Finger Opening Patents (Class 206/815)
  • Patent number: 6357592
    Abstract: An organizer to receive bank statements and bank checks is disclosed. A bottom is provided and includes a plurality of pockets adapted to receive bank checks. A top portion includes a pocket to receive bank statements. The top portion fits over the bottom portion in a closed position. The pockets have a removable cover to retain the checks and allow the user to view the checks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Gerald D. Coia
  • Patent number: 6336552
    Abstract: A stackable insert for use in organizing the family members in a family of top opening military type ammunition boxes wherein each family member has the same base dimensions but a different height than other members in the family of boxes. The insert includes a rectangular shaped open top container and a flat lid that is hinged to one side wall of the container and secured at closure by a positive snap over latching mechanism. A pair of finger holes, or other lifting means, are provided in the lid which provides for easy lifting of the insert. A panel type separator divides the container into compartments. The insert is dimensioned so that a plurality of inserts can be stacked in each member sized ammunition box to maximize the usable space within each size box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: RPM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter John Meier
  • Patent number: 6299919
    Abstract: A packaging container, which can be made of plastic, for sliced foodstuffs, in particular cheese slices, with a bottom tray and a cover foil. The foodstuffs are introduced into the bottom tray of the packaging container. The bottom tray is then sealed by the cover foil, and then welded or adhesively bonded or otherwise attached to the bottom tray or to a border around the latter. The invention solves the problem that the consumer faces when foodstuffs are not easily removed from the packaging container. The bottom tray of this invention has recessed grips which allows easy removal of foodstuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Hochland Reich, Summer & Co.
    Inventors: Jürgen Knaus, Hans Wurm
  • Patent number: 6279956
    Abstract: A savings book for encouraging the saving of money by your children having a plurality of pages having slots to hold coins on both sides of the pages is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Shari Kaufman
  • Patent number: 6270003
    Abstract: A cup-shaped cake container formed by bending a paper sheet. The container has a bottom and a sidewall. Step portions are formed in the sidewall. The step portions act against the restoring force of the material. A curved transitional wall is formed between the bottom and the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Hirano Shiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiro Hirano
  • Patent number: 6260701
    Abstract: A drill case (10) includes a case box (20) having a longitudinally elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape closeable at one transverse end thereof by a lid (23). The case includes a slidably removable longitudinally elongated drill stand base (50) having in the upper surface thereof a plurality of longitudinally disposed, laterally spaced apart grooves (51) for receiving rectangular block-shaped drill stands (60) having longitudinally spaced apart vertical bores (61) for receiving drill bits (1). Stand base (50) has protruding outwardly from opposite lateral sides thereof a pair of parallel longitudinally disposed ribs (52) which are slidably receivable in a pair of upper or lower grooves (27) and (28) formed in the inner side walls of box (20), depending on whether short or long shank drill bits are contained in stands (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Union Tool Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Katayama, Yoshiharu Shinbo
  • Patent number: 6170660
    Abstract: A video cassette storage container formed as a one-piece member of polypropylene where the container has a smooth outer contour and configured sidewalls and hinge area to provide an extremely aesthetically pleasing and efficient storage container. The container further has square feet on one end thereof for endwise standing of the video storage container. The container also has a recessed front for easy opening where the recessed front is also arcuate or scalloped so as to extend inward into the container to assist in holding and centering video cassette tapes. The container also has ribs on the inner surface thereof which automatically centers the video cassette and its associated literature into the storage container during manual insertion of a cassette therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: James K. Sankey, Ronald M. Marsilio, James T. Weisburn, Ronald K. Burdett, Christopher G. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 6164447
    Abstract: A portable container to hold saw blades and accessories for a table saw has a cover and a base and an integrally formed handle at one end. The handle includes a snap latch and a push-to-release button assembly to hold the container in a closed position and that can be depressed to open the container. The assembly is positioned on the outer edge of the handle. The container also includes a raised position on the cover in which a flat wrench can be stored. Other tools are stored within the container by retaining tabs forms on the inner side of the cover. A post is extends for the inner side of the base to hold the blades and the flat wrench. The post is tubular so that the container can be removably attached to a table saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: S-B Power Tool Company
    Inventor: Kenneth N. Svetlik
  • Patent number: 6158585
