Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Melk

Thomas J. Melk 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: 6062434
    Abstract: An insulated container assembly which includes an insulated jacket and a container liner retained in the jacket. The container liner is formed having a body defining a mouth at an upper end thereof. A cap is retained on the container liner over the mouth. The insulated jacket has at least one wall which defines a cavity therein for receiving the container liner. A hood portion of the insulated jacket is attached to and extends from a portion of the wall. A closure structure is provided on the hood and the wall. The container liner is generally rigid and the insulated jacket is a generally flexible construction. The container liner can be loaded from the top into the cavity of the insulated jacket. The hood is extended over the cap with the cap extending through a cap opening in the hood defined by a collar thereof. The closure structure is operated to secure the hood to the wall of the insulated jacket and retain the container liner in the cavity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: 5944224
    Abstract: A dispensing lid assembly for use with a container assembly and a container assembly including the lid assembly. The lid assembly can be attached to a container liner of the container assembly. The lid assembly includes a spigot housing through which liquids are dispensed. The spigot housing is configured with a grip portion which facilitates tipping of the container assembly with the lid assembly attached thereto. A dispensing conduit is provided in the lid assembly which communicates with a cavity in the container liner. A spring loaded valve assembly is retained in the spigot housing to controllably dispense liquids from the container liner through the dispensing conduit. A check valve assembly is included in the lid assembly. The check valve assembly provides controlled introduction of air into the container to equalize the pressure in the cavity during dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Bert Hodge, John W. Lai, Rodney Hal Monson, Peter C. Simpson, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: 5915580
    Abstract: Disclosed is a container covering. The covering has an opening for receiving the container, and includes a body, a base and a support member attached to the base and the body. The support member promotes maintaining the covering in an upright position when the covering is so positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: 5890628
    Abstract: A dispensing lid assembly which includes a rotatable spout for use with a container defining a container cavity. The container may be the type having deflectable sidewalls. The rotatable spout includes an arcuate ball portion and a nozzle portion. The arcuate rotator portion is retained on a base of the lid assembly to allow rotation thereof to align a through hole in the spout with a dispensing hole in the base. The arcuate rotator portion is configured to reduce the wear on a sealing gasket. A check valve assembly is attached to the base of the dispensing lid assembly. The check valve assembly includes a diaphragm which is pre-loaded within a valve chamber to provide a desired sealing effect between the diaphragm and the base portion. The check valve assembly is configured to pre-load forces on the diaphragm such that a desired inhaling force will unseat the diaphragm from the corresponding portion of the base to draw air therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter C. Simpson, John W. Lai, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: 5848734
    Abstract: An insulated container assembly which includes an insulated jacket and a container liner retained in the jacket. The container liner is formed having a body defining a mouth at an upper end thereof. A cap is retained on the container liner over the mouth. The insulated jacket has at least one wall which defines a cavity therein for receiving the container liner. A hood portion of the insulated jacket is attached to and extends from a portion of the wall. A closure structure is provided on the hood and the wall. The container liner is generally rigid and the insulated jacket is a generally flexible construction. The container liner can be loaded from the top into the cavity of the insulated jacket. The hood is extended over the cap with the cap extending through a cap opening in the hood defined by a collar thereof. The closure structure is operated to secure the hood to the wall of the insulted jacket and retain the container liner in the cavity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D383360
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D385106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D387560
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D387626
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D391120
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D391121
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D393569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: John W. Lai, Peter C. Simpson, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D393572
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D394552
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D396380
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: John W. Lai, Andrew Bert Hodge, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D398191
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D409090
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: John W. Lai, Peter C. Simpson, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D409376
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Golenz, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D411352
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Golenz, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D415687
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: John W. Lai, Peter Simpson, Thomas J. Melk