental implant side-by-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Lifecore Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Klardie, Jeremy Matthew Huotari, Jean B. Christensen, Peter B. Swenson
  • Patent number: 6138823
    Abstract: Conventional cigarette packets with flap-tops are often referred to as hinge-lid packets. They consist of a packet portion 12, a lid 13 connected to the packet portion 12 by a hinge, and a collar 35 disposed in the packet portion 12. In order to create new appeal for hinge-lid packets, openings 52, 53 are formed with the packet portion 12 and the lid 13 so that imprinting may be displayed. The openings or recesses 52, 53 are closed on the side pointing towards the packet contents, namely the block of cigarettes 45. Regions 50, 51 of the collar front wall 36 and lid inner flap 43, respectively, serve as carriers for the imprinting so that it may be displayed through the openings 52 and 53.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Harald Gosebruch
  • Patent number: 6138822
    Abstract: A convenient, safe and economical packaging system for holding elongated smoking members has an open receptacle ashtray that collapses to a reduced closed receptacle container for storing ashes and other smoking debris. An outer sleeve and a container are connected through an accordion section. The accordion section folds by pushing the container into the outer sleeve collapsing the open ashtray receptacle to the closed receptacle. With the container pulled out the open ashtray receptacle is easily assessable through an access hole in the sleeve. the packaging system is particularly useful for packaging cigarettes and can be used several time before emptying the closed receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Guadalupe C. Garcia
  • Patent number: 6135285
    Abstract: A container is provided for the storing of light sensitive exposed storage layer radiation screens. The container includes walls defining an interior volume, an aperture in one of the walls sized to allow entry of a storage layer radiation screen, a screen receiving surface adjacent to the aperture which is shaped to direct a dropped screen into and through the aperture into the interior volume, an interior dark section of the container within which light exterior to the container cannot reach, and an interior guiding section that is shaped to direct a screen dropped through the aperture to come to rest in the interior dark section. A method is provided for storing light sensitive exposed storage layer radiation screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Dentsply International
    Inventors: Louis Hlousek, Iain H. Hueton, John Lewis
  • Patent number: 6129206
    Abstract: A unitary, plastic clip of fasteners comprises a plurality of individual fasteners which are disposed in a substantially parallel, stacked, spaced relationship. Each fastener comprises an elongated flexible filament and a pair of transverse cross-bars which are disposed on opposite ends of the filament, the pair of transverse bars being disposed in perpendicular relation to the filament. The plurality of individual fasteners are maintained in its substantially parallel, stacked, spaced configuration by a plurality of thin, severable connector posts. One thin, severable connector post interconnects the approximate midpoint of the transverse bars of each pair of adjacent individual fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6126009
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a facial tissue dispensing system which is a portable, flexible pack for dispensing tissues. The portable, flexible pack container is thin yet contains large tissues for cleaning when paper towels or rags are not available. Each of the large tissues is reversibly pre-folded three times onto itself in the lateral direction, and is not pre-folded in the longitudinal direction. The tissues are folded such that they unfold as they are being dispensed through the tissue dispensing opening of the container. After being placed into the portable, flexible pack container, the container is itself folded in half or folded in thirds ensuring the tissue dispensing opening on the top wall of the container is contained inside the fold or folds of the container. In this manner, tissues are kept clean and dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin N. Shiffler, John L. Herzberg, Cynthia W. Henderson
  • Patent number: 6126004
    Abstract: A tool display box includes a main body having a number of spaced resilient retaining plates projecting outward therefrom. A holding space is defined between each two adjacent resilient retaining plates to hold a tool by two mutually facing walls of the two adjacent resilient retaining plates. Each resilient holding plate includes a distal end having a notch defined therein. A retaining member is secured to each resilient holding plate and includes a passage aligned with the notch. A locking member is extended through the notches of the resilient holding plates and the passages of the retaining members for preventing removal of the tool in the holding space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: David Ling
  • Patent number: 6123200
    Abstract: A structure for packaging a shock sensitive article within a container having a plurality of panels includes a flange having a bottom surface, and a peripheral portion including a pair of opposing sides, and the flange defines an article containing space. A first sidewall and a second sidewall are located along the opposing sides of the flange, the first and second sidewalls each include an inboard wall integral with the peripheral portion of the flange, an outboard wall having an article end and a container end depending from the bottom surface, and a bridge portion joining corresponding edges of the inboard wall and the outboard wall to form a cushion space. At least one column formation is formed integrally with the first sidewall and the second sidewall, each of the column formations has an inside wall and an outside wall, and extends from the inboard wall into the article containing space to be closer to the opposing column formation than the inboard walls are to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignees: Plastofilm Industries, Robert, Stephens, Van Amburg Packaging
    Inventors: Thomas B. Stephens, Fred Schindler