    Abstract: A dispenser of small hardware items includes a generally parallelepiped-shaped box with having a base containing a side opening for access to the interior. At least one removable cartridge is insertable within the box and has similar cross-sectional dimensions as the box, each cartridge containing a plurality of stacked holders for the hardware items. The cartridge further has a removable closure located at its base and positioned adjacent to the base of the box thereby permitting removal of holders one at a time through the side opening, upon removal of the closure. Each holder further includes a card having a foil backing of easily breakable material and a transparent cover bonded on preselected areas to the backing thereby creating distributed raised cells, between the backing and cover, for receiving hardware items of identical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Jacques Labat, Simone Labat
  • Patent number: 6158579
    Abstract: A container having a body including a floor and a skirt coupled to the floor arranged to define a goods-storage region above the floor. The skirt including a rear side wall, left and right end walls coupled to the floor and arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to position the rear side wall therebetween and a convertible section pivotably coupled to the rear side wall for movement between a closure position coupled to the left and right end walls to cover the goods-storage region and a display position uncoupled from the left and right end walls to uncover the goods-storage region, wherein the convertible section includes a top wall portion pivotably coupled to the rear side wall, a first frangible connector coupling the top wall portion to the left end wall, a second tangible connector coupling the top wall portion to the right end wall, a detachable portion pivotably coupled to the top wall portion, and a third frangible connector coupling the detachable portion to the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Inland Paperboard and Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: John Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 6149955
    Abstract: A snack food container comprises a blow molded extruded transparent polyvinyl chloride housing having solid wall and base segments, a token slot, and an opening through which a solid particulate snack food product is loaded into and removed from the housing. A releasable seal on an interior surface of the housing covers the token slot. The sealed cap, token slot seal and housing maintain the food product in a sealed state prior to the cap being removed and/or the seal being released. The housing is used as a token bank by inserting tokens through the released token slot after the food product has been removed from the housing and the seal has been released from the token slot. In one embodiment the token slot is a pressure sensitive adhesive strip adhesively attached to the housing, and in a second embodiment the slot is in the cap. The housing contains visible promotional material unrelated to the snack food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Warren J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6138902
    Abstract: An insulated receptacle for receiving a container which is formed of a laminate of paper and foam. The receptacle is foldable and thus can be readily compressed and stored for future use. Opposite side walls of the receptacle include cut-out portions for readily gripping a container for inserting into and removing from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Weekend 2000, Inc.
    Inventor: James Welch
  • Patent number: 6109263
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for the emergency respiration of a patient which is packed to be very small and which achieves the state of use of the respiratory mask in routine operation through volume growth of a foam body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Gottfried Feuchtgruber
  • Patent number: 6073767
    Abstract: Disclosed is a peel pouch adapted to enclose an article to be sterilized, the peel pouch having a base panel having an exterior surface and an edge. In selected embodiments, a first and a second flap are disposed along the edge of the base panel so that the first flap is spaced apart from the second flap. The peel pouch further includes a cover panel having at least one tab disposed on along an edge of the cover panel, the cover panel overlying the base panel. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the tab is disposed above and between the first and second flaps. At least one seal joins the cover panel to the base panel so that a pocket suitable to receive articles to be sterilized is formed. The peel pouch may be electret treated prior to insertion of the article to be sterilized. During opening of the peel pouch, the exterior surface of the base panel is held against a supporting surface while a separating force is applied to the tab of the cover panel to separate the cover panel from the base panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Cohen, Julie R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6041918
    Abstract: A bisectioned package is formed from curvilinear cross-sectioned mating components to provide the shape of a sport ball. The sections are formed from tinplate, aluminum, metal or a polymer can or container material and are readily separable. The container is usefully sized to hold a separately packaged serving of snack food. Graphic representations of features of an athletic ball are provided on the outer surfaces of the mating sections, and optionally the inner surfaces of the mating sections allow features of a playing field, stadium or sports theme to be displayed as a panorama. After the retail package function of the container is exhausted following purchase of the item, the separate mating components of the bisectioned container are useful as bowls for consumption of the packaged food and can be subsequently re-mated to form a separately useful keepsake or container such as a coin bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: M. Douglas Moore
