Patents Examined by Niki M. Kopsidas
  • Patent number: 5579817
    Abstract: A wallet protector, for use with a wallet, may include first and second rectangular strips of leather, the first strip having a channel and with a slide actuator extending outwardly through the channel. A slide strip, of plastic or metal, is sandwiched between the leather strips and is movable by the actuator between a first position completely within the area of the strips, to a second position extending at least an inch outwardly. The wallet protector may be stitched or otherwise attached to an end edge of a wallet body, or the wallet body itself may take the place of the second leather strip. Reinforcing stop strips of leather may be stitched to the first leather strip to provide the ends of travel of the slide actuator in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Stanley C. Mader
  • Patent number: 5575397
    Abstract: A double-walled tank assembly having a passageway from an inner tank to an outer tank, the passageway having an outer opening, and a cover removably mounted over the outer opening of the passageway to seal the passageway. The cover has a pressure relief vent and a plate suspended from the cover, within the passageway, below the pressure relief vent, and above the opening in the inner tank. In the event of liquid surging within the tank, the plate prevents the liquid from impinging against the pressure relief vent. In addition, in order to prevent tampering with the pressure relief vent, the cover has an enclosure around the pressure relief vent to prevent tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Donald A. Wood
  • Patent number: 5573141
    Abstract: A mug consists of an outer body made of plastics and an inner body made of a metal. The outer body has a sloped circumferential wall defining a hollow cavity. A bottom plate is fixed with a bottom end of the outer body, having a plurality of seats spaced apart on an upper surface for supporting the bottom of the inner body. An anti-leak gasket engages with an annular groove provided around an upper opening of the inner body, which has its upper edge closely contacting with an annular groove of the outer body after placed in the outer body supported by the seats on the bottom plate securely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Wen-Yen Chen
  • Patent number: 5562228
    Abstract: A collapsible cooler apparatus includes a floor assembly which includes a quantity of a heat transfer material in a sealed floor module. A plurality of foldable wall assemblies are provided which include a lower wall subassembly, an upper wall subassembly, and an interior hinge connecting the lower wall subassembly to the upper wall subassembly. The lower wall subassemblies include respective quantities of a heat transfer material in respective sealed lower wall modules. The upper wall subassemblies include respective quantities of a heat transfer material in respective upper wall modules. A plurality of peripheral hinges are connected between the floor module and the lower wall subassemblies for securing the lower wall subassemblies to the floor assembly. Flexible corner panels are connected between adjacent foldable wall assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Inventor: John C. Ericson
  • Patent number: 5551591
    Abstract: A drainage container including a receptacle having an upwardly opening interior chamber and a support platform positioned in closely spaced relation above the chamber bottom. An upwardly projecting handle panel is fixed to the platform and extends upwardly beyond the chamber mouth. The handle panel and support platform are releasably retained within the chamber by a rim member releasably mounted to the receptacle about the mouth and projecting inwardly thereof to form an abutment engaged downwardly against opposed shoulders on the handle panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas M. Laib
  • Patent number: 5542565
    Abstract: A soup plate comprised of a plate having an open circular top end, a closed circular lower end, and an intermediate side wall therebetween. The intermediate side wall slopes inwardly from the open circular top towards the closed circular lower end. The closed circular lower end slopes slightly downwardly towards a front portion thereof. The front portion of the closed circular lower end has an oval reservoir formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Miguel A. Hidalgo-Lopez
  • Patent number: 5540351
    Abstract: A sanitary animal-waste container suitable for installation in public places. The container has a cover and an interiorly-mounted roll of detachable plastic waste bags accessible through a cut-out in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Cecilia N. Luescher
  • Patent number: 5538156
    Abstract: A flat horizontal disc has a pin hole therein and a peripheral socket. A vertical hollow spout extends above the disc and is integral therewith. The spout has rectangularly shaped open upper and lower ends and tapers downwardly and outwardly toward the disc. The open lower end is coincident with an opening in the disc which communicates with the socket. The spout as viewed in a horizontal plane has two opposite longitudinal sides, one side having a recess which extends downwardly from the top of the spout to a step disposed above the disc. The step has an upper horizontal surface and extends generally vertically downward to the disc. A flat horizontal member having at least one opening therein is disposed within the peripheral interior of the spout. The member is spaced vertically downward below the horizontal surface and extends between the horizontal surface and the peripheral interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Mary-Elizabeth Proshan
  • Patent number: 5538157
    Abstract: A flat horizontal disc has a pin hole therein and a peripheral socket. A vertical hollow spout extends above the disc and is integral therewith. The spout has rectangularly shaped open upper and lower ends and tapers downwardly and and outwardly toward the disc. The open lower end is coincident with an opening in the disc which communicates with the socket. A longitudinal portion of the spout is provided with a recess which extends downwardly from the top of the spout to a step disposed above the disc. The step has an upper horizontal surface and extends generally vertically downward to the disc. The spout has a horizontal opening in the peripheral interior of the spout. The opening is spaced vertically downward below the horizontal surface and extends between the horizontal surface and the peripheral interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Mary-Elizabeth Proshan
  • Patent number: 5535914
    Abstract: A container for receiving and supporting a grocery bag. The inventive device includes a container having engaging assemblies extending from laterally opposed sides thereof for engaging the handle loops of a grocery bag. A lid positionable across an open upper end of the container has laterally opposed cut-outs permitting projection of the engaging assemblies of the container through the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventors: Frank Badalamenti, Patricia Badalamenti
  • Patent number: 5485920
    Abstract: A Stackable Space Saving Container is disclosed which can be stored or transported in square cases with virtually no wasted space. This container is substantially rectangular having a diagonally slanting upper surface so as to form a rectangular cube when joined with another Stackable Space Saving Container of like size. The container is supplied with a handle and neck as well as a receptacle for each when a pair of Stackable Space Saving Containers are joined. A further embodiment uses a vent tube along the pouring edge of the container so as to allow for quick splash free pours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Fritz