Integral Patents (Class 220/23.8)
  • Patent number: 11678613
    Abstract: A horticultural container for attaching to a railing, including a planter body, at least one leg extending downward from the planter body, and a connecting device. The planter body rests on top of the top rail of the railing, while the legs straddle the top rail. The connecting device attaches to each leg below the top rail, and receives balusters of the railing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: THE HC COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Drew Keeble, Mark Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11147403
    Abstract: A portable food handling device including a flexible strip having a body portion and a first and second end region, the body portion bent into a closed loop configuration to define an interior space configured to receive foodstuffs therein. Such a portable food handling device can include a feeder that can rotate to linearly advance the foodstuff in a bite-by-bite manner into the user's mouth. The foodstuff is thus incrementally exposed so that it can be directly eaten in a sanitary manner without using eating accessories, such as plates and/or utensils, as well as without one's hands directly touching and contaminating the foodstuff to prevent the spread of disease and pandemics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Leonid Shendelman
  • Patent number: 10829272
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a bottom wall, a plurality of connected walls attached to the bottom wall to define a cavity having a top rim, and a flange extending laterally outward from the top rim. At least a portion of the flange extends downwardly from the top rim. The portion of the flange includes an aperture configured to accept a user's thumb, and the portion of the flange is substantially symmetrical about a center line of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: BERCOM INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Bergman, Jeffrey T. Given, Matthew V. Leyden, Jeffrey B. Waffensmith
  • Patent number: 10413904
    Abstract: The invention relates to kits and components thereof used in the conduct of solid-phase binding assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Meso Scale Technologies
    Inventors: Yihong Claire Lu, Pankaj Oberoi
  • Patent number: 10206536
    Abstract: A tray or pan for preparing and serving pizza is disclosed. The tray or pan may have a first cooking region separated from a second cooking region by a partition. The tray or pan may be discoid in shape and comprise an annular partition defining a smaller discoid surface within the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Arlene Saunders
  • Patent number: 9986862
    Abstract: Trays are designed to allow an individual to carry their food on a tray where the individual has complete control of the tray with one hand. The tray can be customized for a particular food vendor's menu. At the same time, the tray allows for advertising information on the front view. The tray is constructed for a one time use and therefore is made from a thin plastic or cardboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Eric Michael Hyman
  • Patent number: 9573727
    Abstract: A packing box can include a first cover, a second cover, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, a fourth sidewall, and a bulkhead. The first cover and the second cover can be opposite to each other. The four sidewalls can be sequentially coupled end-to-end. The bulkhead can be received in the main box and be substantially parallel to the first cover and the second cover. Four edges of the bulkhead can be coupled to the four sidewalls, respectively. An inner receiving space of the main box can be divided into a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity by the bulkhead. A number of receiving portions can be defined on a surface of the packing box facing the first receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ScienBiziP Consulting(Shenzhen)Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Fei Fan
  • Patent number: 9474398
    Abstract: A food retaining apparatus and associated methods are described. In one embodiment, the food retaining apparatus includes a food receptacle formed in a first side of a plate. The food retaining apparatus further includes a beverage container receptacle comprising an indented hollow having a receptacle opening, where a beverage container is insertable into the receptacle opening and the opening is located on a second side of the plate, the second side being opposite the first side. Also, in one embodiment, a plurality of ribs extend from an inner wall of the indented hollow, the ribs being positioned to engage a lip on an opening of the beverage container. Alternatively, at least one projection maybe disposed on the inner wall of the indented hollow to grip the beverage container when inserted into the beverage container receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: The Go Plate, LLC
    Inventor: Marion Lynn Farmer
  • Patent number: 8985367
    Abstract: A hair dye mixing assembly comprises a bowl comprising at least one arm and an opening and at least one support member arranged about said bowl, and attached to the bowl through the bowl arm. The support members can be immovably fixed to the bowl, movably connected to the bowl to move or rotate in different directions, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: Chan Soo Kim, Saerom Kim, Bumjin Kim
  • Patent number: 8985379
    Abstract: A beverage container holder is provided, consisting of an elongated body having a planar upper support surface having alternative engagement mechanisms on opposing ends thereof. At one end an aperture is formed, having an elongated ledge-like support that extends downwardly to a horizontally-extending terminus that underlies a portion of the aperture to receive and retain a beverage container—both cylindrical and goblet-shaped. At an opposing end and at a midpoint of the planar upper support surface, a pair of apertures cooperates with the thumb and fingers of a user's hand, to position and secure a food plate against an upper surface of the beverage container holder. The thumb and fingers extend through the apertures from a position below the holder, and in gripping the food plate, the user is also grasping the holder—which in turn may be carrying a beverage container held within the beverage-receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Ronald G. Evans