  • Patent number: 5979646
    Abstract: A specialized tray system including a tray, the tray having front and rear walls parallel with each other and side walls parallel with respect to each other, an imperforate bottom coupling the lower ends of the walls and a top coupling upper ends of the walls. Six plastic removable supports are positionable within the apertures and adapted to receive smaller glasses for transportation by the specialized tray. The height of the trays being such that the lower surface of the flange will rest on the upper surface of the top while the lower surface of the insert will rest on the upper surface of the bottom. Each support having a rigid plastic exterior and flange with a foam plastic interior for gripping a smaller glass. A large opening is formed in the front wall adapted to receive associated objects such as straws, condiments and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Robert C. Strachan
  • Patent number: 5975415
    Abstract: A reclosable carton having an integrated hang tab adapted for use on standard store pegboard or racking displays wherein the integrity of the hangtab is such that it will withstand the loading of weights comparable to or exceeding those withstood by pressure sensitive hangtabs. The hangtab is perforated along the bottom so that it can be torn off by the consumer after purchase. With the hangtab in use, the carton with which it is integrated provides continuous closure to the product inside via a top inside major flap which prevents dust and debris from entering the carton. A zipstrip is included and it provides a positive closure for the package which is tamper evident and secure. A reclose tab is integrated into the zipstrip. When the zipstrip is removed, the reclose tab is created. It can be tucked into a corresponding opening in the carton front wall panel for carton reclosure. Additionally, a secure locking ellipse is incorporated into the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.
    Inventor: Sally A. Zehnal
  • Patent number: 5957293
    Abstract: A dual-purpose carrier tray is specially adapted for packing and shipping either a plurality of ceramic substrates and/or ceramic BGA packages. The carrier tray includes a tray member having a plurality of pockets disposed therein for packing and storing the plurality of ceramic substrates and/or ceramic BGA packages. Semicircularly depressed support members are provided to support only the lower surface adjacent corresponding corners of the plurality of ceramic substrates and/or ceramic BGA packages. A plurality of stand-offs are provided for contactly engaging only the top surface of the plurality of substrates and/or BGA packages adjacent its corners in a lower tray member when stacked so as to retain firmly the substrates and/or BGA packages in the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Saragarvani Pakeriasamy
  • Patent number: 5934464
    Abstract: A container is disclosed for fishing lures or other objects. The container includes an outer tube having a cylindrical side wall and one closed end and one open end. The cylindrical side wall has an elongated opening therein and the outer tube has recess therein. The container also includes an inner tube which is rotatably mounted within the outer tube. The inner tube has a cylindrical side wall and also has one closed end and one open end. The open end of the inner tube is sized for longitudinal insertion into the open end of said outer tube. The side wall of the inner tube also has an elongated opening therein and inner tube has a rib thereon which cooperates with the recess to longitudinally hold the inner tube within the outer tube. Rotation of the inner tube to a rotational position where the elongated opening of the inner tube is in alignment with the elongated opening of the outer tube provides a substantial area of access to the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Peter V. Vargo
    Inventors: Peter V. Vargo, John V. Vargo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5896701
    Abstract: A hydroponic cultivation receptacle comprising a tray 22 having a board 22a to place seeds of small vegetables like sprouts has plural drainage holes 23 on the board 22a and upper rims of said drainage holes 23 to form protrusion 24 so as to retain a little amount of water to dip lower part of the seeds placed on the board 22a. Accordingly, water remained to the height of protrusion 24 retains enough water to keep lower part of the seeds by surface tension while most water provided inside tray 22 drained from the drainage holes 23. Protrusion 24 prevents the seeds from moving from the place they are uniformly placed and the problem of moving of the seeds when water is poured is also solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Schaerer Company
    Inventor: Emil A. Schaerer
  • Patent number: 5865305
    Abstract: A stencil case that makes stencil work efficient, and which allows organization and storage of ink pads and stencil brushes. The stencil case stores ink pads and stencil brushes, and has a base (1) and a lid, the base characterized by providing several ink pad storage slots (3) for storing different colors of ink pads in parallel in the base (1), and several brush storage slots (4) for storing as many stencil brushes as the number of ink pads in parallel and at a position opposite to the ink pad storage slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Tsukineko, Inc.
