Biasing Means Patents (Class 220/264)
  • Patent number: 8556118
    Abstract: The moving mechanism has a first stationary-side gear part and a second stationary-side gear part provided on a support body side; a movable-side gear part and a pinion gear provided on a supported part of a movable body; and a guide device positioned so that the movable-side gear part engages with the first stationary-side gear part and the pinion gear engages with the second stationary-side gear part. The first stationary-side gear part is formed along an arc of a virtual circle, and has teeth oriented toward a center side of this virtual circle; the second stationary-side gear part is provided adjacent to this first stationary-side gear part on the center side of the aforementioned virtual circle, is formed along an arc of a separate virtual circle from this virtual circle, and has teeth oriented toward a center side of this separate virtual circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8550282
    Abstract: A gravity-responsive system for securing or restraining the lid or lids of dumping containers in their on-the-ground position and releasing the lid or lids when the container is lifted to its overhead dump position includes a pivotally mounted over-center swingarm that is connected via a connecting link to a lid-restraining bail. When the dumping container is substantially in its on-the-ground position, the bail is rotated to a lid-securing or restraining position in which the lid or lids cannot be opened fully. As the dumping container is lifted toward and to is overhead dump position, the swing-arm rotates in response to gravity to move the bail toward and to a lid-release position to allow the lid or lids to swing away from their closed position to allow the dumping of the contents into the trash truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Anthony Canova Libhart, Charles Carter Patterson
  • Publication number: 20130248532
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of a trash can include a cap with a lid and an actuator. The actuator can extend outwardly from the cap at a downward angle. The actuator can be configured to maintain the lid in a closed position when a locking portion of the actuator is engaged with a securement portion of the lid. The lid can be rotationally biased toward an open position and the actuator can be configured to release the lid from the closed position upon an input of force on the actuator. The range of effective angles for the input force can enable a user of the trash can to easily open the lid by contacting the actuator with from a wide variety of angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SIMPLEHUMAN, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 8528769
    Abstract: A lift apparatus and method include, in a structure with a lid, a lift arm connected with the lid and with a lift pivot. A movement arm with a flexible connection with a first end and a second end is provided where the first end of the flexible connection is connected with the lift arm and where the second end of the flexible connection is connected with the movement arm. And an actuator is connected with the movement arm for selected movement of the arm and thus the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel J. McKenna
  • Patent number: 8439218
    Abstract: A container has a base plate, front, rear and side walls. A chamber is defined between the walls. A lid is pivotably coupled to the rear wall. A pivot bar is attached to the lid. A long extent is attached to the lid and a short extent. An actuator housing with a trolley is movable between top and bottom positions. A spring urges the trolley to the top position. A pedal coupled to the trolley is adapted to be depressed by a user to move the trolley to the bottom position. A connector has an interior end attached to the trolley. The connector has an exterior end attached to the short extent of the pivot bar. In this manner the depression the pedal will move the connector to raise the lid. Also in this manner the release of the pedal will cause the spring to lower the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald W. Watts
  • Publication number: 20130105486
    Abstract: Described is a system for controlling the operation of a trash can lid that includes a shell for receiving trash, a lid assembly that covers a portion of the shell, and an actuator assembly that independently controls the rate in which the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell. Also provided is a system for improving the operation of a trash can that includes a lid assembly for covering a portion of a shell, an actuator assembly, a base assembly, and a hydraulic component. The hydraulic component controls the rate in which a portion of the lid assembly moves with respect to the shell. The system further includes an adjustable volume of space that is formed between the base assembly and the removable liner when the removable liner is coupled to the base assembly. The adjustable volume of space can be used to store deodorizers, insecticides, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: TRAMONTINA USA, INC.