  • Publication number: 20150028029
    Abstract: A portable straddle bag device for furniture, which may be used as an accessory for existing furniture. A straddle member is supported horizontally by the furniture. The generally horizontal straddle member straddles a horizontal plane of furniture, such as a mattress, with the first bag member extending from one end of the straddle member and a second bag member extending from an opposite end of the straddle member. The bag members hang from the opposite ends of the straddle member in a generally horizontal fashion, and provides a place to keep frequently used items in close reach of the user. The sides of the furniture, where the articles are so kept do not interfere with the intended use of the furniture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Sylvia Scott
  • Publication number: 20140374415
    Abstract: A wax melt assembly includes a plurality of first wax melts, a plurality of second wax melts and a melt retainer. The first wax melts each have a first property. The second wax melts each have a second property that is different than the first property. The melt retainer includes a first compartment, a second compartment and a retainer body. The first compartment retains the first wax melts. The second compartment retains the second wax melts. The retainer body can have a height that extends from a base to a top of the retainer body and can include a plurality of exterior side walls that extend the height of the retainer body. The retainer body can include a compartment separator that extends between the first compartment and the second compartment. The first compartment can include a first sub-compartment that retains one of the first wax melts, and a second sub-compartment that retains another of the first wax melts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Travis Propes
  • Patent number: 8814263
    Abstract: A snack holder includes a generally cylindrical cup sized and shaped lower section and a larger container or multiple container upper or adjacent section for holding snack foods, additional cups and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph D. Cassese, James Hicswa
  • Patent number: 8789460
    Abstract: A divided cake pan and a method enable simultaneous baking, in a single unitary cake pan, of at least two varieties of cake in corresponding complementary cake segments for presenting a single predetermine cake configuration in the at least two varieties. A single batch of cake batter is divided into sub-batches, each having different ingredients, and the sub-batches are baked simultaneously in the unitary cake pan to establish the complementary cake segments with complementary faces. The complementary cake segments are removed from the cake pan, joined at complementary faces, and presented as a single integrated predetermined cake configuration including at least two varieties of cake. A preferred cake configuration is a simulated bundt cake configuration wherein the cake segments have a substantially arcuate configuration for presentation in a completed integrated ring-like configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Elizabeth Smith
  • Patent number: 8720734
    Abstract: A food serving plate with features that cooperatively interact with utensils to provide fun assistance to children with their effort to load food onto their utensils. The features on the plate include either or both of: a vertically slotted ramp that accepts the tines of an eating utensil, such as a fork, which allows a person to load food onto the utensil by pushing the food up the ramp and then sliding the utensil under the food when it has reached sufficient height; and a ramp with a nested depression that accepts the leading perimeter contours of a utensil with a food-receiving bowl, such as a spoon, which allows a person to load food onto the utensil by positioning the utensil within the nested depression and by pushing the food up the ramp and over the nested depression with a second utensil with a blunt profile, such as a pusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Carter T. Malcolm, Jacqueline K. Malcolm
  • Patent number: 8714399
    Abstract: Provided are plate designs that enable a user to hold a plate in one hand, together with a drinking cup in the same hand. The subject designs find use in various situations in which a user desires to hold a plate and a drinking cup simultaneously. The subject designs also find use in various situations in which a user desires to hold a plate securely, in the presence or absence of a drinking cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: John Zox
  • Patent number: 8701913
    Abstract: The invention provides a dual-reservoir container for liquid handling. The container includes two reservoirs attached to each other by a bridge means and a base wall, and further includes an integral seal cap connected to the base wall by a fixed hinge means. The seal cap includes a lid, two annular sealing walls extending downward from the lid and adapted to seal the reservoirs, two closed dome-shaped structures extending upward from the lid and the annular sealing walls, a locking tab hingedly attached to and extending substantially co-planar with and outward from the lid, and a lid extension extending upward from the upper lid surface. The locking tab has a longitudinal slot therethrough and can be moved from its normal outwardly position to a securing position in which the longitudinal slot engages a securing member comprised in the base wall, preventing the seal cap from being unseated from the reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Meridian Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Denison Pack, Robert G. States, III
  • Patent number: 8584884
    Abstract: Food container is provided having a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion and the second body portion are joined together to define an interior of the container and a mouth to the interior. The first body portion has a first flap moveable between an open position and a closed position, and the first flap includes a foldable support formed therein to hold a receptacle when in the open position. The second body portion has a second flap moveable between an open position and a closed position, and the second flap includes a tab to engage the first flap in the closed position to form a lid across the mouth of the interior. A blank for forming the food container from a sheet of blank material is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pactiv Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Angela E. Learn, Kyle Karvola