    Inventor: Rira Yasoshima
  • Patent number: 5819927
    Abstract: A CD container storage device includes a rectangular case and a cover wherein the rectangular case includes a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and two lateral side walls and divided into two chambers by a vertical partition having a slot a front side thereof, and the cover is pivotally and slidably engaged with the rectangular case and has a hook member engageable with the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Sheng-Fu Yeh
  • Patent number: 5795604
    Abstract: A shaped generally rigid, polymeric sealed package having an ordered set of bacon pieces is provided. The ordered pieces can be provided as multiple arrays of bacon strips, whether whole, partial or broken slices. Each array can include a plurality of bacon pieces with a flexible sheeting positioned between vertically adjacent bacon piece arrays. Corresponding slices from respective arrays are in general vertical alignment with each other so as to form multiple stacks of bacon pieces. A generally rigid cover or pedestal is releasably hermetically secured to a rigid tray or bubble. Package walls are substantially transparent so that the consumer can readily inspect, prior to purchase, multiple entire lengths of bacon slice surfaces. The package is especially advantageous when the bacon pieces are in the form of partially-to-fully-cooked slices or slice portions. The bacon pieces are supported in their ordered set configuration by engagement, directly or indirectly, with interior surfaces of the sealed package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Cindie M. Wells, Mark E. Selz
  • Patent number: 5749465
    Abstract: A container accommodating a rodlike object (6) is comprising of a cylinder body (1), a shutter portion (2), and a cap (3). A retrieving port (10) for taking out the rodlike object 6 by holding the middle portion of the rodlike object 6 by fingers (7) and a through-hole for the head portion (11) for passing the head portion of the rodlike object are formed on the circumference wall of the cylinder body, in which a neck portion (12) having a clearance (12a) formed to have a smaller width than the thickness of the middle portion of the rodlike object is formed between the retrieving port and the through-hole for the head portion. The cylinder body is unitedly assembled thereon with the shutter portion and the cap in order, in which a shutter is opened by operating the rotation of the cap. According to the aforementioned structure, production of each part is easier, fewer numbers of parts, and further simplified assembly are possible, resulting in a small cost of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushikigaisha Daiwa Riken Kogyo
    Inventor: Kimio Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5738239
    Abstract: A waste container contains at the bottom, a panel fastened on a base forming between them a tube having one end blocked and the other end open. A slot in the panel extends the length of the tube and has an open end beyond the open end of the tube. Finger grips in the panel beyond the open end of the tube enable one to tilt up the open end of the slot for simultaneously loading a roll of liner bags in the tube and one bag from the roll in the slot by the open ends of the tube and slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Innovative Product Development Corp.
    Inventor: Benito Triglia
  • Patent number: 5725092
    Abstract: A new portable storage rack for releasably holding cases for information media such as compact discs and audio tape cassettes. The inventive device includes a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of side walls, and a sub-floor portion that together define a rectangular storage space. The side walls include a handle cut out on each of their bottom edges. A base floor is positioned below the sub-floor portion and extends between the front wall and the rear wall. A plurality of evenly spaced apart dividing walls for separating and holding the cases of information media are disposed within the storage space. A hook and loop fastener is coupled to the base floor and a support surface to permit removable attachment to the surface and stabilize the portable storage rack on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Gregory Irvin Spears
  • Patent number: 5702743
    Abstract: A shaped generally rigid, synthetic plastic sealed package having multiple stacks of sliced bacon is provided. A generally rigid cover is releasably hermetically secured to a rigid tray. Package walls are substantially transparent so that the consumer can readily inspect, prior to purchase, multiple entire lengths of bacon slice surfaces. At least two stacks of vertically aligned bacon slices are arranged longitudinally in side-by-side relationship to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Cindie M. Wells
  • Patent number: 5678694
    Abstract: A food and beverage tray that includes food sections and a beverage section, the latter to hold a beverage container and finger receiving means as a part of the tray in said beverage section wherein at least one finger of a hand may be used to stabilize and hold the beverage container wherein the remaining fingers and palm of the hand hold and stabilize the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Michael K. Tanaka
    Inventors: Michael K. Tanaka, Masao Morisaku
  • Patent number: 5590784
