Patents Examined by Stephen Marcus
  • Patent number: 5163574
    Abstract: A pedal trash receptacle intended for use in public places including restaurants, which allows two-handed handling of food trays. The trash receptacle utilizes a push-pull, or Bowden type cable connected between a foot pedal and a pivotally mounted door to cause opening of the door by actuation of the foot pedal. The trash receptacle comprises an upper portion which is hinged to a lower main portion so that the upper portion can be flipped open to permit insertion and removal of trash bags. When the top is closed the trash receptacle permits trash to be deposited through a door mounted and hinged in the upper portion of the trash receptacle. Stepping on the foot pedal causes the door to open inwardly permitting trash to be deposited inside the receptacle. When the foot pedal is released the door is closed by the action of springs. The trash receptacle also permits trash to be deposited by pushing the door open by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: Folarin O. Sosan
  • Patent number: 5163612
    Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a mailer type business form in a continuous manner so that an easy opening tear strip is provided in both the outgoing and return envelopes. This allows not only the addressee of the outgoing envelope to readily remove its contents, but allows the addressor of the outgoing envelope--when the return envelope is received thereby--to readily retrieve the contents of the return envelope. This substantially enhances the utility of the ultimate mailer product. Desirably, the tear strips are formed by a slit and perforation in the bottom sheet of each of the outgoing and return envelopes, and within the mailer the tear strips are parallel to each other. An insert is also typically provided between the top sheet of the outgoing envelope and the top sheet of the return envelope, and is pasted to outgoing envelope at the left and right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Moore Business Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Ashby
  • Patent number: 5163576
    Abstract: A thermoplastic generally cylindrical container having a peripheral gasket in an outwardly-facing channel near the rim; a plurality of outwardly flared cam surfaces below the channel for stretching an inwardly facing terminus of the skirt of the lid to pass over the gasket as the lid is placed on the container to engage the underside of a ledge at the lower end of the cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: Herbert W. Galer
  • Patent number: 5163578
    Abstract: A device for use in transporting and storing materials. The device includes a housing which is defined by a bottom panel and four generally planar panels extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel. A generally rectangular compartment is defined within those four panels which extend perpendicular to the bottom panel. Upper edges of two opposite of the panels perpendicular to the bottom panel are convexly arcuate and parallel to one another. The upper edges of the other two panels are also convex and parallel to one another. The device further includes a generally planar closure panel including a lower surface which carries a compressible seal. The seal is of a size at least as great as an area defined by the upper edges of the four panels which are perpendicular to the bottom panel of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Trillium Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Eitreim, Dennis N. Harvey
  • Patent number: 5161734
    Abstract: A sift-resistant, reclosable carton for granular or powdered materials. The carton is a six-sided enclosure including opposed top and bottom walls, opposing front and back walls, and opposing end walls. Each end wall is comprised of an inner layer having a top edge abutting the top wall and an outer layer. The outer layer has a horizontal tear strip thereacross. The front wall has an inner layer having a top edge abutting the top wall and an outer layer. The outer layer has a horizontal tear strip thereacross which is integral with the tear strips of the end walls, forming one continuous tear strip. A glue flap is integrally attached to the top edge of the inner layer of the front wall along substantially its full length. The glue flap has a distal attachment portion and a proximal locking portion. The two portions are joined along a full length line of weakness. The distal attachment portion is secured to the inner surface of the outer layer of the front wall above the tear strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble
    Inventors: Dennis J. Ruehl, Charles L. Gunn, James L. Stone
  • Patent number: 5161735
    Abstract: A self-contained insert mailer includes at least two similarly sized and interconnected individual plies which are arranged in overlying relationship to form an outgoing mailer containing an outgoing envelope, one or more insert plies and, in some instances, a reply means. The mailer is folded along one or more outgoing envelope fold lines so that the front ply adhesively engages the back ply to define an outgoing envelope containing the insert plies therebetween. Where the mailer is folded along the outgoing envelope fold lines, the outgoing envelope has a height to length ratio which is between 1:1.3 and 1:2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventor: Bruce Bendel
  • Patent number: 5161853