  • Patent number: 8573437
    Abstract: A beverage container holder is provided, consisting of an elongated body having a planar upper support surface having alternative engagement mechanisms on opposing ends and at a mid-point thereof. At one end an aperture is formed, having a support suspended therein to receive and retain a beverage container—cup, glass or can. At an opposing end and at a midpoint of the planar upper support surface, a pair of apertures cooperates with the thumb and fingers of a user's hand, to position and secure a food plate against an upper surface of the beverage container holder. The thumb and fingers extend through the apertures from a position below the holder, and in gripping the food plate, the user is also grasping the holder—which in turn may be carrying a beverage container held within the beverage-receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald G. Evans
  • Patent number: 8573428
    Abstract: An article storage case is capable of highly reliable coupling to another such article storage case by simply placing the cases side by side. An article storage case according to the invention is in a substantially cubic or rectangular parallelepiped form having an opening oriented upwardly and has an arrangement in which a sidewall thereof has an outside surface formed with an engagement projection and an engagement recess, and in which when a plurality of such article storage cases are placed side by side, the engagement projection of one of adjacent article storage cases is capable of being movably fitted into the engagement recess of another one of the adjacent article storage cases to couple the adjacent storage cases to each other by engagement between the engagement projection and the engagement recess which are movably fitted with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Furuta
  • Patent number: 8550550
    Abstract: A snack holder includes a generally cylindrical cup sized and shaped lower section and a larger container or multiple container upper or adjacent section for holding snack foods or additional cups. The snack holder may be combined with a tray comprised of at least first and second cup shaped cylindrical sections joined by a web and compatibly sized to receive and support the snack holder as well as to fit into a cup holder in the arm rest of a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph D. Cassese, James Hicswa
  • Patent number: 8479939
    Abstract: A transportable storage device having three compartments wherein a main compartment is configured to maintain a temperature dissimilar to that of its environment. The transportable storage device includes two opposedly mounted storage compartments that are hingedly attached so as to have a first position and a second position. The two opposedly mounted storage compartments are secured utilizing a pair of support arms. A first container is disposed within the main compartment and is superposed a plurality of support brackets. An access hatch is further included being mounted within the main compartment and operable to cover a second opening in the wall of the main compartment. A second container is included and is rotatably mounted within one of the two opposedly mounted storage compartments. A sliding transport member is further included and is configured to slidably traverse the storage device across a terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: James Gross
  • Patent number: 8469222
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a main body portion for holding cake(s) and/or cupcake(s). The main body portion includes a plurality of recesses configured to retain a baked good therein. Various portions of the main body along with the cake(s) and/or cupcake(s), can be designed, colored, and decorated so as to collectively portray a desired theme for the cake and/or cupcake display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Decopac, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stavitzski, Carol Decker, Elizabeth Glover
  • Patent number: 8459459
    Abstract: A lockable pill container includes a holder defining at least one compartment having an access opening providing access to a pill holder interior volume. At least one lid is moveable between a covering position and an open position. The lid includes a first locking member that is sized to project into the holder when the respective lid is in the covering position. A second locking member is moveable between a locking position and a release position. The locking position includes a position in which the second locking member engages a first locking member of the at least one lid in the covering position. The release position includes a position in which the second locking member is disengaged from all of the first locking members. The second locking member includes opposite first and second ends. The second locking member is moveable from the locking position to the release position by application of a force against the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Apothecary Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance O. Noble, Robert N. Priebe
  • Patent number: 8445043
    Abstract: A multi-temperature and multi-texture frozen food microwave heating tray includes a first integral compartment defined by at least one sidewall and an upwardly convex bottom, and a second integral compartment defined by at least one sidewall and a bottom and comprising a microwave energy access modulating structure for one of the first and second compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: H.J. Heinz Company
    Inventors: Daniel C. Jackson, Christopher P. Rowoth, Elizabeth Ritchey, William J. Rodgers, Amber Fisher Koehler
  • Patent number: 8348091
    Abstract: Provided are plate designs that enable a user to hold a plate in one hand, together with a drinking cup in the same hand. The subject designs find use in various situations in which a user desires to hold a plate and a drinking cup simultaneously. The subject designs also find use in various situations in which a user desires to hold a plate securely, in the presence or absence of a drinking cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: John Zox