    Abstract: A combination of a single or double hook-mounted pack of header bags in which, to facilitate removal of each bag, there is provided along the perforation line separating each bag header from the remainder of the bag, at least one elongated opening, such as a chisel cut. This enables one to practice the method of bag removal which involves simply placing the fingers below, or in the area of the elongated opening, and pressing the fingers down against the bag pack, thereby to separate the front wall of the bag from its back wall and pull the front wall away from the bag's back wall to open the bag for filling by the clerk's other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: The Avantage Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5590769
    Abstract: An individual CD case which includes a rectangular case body having a front open side and two opposing locating grooves near the front open side, a sliding plate slidably inserted into the front open side of the case body and retained inside the case body by forcing two headed retainer strips thereof into engagement with the locating grooves of the case body, the sliding plate having springs at the back side which automatically force the sliding plate out of the case body when the sliding plate is depressed and then immediately released, and a CD holder plate mounted on the sliding plate and having a keeper for holding down an individual compact disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Shi-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 5586677
    Abstract: A foldover container which is uniquely constructed so that the container may be easily opened and closed. The container has a base with a sidewall circumscribing a top opening. An outward extending flange for grasping the base is attached to the sidewall. A cover is hingeably connected to the base and has a peripheral downward extending skirt with a flange extending generally outward from the skirt. The cover is shaped and dimensioned to cover and close the top opening with the skirt extending generally along the exterior of the sidewall of the base.When the cover closes the top opening, the cover and base may be releasably attached to hold the cover in the closed position, and the skirt and the sidewall are sized so that the flange on the base is vertically spaced from the flange on the cover so that each of the flanges may be individually and pinchingly grasped to open the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Plastofilm Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Foos
  • Patent number: 5579910
    Abstract: A package especially useful for dispensing cotton swabs. The package includes a cover comprised of a thin plastic bubble and a base made of paperboard. The cover is adhered to the base along its periphery. An access opening if formed by lines of weakness in both the cover and the base. The opening permits removal of the swabs by the consumer, but prevents escape of the swabs during normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Bennett
  • Patent number: 5562206
    Abstract: A container for holding several objects, such as cigarettes, is provided. The container includes a cover plate located on a bottom of the container and pivotable relative to a pivot axis formed in a back wall. An inward pivoting of the cover plate imparts an upward movement to the cigarettes located atop the cover plate. The container also includes two opposing tabs that restrict the pivotable movement of the cover plate to movement within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Stratop Management Und Treuhand AG
    Inventor: Felix K. Keller
  • Patent number: 5538136
    Abstract: An egg storer including a relatively rigid transparent outer box formed of two hinged shells and receiving a pair of removable cushioning inserts. Each insert includes pockets therein which receive and cushion eggs, and suspend the eggs above the bottom wall of the box. The pockets are arranged in two rows of spaced pockets with the rows longitudinally offset and the pockets of adjacent rows generally transversely internested. The overall configuration of the box and internal inserts is an elongate and narrow oblique parallelepiped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Frederik J. Onneweer
  • Patent number: 5522503
    Abstract: A syringe case includes, a) a plurality of longitudinally elongated individual syringe retaining compartments having respective lengths which are greater than the length of a syringe for which the respective compartments are adapted; b) a separately openable and closable associated with the compartments, the lids include respective pairs of recesses provided in their opposing longitudinal edges, one longitudinal edge recess of one of the lids being longitudinally positioned to align with one longitudinal recess of the other lid to provide a finger space between the two juxtaposed lids, the finger space having a size sufficiently great to receive a human finger therewithin; c) at least one longitudinal hinge associated with the respective lids and compartments to support the respective lids for longitudinal swinging movement between open and closed positions relative to their respective compartments, the lid when closed defines a compartment volume which is sufficiently great to receive a syringe for which the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Frank Halbich
  • Patent number: 5520939
    Abstract: A shaped generally rigid, synthetic plastic sealed package having multiple stacks of sliced bacon is provided. A generally rigid cover is releasably hermetically secured to a rigid tray. Package walls are substantially transparent so that the consumer can readily inspect, prior to purchase, multiple entire lengths of bacon slice surfaces. At least two stacks of vertically aligned bacon slices are arranged longitudinally in side-by-side relationship to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Cindie M. Wells