    Inventors: Mars MASHBURN, Tim TOBOLA, Trent VEAZEY
  • Patent number: 8418869
    Abstract: A receptacle having a lid which has a pair of dampers configured to slow the movement of the lid from an open position toward a closed position. The dampers are provided at opposite ends of a pedal connected to the receptacle body at opposite lateral positions relative to a side of the receptacle body. The receptacle includes an air filtration device mounted in its lid which guides air through the filter device during the downward motion of the lid. The receptacle also includes at least one damper which provides dampening forces against the motion of the lid in both opening and closing directions. The receptacle also includes an anti-sliding device which increases the receptacle's resistance to sliding across a floor when a user steps on a pedal to actuate the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 8393489
    Abstract: Waste disposal device includes a container, a lid, and a rotation mechanism that rotates a waste-containing member when present in the container. A slide mechanism enables opening movement of the lid to cause the rotation mechanism to rotate the waste-containing member or prevent the rotation mechanism from rotating the waste-containing member depending on its setting. A foot pedal assembly includes a foot pedal and a spring, and causes both opening of the lid when the foot pedal is depressed and closure of the lid when the pressing force is removed. The spring is moved against its bias upon depression of the foot pedal and returns to its original state when the pressing force is removed to cause closure of the lid and rotation of the waste-containing member. The device may be used for medical waste from hospitals, doctors' offices, home health care personnel and facilities, nursing homes, and biohazard laboratories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: David M Stravitz
  • Patent number: 8381933
    Abstract: A garbage bin includes a bin body, a bin head, an inducting window, a garbage inlet disposed on the bin head, a bin cover disposed on the garbage inlet, an upright shaft and a driving unit for making the upright shaft rotate. The upright shaft is connected to the driving unit, and the bin cover is connected to the upright shaft, in which the connecting point is not at the center of the bin cover. The advantages of the invention is that the rotating shaft of the bin cover is the upright shaft on the bin head, so when the bin cover rotates about the upright shaft, the bin cover opens horizontally about the upright shaft, so that the driving force is small, the energy consumption is low, and a user's hand is prevented from touching by the bin cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Xin Wang, Jiangqun Chen
  • Patent number: 8376162
    Abstract: A water stop structure is mounted to a water jar. A main body includes a depression bar device, a resiliency device, and a water stop member. The depression bar device includes a movable depression bar that is releasably connectable to a hanger formed on the main body. The resiliency device includes a rod that maintains the depression bar in position with a first resilient element. A second resilient element maintains the rod in position to have the water stop member blocking a water passage of the main body. When the depression bar is depressed to travel through a first stroke, the depression bar disengages from the hanger to form an opening therebetween for easy hanging and use of the water jar. When the depression bar travels through a second stroke, the rod drives the water stop member away from the water passage to allow a user to drink water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Trim Supply Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 8372328
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening sealed packaging, including three parts, a pouring nozzle having a flange, a cylindrical cutting element and a screwcap. According to this invention, all three parts of the apparatus are produced in one piece as a semi-finished product. The teeth of the cutting element protrude into the pouring nozzle, while the screwcap is held on the flat edge of the cutting element. The three parts are connected to one another via predetermined breaking point bridges. This invention reduces the production costs and simplifies the assembly and the systems which are required for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Deltona Innovations AG
    Inventor: Werner Fritz Dubach
  • Patent number: 8360258
    Abstract: A beverage container closure or lid that is adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is selectively couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be selectively opened by a user by the user pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the user releases the button. Thus, a user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Sean Gilbert, Randy Sims
  • Patent number: 8356724
    Abstract: An expansion tank (28) comprising a passage (34) with a an inlet aperture (34a) for liquid replenishment of the expansion tank (28), a cover (32) which in a non-fitted state leaves the passage (34) clear and in a fitted state closes the passage (34), and a first expansion chamber (29) for receiving liquid which circulates in a first system (A). The expansion tank (28) includes a second expansion chamber (30) for receiving liquid which circulates in a second system (B) and said passage (34) divides, at a distance from the inlet aperture (34a), into a first branch (34b) which leads liquid to the first expansion chamber (29) and a second branch (34c) which leads liquid to the second expansion chamber (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Zoltan Kardos, Erik Söderberg
  • Patent number: 8355646
    Abstract: Disclosed is an operations-unit angle adjusting device having an operations unit supported so as to freely move in a vertical direction and an adjusting mechanism that changes the vertical angle of the operations unit. The adjusting mechanism has a shaft part that supports the operations unit so as to freely move in the vertical direction, an operating lever that is supported so as to freely move in the vertical direction, and an opening/closing piece that operates simultaneously with vertical movements of the operating lever to perform an opening/closing operation. The opening/closing piece has an engaging part that is engaged with an engaged part provided in the apparatus main body to restrict vertical movements of the operations unit when the opening/closing piece is closed and that is disengaged from the engaged part to allow the vertical movements of the operations unit when the opening/closing piece is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Nishizawa
  • Publication number: 20120325815
    Abstract: A drinking vessel and lid assembly that is adapted for selectively opening an open end of the drinking vessel. The lid is selectively couplable to the drinking vessel and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the drinking vessel and the environment. The stopper may be selectively opened by a user by the user pressing a button disposed on a side of the drinking vessel at a location where a user normally grasps the drinking vessel. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the user releases the button. Thus, a user may open and close the stopper using a single hand operation without the need to remove the lid from the drinking vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Tyler Sean Gilbert, Randy Sims
  • Patent number: 8333293
    Abstract: A waste disposal device comprises a container having a top opening. The container provides access to an inner cavity that receives a bag with opened and closed ends. A pivoting lid closes/opens access to the opening. An actuation mechanism has a user-actuated interface. A linkage connected to the interface opens/closes the lid. A pair of jaws is connected to the linkage. The jaws move between a clamped position, in which the jaws close off a portion of the bag, and an opened position, in which the jaws are separated to allow waste to reach the closed end. The jaws and the lid are actuated concurrently by a single degree of actuation on the interface, allowing the lid to open and close while the jaws move from the clamped to the opened position, and back to the clamped position. A method for disposal of a waste object is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: International Refills Company Limited
    Inventor: Michel Morand
  • Patent number: 8308009
    Abstract: A pedal bin having a housing in which a waste container can be accommodated, a lid mounted at the top of the housing by a pivot pin, which lid has a lever that extends on the side of the pivot pin facing away from the lid and at this location has a sliding construction that allows a sliding movement between a relatively low position and a relatively high position in a plane transverse to the pivot pin, a movable pedal provided at the bottom of the housing as well as an operating member interacting with the sliding construction of the lid and the pedal for pivoting the lid, by depressing the pedal, between a closed position and a first open position defined by a first pivot angle with respect to the closed position, the sliding construction and the operating member being in the relatively low position and the operating member being subjected to tensile force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Brabantia Nederlands B.V.
