Patents Examined by Stephen Cronin
  • Patent number: 5758751
    Abstract: A suitcase which is constructed of individual panels joined to each other by hinge mechanisms. The hinge mechanisms allow the panels to selectively form right angles so that the panels form a suitcase shell in the shape of a rectangular prism having a storage space, or selectively allow the panels to be folded against each other so that the suitcase may be stored flat. The suitcase has wheel assemblies, and straps which help hold the suitcase together, and hold the wheel assemblies against the suitcase shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Shulamit Charles
  • Patent number: 5758793
    Abstract: The invention provides a glue-on closure for a composite can or the like that affords an original hermetic seal. A tamper-evident tear band allows the closure to be conveniently opened. Separate end wall and sidewall parts of the closure are configured to provide reclosability with a surface-to-surface contact plug fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Weatherchem Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Forsyth, Matthew A. Dudas, Larry J. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5755311
    Abstract: The invention relates to hard sided luggage shells and other containers manufactured using vacuum forming or pressure forming of thermoplastics. Shells and containers with integrally molded frames are disclosed. The differential pressure formed shell containers have framed openings, but without the need to attach a separate frame element to the molded shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Elliot Younessian, Joseph Kapushion, Robert L. Bromley
  • Patent number: 5755348
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has at least one first helical thread on an upper neck stretch portion, and a first tamper-evident structure having a first locking member. The closure has an upper skirt having at least one second helical thread mating with the first helical thread of the neck. The closure includes a second tamper-evident structure having a second locking member shaped and positioned to engage the first locking member when the closure is applied to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5755346
    Abstract: A tamper indicating closure for use with an associated container includes a closure cap having a circular top wall portion, and a depending annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The skirt portion has an internal thread formed therein adapted to threadedly engage a thread formed on an outer surface of the container. The container includes a an annular interference ring located axially under the thread formation. The closure includes a separable, annular tamper indicating band depending from the skirt portion. The band is detachably connected to the skirt portion by a plurality of circumferentially spaced, frangible bridge-like connectors extending between the skirt portion and the band. The band includes first and second axially spaced apart, inwardly extending camming projections extending inwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 5749484
    Abstract: A child-resistant, tamper-evident closure for a container having an externally threaded neck finish includes a combination of inner and outer caps. The inner cap includes a tamper-evident band which is connected to the inner cap by frangible elements. The inner cap includes folded ratchet-like tabs which are locked in position behind an annular bead. The tabs are arranged so as to engage an annular lip on the neck finish. The outer cap snaps over the inner cap and includes a series of ratchet-like lugs which are directed toward the inner cap. The top surface of the inner cap includes a series of cooperating ratchet-like lugs. So long as a downward force is not exerted on the outer cap, the child-resistant arrangement permits the outer cap to turn relative to the inner cap in a counterclockwise direction. However, when a sufficient downward force is applied, the lugs of the outer cap are drawn into abutment with the cooperating lugs of the inner cap and the outer cap is used to remove the inner cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventor: Stanley D. Trout
  • Patent number: 5746340
    Abstract: An electrical enclosure lid composed of several elongated members nested in such a way that a tortuous air channel is created between each member. The air channel allows heat generated by internal electrical components, such as large power transformers, to pass out of the lid to facilitate convection cooling of the enclosure. Due to the labyrinthine air channel, flames potentially generated inside the enclosure are hindered from passing outside the enclosure. Drainage holes are included on the sides of the lid to allow water to pass over the lid without entering the enclosure. The design is optimized for harsh environments such as a mining operation where large amounts of power are needed in close proximity to workers. The nesting structure provides strong structural support to protect the enclosure in case of a rock fall or a cave-in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Line Power Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Kearfott, Garry F. Raines
  • Patent number: 5746344
    Abstract: A tank connector assembly including a metal spud member having an internally threaded portion and a cylindrical wall portion. An insert member of polymer material having a cylindrical wall portion. The insert member is mounted inside the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member. A bonding member of polymer material fits the cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member positioned between the external surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the insert member and the internal surface of the cylindrical wall portion of the spud member. The cylindrical wall portion of said bonding member being securely bonded to both the insert member and the spud member. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer material of the bonding member is malcated olefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: State Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney R. Syler, Rolf E. Faber, D. Kent Lindahl
  • Patent number: 5746337
    Abstract: A container or bottle with a cap for resealing where the seal is produced between the upper lip and, if needed, the lateral lip of the container while the interior closing surface of the cap is provided with a sealing mass which can be deformed within limits and which, after opening and resealing of the container with the cap can be deformed to allow venting from the interior of the container by the provision of a depression formed on the lip of the container and into which the sealing mass will extend to effect sealing but which, after opening, and repositioning of the cap relative to the container, will affect only partial sealing of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: HVB Innova AG
    Inventor: Henri Haist
  • Patent number: 5743420