  • Patent number: 8235239
    Abstract: A bottle including a body portion having a dividing wall extending from a base portion to a connection region; a first chamber for holding a first liquid, the first chamber configured to connect to a first orifice; and a second chamber for holding a second liquid, the second chamber configured to connect to a second orifice; wherein a height of the dividing wall is less than an overall height of the body portion and the connection region is configured to be a maximum height of the dividing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Theodosios Kountotsis
  • Patent number: 8006845
    Abstract: A lockable pill container includes a holder defining at least one compartment having an access opening providing access to a pill holder interior volume. At least one lid is moveable between a covering position and an open position. The lid includes a first locking member that is sized to project into the holder when the respective lid is in the covering position. A second locking member is moveable between a locking position and a release position. The locking position includes a position in which the second locking member engages a first locking member of the at least one lid in the covering position. The release position includes a position in which the second locking member is disengaged from all of the first locking members. The second locking member includes opposite first and second ends. The second locking member is moveable from the locking position to the release position by application of a force against the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Apothecary Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance O. Noble, Robert N. Priebe
  • Patent number: 8006854
    Abstract: A container for mounting on the neck of a bottle or other vessel having an annular abutment surface thereon, the container including a wall formed of two or more wall sections and an opening formed in the wall for receiving the neck of the vessel. The two wall sections are joined together by a frangible seal which allows the customer to open the container in a controlled manner, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: The Snap Organisation USA Inc.
    Inventor: James Waugh
  • Patent number: 7980405
    Abstract: The individually detachable drink pack includes a plurality of beverage containers aligned in a substantially linear fashion. A tab is disposed about the periphery of the cap and/or base of each container and extends to the next container, attaching to the next container's base or cap to another tab. In this manner, the containers are attached end to end, or may be branched to start a side chain of containers, also linked end to end. Each tab is relatively thin and flexible, having sufficient strength to normally keep the containers connected, yet being frangible such that the tab may be broken by being bent or torn, thus allowing consecutive beverage containers to be separated and the contents thereof consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Hei Jun An
  • Patent number: 7963411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1), which is provided with a lock, can be filled with a liquid and is positively connectable with at least one another container (1). In order to form an assembly of several containers (1), the invention is characterized in that the containers (1) are provided with at least one flat surface, several containers can be assembled according to a two-dimensional interconnection, and a form fit is obtainable with at least one adjacent container, at least one first form (2, 5) projected with respect to the base form of the container (1), is engageable into at least one second corresponding form embedded in the base form of the container (1), and extends at least to one surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Jürgen Nölle
  • Publication number: 20110120995
    Abstract: A cup holder tray having a plurality of cup pockets for receiving beverage cups therein, a finger spacing provided between two cup pockets, and a thumb-receiving surface above the finger spacing. The thumb-receiving surface can have friction protrusion to enhance friction with the thumb. Each one of the cup pockets having a circular wall and a system of cup holding surfaces protruding inwardly from the circular wall and cooperating in holding a beverage cup to be pushed downwardly therein. At least one of the cup holding surfaces can be connected to the circular wall by a lateral wall on each side, the lateral walls having a planar section oriented roughly normal to the beverage cup during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: CASCADES CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Paul Landry
  • Patent number: 7934449
    Abstract: A food tray assembly includes a serving platter and a receptacle platter. The serving platter has a central aperture extending there through and a serving area defined between the central aperture and a perimeter thereof. The receptacle platter has a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom at a perimeter thereof. The serving platter and the receptacle platter are releasably coupled to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Edison Nation, LLC
    Inventors: Brent W. Anderson, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Russ Stanziale, Ian D. Kovacevich, Louis J. Foreman
  • Patent number: 7931879
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the automated handling of a fluid biological sample in an analytical instrument. Furthermore, the invention provides containers as well as instruments and systems suitable for the automated handling and processing of the fluid biological sample and discloses production methods for the manufacture of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro D'Amore, Siegfried Mueller
  • Patent number: 7874449