    Abstract: A flexible bulk container including a bag portion comprised of a top wall, an encircling side panel and a bottom wall. The top wall has a filling spout therethrough for access to the bag interior. The flexible bag is cube-shaped having four corners. At each corner a loop member extends above the top wall. The loop member is comprised of a straight section and a loop section. The straight section extending below the top wall is sewn to the side wall adjacent to each corner. Pockets are similarly sewn to an area adjacent each corner and cover the straight portion of the loop members. Semi-rigid tubular members with open ends enclose the straight portion of the loop members and extend downward into the pockets and upward above the top wall. The loop portions of the loop members extend above the top open end of the tubular members. A continuous elongated hoop passes freely through each loop and is the means for a lifting mechanism to engage the flexible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventor: Walter J. Polett
  • Patent number: 5161895
    Abstract: A gift sack with a drawstring or the like member and method for making the same are disclosed. The method includes providing a sheet material of a predetermined dimension and including a heat-sealable resin-coating on one side thereof. The sheet material is spread flat on a support surface with the resin-coating facing upwardly and a heat-treatable drawstring member of a predetermined length is positioned thereon generally parallel to and along an edge portion thereof. The edge portion is folded over the drawstring about a fold line extending generally parallel to the drawstring. The sheet material portions lying adjacent the sides of the drawstring are sealed together simultaneously, without bonding the drawstring to the sheet material, by applying heat across and over the drawstring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventor: Marion P. Myers
  • Patent number: 5161711
    Abstract: A container closure comprising a rigid lid and a separably formed flexibly resilient seal mounted thereto. The lid includes a top panel with a depending annular flange. The seal includes a solid central panel with an upwardly directed integral flange peripherally thereabout and receiving the lid flange. The seal flange mounts opposed pivot points engageable with the upper edge of a container and defining a pivot axis. A positioning rib extends peripherally about the seal flange between the pivot points for seated engagement on the upper edge of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Augusto A. Picozza, Masao Kato, Tsuyoshi Minami
  • Patent number: 5160065
    Abstract: A protective structure for a shut-off valve of a transportable toxic gas container having a metallic hood unlockably mounted on the container around the shut-off valve, comprises a cover made of a shock absorbent material, which is unlockably mounted, typically by a hoop, on the hood and entirely closing the latter. The cover includes an inner recess substantially following the outlines of the hood and an end area resting on the area of the container at the base of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Libes, Georges Laureau
  • Patent number: 5160196
    Abstract: A large plastic lawn or trash bag is provided including a tubular hem extending about its open end. An access opening is formed at one point about the hem opening thereinto and a plurality of pairs of registered openings are formed through the bag and the material defining the free marginal edge of the hem along the path the free marginal portion of the hem is secured to the bag. An elongated stiff but flexive reinforcing strip is provided of a length somewhat greater than the length of the periphery of the open end of the bag and the opposite ends of the strip are provided with coacting structure by which the opposite ends may be secured together in adjusted overlapped relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Joseph Curtis
  • Patent number: 5160064
    Abstract: A fuel containment cover assembly comprising a fiberglass skirt with cast iron inserts molded into an integral unit. The inserts are located on the outer perimeter of the skirt and determine the flow of water from the cover to the ground. A pre-molded gasket extends about the interior perimeter of the cover. The gasket seats on the skirt assembly and seals the fuel containment device from the atmosphere. The cover is bolted to the fiberglass skirt and forms a drainage channel between the cover and the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: ERW, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo J. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 5160060
    Abstract: A refuse container has a lid and a pair of handles, and each handle is mounted to pivot between a closed position for holding the lid on the container and an open position for removing the lid from the container. Each handle has two legs spaced apart from each other, and a locking bar is coupled between the two legs and permitted to slide along the legs between a locked position for locking the handle in the closed position to prevent access into the container, and an unlocked position for opening the handle to remove the lid. The locking bar is received within a U-shaped clamp in the locked position to retain the locking bar in the locked position. In another embodiment, the locking bar is received within a recess for retaining the locking bar in the locked position. A U-shaped handle is coupled to the locking bar to move the locking bar between the locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Robert Garofalo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5160061
    Abstract: A container disclosed herein comprises a tubular sidewall defining a peripherally enclosed space, the sidewall having an annular end portion defining an open end of the space. The end portion is provided with through openings spaced circumferentially about the open end. A closure of synthetic resin comprises a U-shaped annular connecting ring having opposed, facing walls and a turned connecting wall extending therebetween to define an annular channel. The channel receives the sidewall end portion, one of the walls including a plurality of blocks of synthetic resin integrally formed therewith and spaced circumferentially about the one wall facing the other wall and of a size corresponding to a size of the sidewall through openings to be received therein. The sidewall is secured to the closure by vibrationally welding the connecting portion other wall to the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Michael D. Stolzman