  • Patent number: 5515971
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting lamp bulbs such as a fluorescent tube includes a central housing assembly, a finger access port through which a finger can be inserted to partially push a retained fluorescent tube out of the apparatus is located on one end of the housing assembly and a first resilient or cushioning member located inside the housing adjacent the access port. A cap assembly is removably connected to a second opposed end of the central housing assembly. A compressible gripper assembly in the form of a resilient donut or ring is connected to an interior surface of the central housing assembly proximal to the first resilient member and has an uncompressed internal diameter which is less than an outer tube diameter of a fluorescent tube adapted to be retained in the apparatus by the gripper assembly. A filter member is provided coextensive with the access port between the first resilient member and the gripper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Edward J. Segrest
  • Patent number: 5505299
    Abstract: A storage case for a compact optical disc retains trays for the disc in a spring loaded arrangement that is released by a latch mechanism easily activated using one hand. The case is formed by top and bottom portions of alternative configurations. By selecting different combinations of configurations, the case provides storage for two, four or six compact discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Opticord, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Ditzig, Patrick B. Sandell
  • Patent number: 5503858
    Abstract: A molded plastic overwrap tray is disclosed having a base and sidewalls. The upper edges of the sidewalls define an upper surface of the tray. The base and sidewalls define a food retaining chamber. Adjacent sidewalls of the tray are connected to one another through a corner reinforcing rib extending from the base to the upper edges of the associated sidewalls. The reinforcing rib defines a channel in communication with the food retaining chamber to provide finger access to food positioned in the food retaining chamber to facilitate removal thereof. Each of the corner ribs provides reinforcement to resist deflection of the upper edges of the sidewalls, whereby an overwrap on the tray is supported by the upper surface of the tray to minimize sagging of the overwrap and prevent the overwrap from coming into contact with food in the food retaining chamber. In another embodiment, a center post is provided having its upper end substantially level with the upper surface of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Tekni-Plex Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Reskow
  • Patent number: 5411138
    Abstract: Packaging is provided for a toy that includes a body having bottom wall having a slot. The packaging includes bottom, top, front, back and side walls defining a box sized to receive the toy and a key. The bottom surface of the box has an opening aligned with the toy's slot so that the key may be passed through the bottom box opening into the toy's body slot. The key includes a shaft, a head at one end of the shaft, and a base at another end of the shaft. The head is sized to fit through the box opening and body slot and shaped so that the key head will remain in the toy body when the key head is rotated in the body. The base of the key is sized to prevent passage of the base through the box opening. If the toy includes a wheel operated display, the box bottom may be provided with a slot which allows access to the wheel so that the display may be operated without removing the toy from the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Handi-Pac, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Klawiter
  • Patent number: 5390792
    Abstract: A packaging for the protective sterile containment of a rigid product and, more particularly, a sealed container protectively enclosing the sterile product, such as a liquid-filled vial, during shipment and handling of the packaging, and upon opening of the packaging in a sterile environment; for instance, a surgical operating room, facilitating the sterile transfer of the product from the packaging into the sterile environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: William Van Ness, Robert J. Kalinski
  • Patent number: 5382408
    Abstract: Microcentrifuge tube having a container having a round opening and a frictionally seated lid hingedly connected by a fixed-hinge to the container, the lid having an upper lid surface and being sized and shaped to cover and seal the opening to maintain the inside of the tube free of any contaminant. The lid has a lid extension extending upwardly from the lid surface and outwardly away from the hinge in such a manner which allows the lid to be unseated and moved from the opening of the container when mechanical pressure by a user's finger is applied to the lid. The lid further has a guard portion extending downward from a portion of the lid and configured and arranged adjacent the container to act as a finger guard to prevent a user's finger contacting the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Brandeis University
    Inventor: Daniel Perlman
  • Patent number: 5382081
    Abstract: A foldable, portable seat structure made from preformed blanks of sheet material such as cardboard. When assembled and folded into a flat position, the seat is easily carried, and the structure has finger holes that facilitate unfolding into a useable seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Glen F. Henry