    Abstract: A thermoformed dispensing container comprises a plastic tray with a dispensing cavity having side walls that include a circular radial side wall portion with a gap, and a disc-shaped thermoformed plastic lid positioned for rotation within the circular radial side wall portion of the tray, the lid having side walls that include a door. The dispensing container can be placed in an open condition by rotating the lid to align the door of the lid with the gap of the tray, or in a closed position by moving the door of the lid away from the gap of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Plastic Ingenuity, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Studee, Robert G. LaMasney
  • Patent number: 7802693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for holding food item(s) and a beverage container(s) with one hand. Stable handling of an integral somewhat planar support (1) with one hand may be enabled by an elliptical negative space (26) where the operator inserts either thumb to comfortably rest the device with equal weight perhaps on the first metacarpal bone, the phalanges, and radius of the same hand. An integral somewhat planar support may include a containment structure (4) having a noncircular yawning void (5) which may allow for retention of a variety of beverage containers and perhaps even a pedestal mounted object. Regions (14) may be provided for the retention of food items on an integral somewhat planar support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Superior Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Brian P. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7798354
    Abstract: An eating receptacle frame that incorporates a plate and cup assembly which can accept large or small diameter cup sizes into the inserted cup hole. The receptacle plate and cup assembly also incorporates a middle finger hole for balance of the receptacle plate and cup assembly. The cup hole diameter can be increased by detaching a perforated section of the cup holder's outer hole diameter for a larger size cup and parallel dotted lines that can be cut out to enable stemmed glasses to be held. (2) A reusable frame with overlapping tongues or any supporting device that will hold a disposable plate. The molded plate cup assembly has a flexible hole reducer that will attach to the rim of the cup holder decreasing the diameter for the insertion of a smaller cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Duane B. Stowers, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7798330
    Abstract: A lockable pill container includes a holder defining at least one compartment having an access opening providing access to a pill holder interior volume. At least one lid is moveable between a covering position and an open position. The lid includes a first locking member that is sized to project into the holder when the respective lid is in the covering position. A second locking member is moveable between a locking position and a release position. The locking position includes a position in which the second locking member engages a first locking member of the at least one lid in the covering position. The release position includes a position in which the second locking member is disengaged from all of the first locking members. The second locking member includes opposite first and second ends. The second locking member is moveable from the locking position to the release position by application of a force against the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Apothecary Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance O. Noble, Robert N. Priebe
  • Patent number: 7718924
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiple-compartment insulated food tray and lid for storage and service. The insulated food trays allow for two or more stacked strays to be mechanically unified using the weight of the top tray on the bottom tray in any orientation where the weight of the second tray remains on the first tray. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a polymer with foam and blowing agents are used during the molding process to create in a first phase a hard shell in contact with the mold. In a second phase, insulation is created in the hard shell by thermal treatment and expansion of the residual polymer inserted in the mold. In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulated food trays, when stacked, can be placed in a nondiscriminatory arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Claffy
  • Patent number: 7703620
    Abstract: Chain linked capsules comprising multiple capsules interconnected in a chain by chain links. The capsules comprise a sleeve and a piston whereby a powder product can be sealed within the capsule. The capsules are for use in inhalation devices, for example for entraining a dose of an inhalable pharmaceutical powder product to a patient's respiratory tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventor: Paul Kenneth Rand
  • Publication number: 20100065561
    Abstract: A multiple chamber package is illustrated which includes two or more containers that are connected by a tear strip in which the tear strip is connected to each of the containers by a tear line. The container can be torn away from the tear strip to thereby provide a smaller package and as such may be more desirable for being carried around in one's pocket or otherwise. By connecting multiple containers together and using a tear strip, a large billboard area is also provided for marketing information to more easily convey information along about the contents of the package to the consumer. The overall package may be formed as a unit, single molded plastic component part with simple as opposed to complex molding techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: J.L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Valley, III, Gordon E. VerWeyst
  • Patent number: 7552835
    Abstract: Method of producing a multiple pack subdivided into at least two chambers separate from one another and each containing a product, characterized in that a first pack element having at least one chamber containing a first product is subjected to a first treatment process and is sealed, either previously or subsequently, and a second pack element having at least one chamber containing a second product is subjected to a second treatment process, which is different from the first, and is sealed, either previously or subsequently, and that the two pack elements are assembled into one unit to form the multiple pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: Hans-Richard Kiel, Uwe Nehus, Bernard De Turckheim
  • Publication number: 20080142515
    Abstract: A plate with a built-in cup holder, designed to be picked up, held, and set down with one hand. It has a hole that is off-center, near the edge designed to receive drinking vessels of various sizes. Surrounding the hole is a slight lip in the shape of an overturned “V,” which helps support a drinking vessel, and prevents food from pushing up against the drinking vessel. This lip is lined on its interior with bumps, ridges, or some similar raised elements, which help hold a drinking vessel in place and also prevent it from getting stuck. There are also mini-ridges along the outer surface of the cup holder lip to help prevent food from sliding into the hole, or up against a beverage vessel. Small canals are present on the flat surface of the plate which are able to help collect excess liquid from food. A person can hold the plate, with a drinking vessel, by the edge of the plate. When the plate is set down, the cup rises through the hole as the plate is set on the flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Amanda E. Phifer, Scott D. Phifer
  • Patent number: 7363936
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is my invention of a leakage catch basin and configurable storage unit, designed to be water tight and made of water resistant material. My invention further includes mans to position dividers into the larger defined spaces, thus forming an arrangement of organized storage compartments. Further, my invention is dimensioned to be of various and common sized cabinets with the illustrated preferred embodiment showing a configuration of 3 such sizes in combination. My invention allows one or all such defined spaces to be separated into independent units for subsequent installation, use and protection in separate cabinets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Logical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Simoneaux, Tom J. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7360666
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body that has a planar bottom surface, sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, and linear dividers radially protruding away from a center of the body. The dividers cooperate with the sidewalls for defining compartments for housing food stuff therein. The body has a lip vertically offset from the bottom surface. The dividers have proximal ends juxtaposed adjacent to the lip and adjoining an outer perimeter thereof. The perimeter of the lip has a threaded outer surface. A receptacle confronts a selected side wall and has a planar bottom surface and side walls protruding upwardly therefrom. The receptacle houses utensils therein such that the user can simultaneously support utensils, food stuff and a beverage on the body. A cup holder rests on the lip and is removably engageable therewith. A handle that has a frusto-conical shape is removably engageable with the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventors: Rene Primel, Shirley Sprigg, William J Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7225927
    Abstract: A cupholder for holding containers is provided with a number of container-holding cavities. Each of the container-holding cavities includes pairs of gripping flanges that extend inwardly toward centers of the cavities. The flanges include gripping points that extend toward each other and exert a gripping force along a bottom of an inserted container. The gripping flanges are pliable to accept a variety of inserted container sizes, but resilient enough to exert a container-holding force against containers inserted into the container-holding cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Pactiv Corporation
    Inventor: Richard C. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 7169602
    Abstract: A sample substrate for use in biological testing is provided having a first member defining at least one sample well and a second member including at least one sample well closure element. The at least one sample well closure element may be configured to substantially seal a corresponding sample well. Methods of filling the sample substrate are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Sandell
  • Patent number: 7000799
    Abstract: A hand held serving tray includes a slotted well for stemmed and regular glasses, and a hole adjacent for gripping the top surface with a thumb and supporting the bottom surface with finger loosely surrounding the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Roger Hamre
  • Patent number: 6929141
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises indexing means (75) arranged for indexing sheet material (1) along an advancing direction (F) through a forming station (5) in which shells (50, 50a, 50b) of containers (53, 54, 55, 56, 80) joined by undeformed parts of said sheet material (1) are obtained, a filling station (7, 7a) in which said shells are filled with product (52), a shearing station (11) in which said shells (50, 50a, 50b) are severed from said sheet material (1); a method comprises forming sheet material (1) deforming portions thereof so as to obtain shells (50, 50a, 50b) of containers, filling said shells (50, 50a, 50b) with product (52), shearing said shells (50, 50a, 50b) severing them from said sheet material (1); a container comprises a first part of container (50) and a second part of container (50) between which interposing (20) means is peelably interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Green Pack S.r.l.
    Inventor: Bianca Elena Minghetti
  • Publication number: 20040238537
    Abstract: An improved foodstuffs container configured to be readily received with a cup holder having a relatively standard size recess such as that commonly provided in armrests of many theater chairs so as to hold the container while the patron is not eating or optionally, drinking from the cup is disclosed. The container includes a walled tray structure supported by a contiguous container base sized and shaped to be supported within the standard cup holder. The walled tray structure may be configured with a planar or other shaped bottom, with or without partitions to received the desired foodstuffs either in volume or in discretely separated portions. The container base has an interior recess contiguous with the volume of the walled tray structure to receive and support additional foodstuffs readily accessed from above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Pedro Ojeda