    Abstract: There is proposed a plastic closure which serves to close a container (3) with a mouth region (5). The closure (1) has a lid (7) allocated to the container mouth (5) and an annular side wall (9) connected with this. On the inner surface (15) of the side wall (9) there are provided fastening means (16) which coact with corresponding fastening means (14) on the outer surface (11) of the container (3) and are constructed, for example, as screw threads. The closure has, finally, also a sealing means. It is distinguished in that the sealing means (11) has a circumferential pivotable sealing lip (9) projecting from a support (15), which lip coacts with a side wall (25) surrounding the container mouth (21) of the container (19), which in the closing of the container is swung out of a rest position into a sealing position and which in its sealing position is clamped between support and side wall of the container so that it is subjected to a compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Loffler, Hans-Joachim Preuss
  • Patent number: 5743427
    Abstract: A container lid has a depending insert having a thickness sufficient to have a groove formed in its peripheral edge, and a beverage container has an annular, radially inwardly extending protrusion formed in it that snaps into the groove when the insert is inserted into the container. The connection is so strong that the lid will not separate from the container even when the cup is filled with a beverage or food and inverted. The lid includes a peripherally positioned handle that enables facile removal of the lid, and the interconnection between the lid and the container includes a double seal that inhibits the risk of spillage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Donald T. Monus
  • Patent number: 5743422
    Abstract: A collapsible, fiber, bulk container which is made-up of a plurality of sidewalls joined by connectors to form a tubular body. The body is closed off by top and bottom members telescopically engaging said body. The bottom may be reinforced by a strut member to insure that the bottom does not warp and collapse. A reinforcing strap is also secured around the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Greif Bros. Corporation
    Inventor: James Albert Hale
  • Patent number: 5743424
    Abstract: A sealable container for accommodating semiconductor wafers, which includes a hollow main body having an opening for receiving or removing the semiconductor wafers, a lid member for plugging the opening, a lock for locking and releasing the lid member in the opening of said main body, and a pressure-equalizing mechanism for allowing an interior portion of the main body to be communicable with an exterior portion thereof in cooperation with the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanao Murata, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Teruya Morita
  • Patent number: 5743426
    Abstract: A plastic reusable packing and shipping container having an inside lid pocket for computer readable instructions. Toothed lid corners engaged toothed container body corners to form a tight seal. The lid may be hinged to the container's body and the interfacing edges and teeth covered by an adhesive sealing tape. Once, the original container is not longer usable, it can be melted down and recycled into a different sized, shaped, or both, container for a variety of different uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: James William Mosley
  • Patent number: 5740932
    Abstract: A security closure for bottles and the like, which makes unauthorized opening clearly evident, comprises a pourer body, a cylindrical sleeve having an inner rim for retaining the pourer body, a cap screwed onto the pourer body, and a security band constituted by a ring which is divided into two structurally-independent, identical portions, and which is fixed to the cap by means of a weakened line, external teeth being formed on the cylindrical sleeve and opposing internal teeth being formed on the ring for engaging the teeth when the cap is first unscrewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Guala Patents B.V.
    Inventor: Piero Battegazzore
  • Patent number: 5740940
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a portable beverage container holder and cover. More specifically, the invention is a floatable, insulated, beverage container holder, having an external tubular foam shell, and a two-piece device, comprising a dome-shaped cover portion and an annular collar portion. Hinged means, comprising of a rod connected to two ear shaped upwardly extended projections, is integrally formed with the annular collar, enabling the dome-shape cover to pivot between a forwardly closing position and a backwardly open position. The collar includes a recess in the rear of the hinge for receiving a locking projection correspondingly disposed at the back of the dome shaped cover. A frictional engagement between these corresponding parts retains the cover in an upright locked position, when it is pivoted backward. Similarly, the cover is adapted to snap into a watertight seal when it pivots forwardly into a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Dave Weiss
  • Patent number: 5738237
    Abstract: An easy open can end having an anti-missiling score integrally formed thereon, a method of further forming a can end to incorporate the anti-missiling score, and tooling for accomplishing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Carl McEldowney
  • Patent number: 5735427
    Abstract: An open top container having a drum and a lid wherein the lid engages the drum for sealing the contents thereof using clamps which secure the lid and drum into an engaged relationship. The lid and drum utilize a cammed engagement member so that as the clamps are activated the cammed surface provides a tightening of the lid to the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Russell-Stanley Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Hunter, Charles F. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5735425
    Abstract: An improved reusable beer keg plug replaces the conventional wooden bung and is formed of an elastomeric material as a tapered, expandable plug suited to being snugly fitted within a conventional beer keg sidewall tapered hole and thereafter expanded by an adjustable tightening device forming part of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Leigh P. Beadle
  • Patent number: 5735418
    Abstract: A closing device for containers is made of plastic with a tiltable lid linked to a lid support to be attached to the lid or to the container where it can be moved via a hinged connection from a closed position to an open position. The closing device also has a spring on one side of the lid, and a lid support or the container on the other side. The spring is arranged with respect to the tilting axis of the lid which is defined by the hinged connection such that the lid is displaced from the closed position to the open position after having passed a dead center position, due to the pre-stress of the spring. The lid and the lid support or container each have at least one integrally linked abutment. The abutments come into contact with each other in the open position of the lid as a result of being urged into the contact position by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Erb, Stephan Sattler, Albert Wohland