  • Patent number: 5353935
    Abstract: A thermoformed thermoplastic blister has a forwardly extending bubble which defines a container cavity. A flange extends sidewardly from the bubble and a skirt extends rearwardly from the flange. The skirt is thermoformed with a number of undercut detents which extend inwardly and are spaced approximately the thickness of a paperboard card from the flange. A card is positioned adjacent the blister flange beneath the bubble and within the skirt. The lower portion of the card is affixed such as by heat sealing to the blister flange. The card is formed with a laterally extending fold line or weakened area which divides the card and permits the upper portion of the card to be pivoted rearwardly to alternatively cover and expose the container cavity of the blister. The detents retain the pivoted portion of the card within the skirt. The plastic blister is deformable to allow portions of the card to be pivoted rearwardly past the detents and enable recloseable uncovering of the container cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Anchor Wire Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Yeager, Andy Talbot
  • Patent number: 5341923
    Abstract: A premium package having an easily removable premium panel secured thereto and disposed therein, includes a parallelepiped carton defining an interior void and having a pair of opposed major side panels and a pair of opposed minor side panels connecting the major side panels. At one end of the carton, a major end panel is secured to one of the major side panels and defines a tuck flap, the major end panel being movable between a closed position wherein it closes the one end of the carton and an open position wherein it enables access to the carton void. A premium panel is secured to the other of the major side panels by a line of weakness and disposed within the carton void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Westerm Publishing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Arasim
  • Patent number: 5323910
    Abstract: A party plate comprising a first portion having a top surface for holding food and a bottom surface for resting on the forearm of a user; a second portion attached to said first portion having a beverage container support; an aperture in the second portion for receiving a thumb of a user; and an edge on the second portion for providing a non-fatiguing grip for the fingers of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Pieter A. van de Graaf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5287965
    Abstract: A storage device for storing Christmas lights assembled from a vertical core section, a pair of horizontal end sections, and a sheath. The device is constructed from corrugated cardboard. Each opposing end of each of the four sides of the core section includes both a foldable flap and a slot, which is formed adjacent the fold line of the flap. The horizontal end sections, located at either opposing core section end, each include a centrally disposed opening defined by four inward sides. Each inward side has a width substantially equal to the core section sides and includes an inwardly extending tab. When the core section is inserted into the centrally disposed opening, the tabs are received by the slots to secure the core section and end section together. Each end section also includes four locking regions, each locking region having a first folding element and a second folding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventor: John E. Miller
  • Patent number: 5285897
    Abstract: A rectangular tape cassette case for carrying a plurality of tape cassettes has a base member formed with a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of side walls. A cover member formed with a top wall and a pair of side walls is slidably mounted on the base member in a longitudinal direction of the rectangular tape cassette case. The base member has ribs for separating spaces for each of the tape cassettes to be carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 5269430
    Abstract: An individual serving food container is provided for housing individual servings of food products, such as pie slices and the like, which are generally triangular or wedge shaped and have an outwardly extending "crust" portion. The container includes a tray/cover combination having means for supporting the crust portions of such food product servings from collapsing when housed within the container. The rear wall of the tray has a transverse edge thereof remote from the bottom wall which extends rearwardly therefrom to define a platform adapted to support the outwardly extending crust portion of the wedge-shaped food serving contained in the housing cavity. The container is also provided with means facilitating removal of stored individual servings therefrom and guide means for facilitating proper alignment of locking elements disposed on the cover and tray so as to simplify the locking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America
    Inventors: Robert S. Schlaupitz, Patricia A. Antoni, Stephen A. Smith
  • Patent number: 5267650
    Abstract: A child resistant drug assemblage is disclosed comprising a container having rows of spaced drug cell cavities each of which receives a unit drug dose of medication. The container is provided with a lock means that enables it to be readily opened by an adult but difficult to be opened by a child. Each of the drug dose modules has a plurality of drug cell cavities each of which can hold unit daily doses of a drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Gilbilisco