  • Patent number: 5160063
    Abstract: A receptacle holds a wide range of refuse bags in an open state and also functions as a footstool. The receptacle has an inner container that receives the bag. An upper part of the bag is folded over a resilient upper shoulder of the inner container. An outer container receives the inner container through an open bottom and has an upper opening to permit trash to be deposited into the bag. An internal portion of the outer container has an inclined camming surface and a vertical cylindrical surface that deflect and retain the shoulder to grip the bag thereby maintaining the bag in an open state. A cap fits over the opening of the outer container and provides a flat surface for standing. The cap and sidewall are structured to withstand an axial load of at least 300 pounds. A lower flange on the inner container seats against a horizontal floor surface and also seats the outer container contemporaneously with the gripping of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Daryl K. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5160687
    Abstract: A screw cap of thermoplastic material, particularly intended for the closure of glass containers used in the food industry, is provided on the outer surface of its horizontal end wall (1) with a thin covering layer (13) of a composite laminated material which is adapted to form a barrier against the passage of gases through the wall. This composite, laminated material is constituted by a disc (13a) incorporated in the outer face of the horizontal end wall (1) of the cap during the injection moulding of the cap. The disc (13a) is permanently bonded to the horizontal end wall (1) of the cap and to a downwardly-curved wall (10) connecting the peripheral edge of the horizontal end wall (1) to a rounded annular shoulder (11) provided at the top of the cylindrical skirt (2) of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Alplast SpA
    Inventor: Mario Margaria
  • Patent number: 5158196
    Abstract: A blanking plug is used for sealing provisionally connection openings (3) of non-installed liquid-operated units, in particular of oil-hydraulic systems (1) for motor vehicles. A section (12) of the blanking plug (10) is inserted into, and fills up, the connection opening (3). The section (12) is provided with a hollow space communicating with a closed portion of the connection opening (3). The hollow space is filled with a material tending to absorb the respective liquid, for example a tampon (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Berger & Partner GmbH
    Inventor: Friedhelm Burger
  • Patent number: 5158194
    Abstract: A child-resistant, two-piece closure is formed with a resilient wedge in the outer cap member which can be pressed into interlocking relationship with an upstanding locking lug element of the inner cap member to facilitate rotational movement in the closure loosening direction by a healthy adult. An aperture is provided in the outer cap member so that a pencil may be radially inserted therein and into contact with the upstanding locking lug element so as to interlockingly couple the outer cap member and inner cap member for rotational movement in the closure loosening direction with the pencil by an elderly or handicapped individual. The child-resistant closure serves as a duel function device by allowing push-in and turn closure removal by healthy adults and easy removal with an inserted pencil or the like by elderly or handicapped adults while still being resistant to removal by young children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Glaxo Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Sirgo, Robert M. Wygant, Charles F. Woodward, Paul V. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 5158369
    Abstract: A stabilized flexible container for receiving flowable materials includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a perimeter wall formed from four double layered side walls seamed together along adjacent side edges. The exterior layer of the double layered side walls is greater in length than the interior layer and is folded inwardly upon itself and stitched along the side edges to form a pocket in a space between the interior and exterior layers of the double layered side wall with the side edges of the exterior layer in the pocket region being free from the seam connecting the adjacent side walls. The interior layers of the side walls are seamed together in the pocket region and are seamed along their bottom edges to the perimeter of the bottom wall. Rigid panels are inserted into the space between the interior and exterior layers of the side walls and are secured in the pocket to prevent the rigid panels from slipping out of the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: B.A.G. Corporation
    Inventor: Norwin C. Derby
  • Patent number: 5158195
    Abstract: In combination, a container and a linerless cap and a method of forming the cap. In the method the cap is molded from plastic and includes a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending substantially annular wall having an upper end integral with and depending from the top wall and a lower free end. Thereafter the free end is engaged by a curling tool to progressively turn the free end away from the internal wall to curve the free end into a curvilinear compressible and resilient free end adapted to be engaged for sealing. The engageable free end of the seal can have a coil, O, U, J or quarter round cross sectional shape and can be a rim, plug or corner seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson