Patents by Inventor James H. Kurtz, Jr.

James H. Kurtz, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6761015
    Abstract: A high speed straw insertion machine has a device which feeds a straw, feeds a lifter and then engages the straw with the lifter. This assembly is transported to a mechanism which secures the lifter to the straw and then puts the straw and the float into a container. The container with the straw and the float is transported to an anchoring machine which engages the straw and the container to trap the straw and float entirely within the container. In one embodiment, the straw is positioned between a corner and a shoulder defined by the container and is retained in this position due to the flexibility of the straw. In another embodiment, the straw is positioned below a rib formed in the body of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: The KeyStraw Company, LLC
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, James H. Kurtz, Jr., Clifford Marritt
  • Patent number: 6193101
    Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container and is responsive to appropriate manipulation of the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top end of the container. In one embodiment, the straw is supported by a weighted member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. A buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice. Several alternative embodiments of the invention incorporating the weighted member are disclosed. In another embodiment, the straw is supported by a buoyant member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. The buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice as well as to align the straw with the orifice due to the manipulation of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: The PopStraw Company, LLC
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, Doug Brewer, Dave Brown, James H. Kurtz, Jr., Jon Taylor, Paul Doczy
  • Patent number: 6056149
    Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container and is responsive to appropriate manipulation of the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top end of the container. In one embodiment, the straw is supported by a weighted member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. A buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice. Several alternative embodiments of the invention incorporating the weighted member are disclosed. In another embodiment, the straw is supported by a buoyant member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. The buoyant member is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice as well as to align the straw with the orifice due to the manipulation of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: The PopStraw Company, LLC
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, Doug Brewer, Dave Brown, James H. Kurtz, Jr., Jon Taylor, Paul Doczy
  • Patent number: 5547103
    Abstract: A beverage container having a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container and is responsive to appropriate manipulation of the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top end of the container. The straw is supported by a weighted member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. A float is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice. Several alternative embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: The PopStraw Company, LLC
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, James H. Kurtz, Jr., Ross Whitehead, David A. Szasz
  • Patent number: 5244112
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for a container. The container includes a tubular body having a closed end, an open end and a longitudinal axis. A lid is secured to the open end and having an orifice. A closure tab is pivotally connected to the lid and temporarily closes the orifice. An actuating member is pivotally secured to the lid and is being manually actuated for moving the closure tab into the interior of the body to open the orifice in the lid. The device includes a conduit disposed within the body. A means is disposed within the body and adapted to engage the body for supporting the conduit substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Another means forms a float for elevating the conduit through the orifice in the lid when liquid is present within the body and the tab is deflected into the interior of the body to open the orifice. The device may include means for rotating the conduit to align the conduit with the orifice of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: MK Industries
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, James H. Kurtz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5080247
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for a container. The container includes a tubular body having a closed end, an open end and a longitudinal axis. A lid is secured to the open end and having an orifice. A closure tab is pivotally connected to the lid and temporarily closes the orifice. An actuating member is pivotally secured to the lid and is being manually actuated for moving the closure tab into the interior of the body to open the orifice in the lid. The device includes a conduit disposed within the body. A means is disposed within the body and adapted to engage the body for supporting the conduit substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Another means forms a float for elevating the conduit through the orifice in the lid when liquid is present within the body and the tab is deflected into the interior of the body to open the orifice. The device may include means for rotating the conduit to align the conduit with the orifice of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: MK Industries
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, James H. Kurtz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4930652
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for a container. The container includes a tubular body having a closed end, an open end and a longitudinal axis. A lid is secured to the open end and having an orifice. A closure tab is pivotally connected to the lid and temporarily closes the orifice. An actuating member is pivotally secured to the lid and is being manually actuated for moving the closure tab into the interior of the body to open the orifice in the lid. The device includes a conduit disposed within the body. A means is disposed within the body and adapted to engage the body for supporting the conduit substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Another means forms a float for elevating the conduit through the orifice in the lid when liquid is present within the body and the tab is deflected into the interior of the body to open the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: MK Industries
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, James H. Kurtz, Jr.