    Inventor: Josephus Arnoldus Joordens
  • Patent number: 8302799
    Abstract: A container for installation in a vehicle has a housing and a lid mounted pivotably on the housing and connected operatively via a gear to a spring device prestressing the lid in an opening direction and supported on the housing. A cardiod control moves and locks the lid. It is in this case important that the cardiod of the cardiod control is disposed continuously on an outer circumference of a shaft having the spring device and co-operates with a movable pin arranged on the housing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Martin Kayser
  • Patent number: 8292113
    Abstract: A push-up device for a fuel lid includes a holder adapted to be attached to a panel under the fuel lid, a cylindrical sleeve disposed in the holder and having a plurality of elongated grooves and a plurality of short grooves alternately arranged in a vertical direction at equal intervals in an inner surface thereof, a spring member disposed in the holder, a push rod disposed in the holder to protrude outwardly from the holder and engaging the spring member, and a cam disposed between the push rod and the cylindrical sleeve. When a depressing force is applied to the push rod in a fuel lid closing state, the cam located in the shoot grooves is moved to the elongated grooves, and when the depressing force is applied to the push rod, the cam located in the elongated grooves is moved to the short grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakaya
  • Patent number: 8245865
    Abstract: A container includes a bottom and a plurality of walls that form a storage cavity. A primary lid is disposed over the storage cavity. The primary lid includes a top surface that defines a dispenser portion through which items within the storage cavity may be dispensed. A dispenser lid is pivotally attached to the primary lid. The dispenser lid has a closed position in which the dispenser lid is pivoted downwards relative to the primary lid to cover the dispenser portion and an open position in which the dispenser lid is pivoted upwards relative to the primary lid to expose the dispenser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nutek Disposables, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Damaghi, William M. Child, Dan Allen Murray
  • Patent number: 8240499
    Abstract: A trashcan has a hydraulic drop-deceleration mechanism including a can body, a lid, and a connection pole for push-open connection. The lid is connected to the connection pole at a top connection pole end. The connection pole is connected to the foot pedal via a lever at a bottom connection pole end. A hydraulic mechanism is for drop-deceleration. The hydraulic mechanism is connected to the connection pole by a connector. The hydraulic mechanism has a chamber filled with hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic mechanism has a gliding rod moving within the chamber. The gliding rod forms a tip at a gliding rod lower end. The mechanism has upper and lower fluid storage chambers. A piston is slidingly mounted in the hydraulic mechanism is biased in a lid open position by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Huanbang Lu
  • Patent number: 8235237
    Abstract: Waste disposal device that receives a waste-containing member includes a container defining a waste-receiving compartment having an opening, a lid having a closed position covering the opening and an open position in which the opening is exposed, and a rotation mechanism arranged in the container to rotate the waste-containing member when present. The rotation mechanism is arranged to rotate the waste-containing member upon closure of the lid without manual handling of the lid. A foot pedal assembly includes a depressible foot pedal and a spring, and is arranged to cause both opening of the lid when the foot pedal is depressed and closure of the lid when the pressing force is removed. The spring is moved against its bias upon depression of the foot pedal and returns to its original state when the pressing force is removed to thereby cause closure of the lid and rotation of the waste-containing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: David M Stravitz
  • Patent number: 8201704
    Abstract: A container system is provided with a container having a door mounted for pivotal reciprocation about a door pivot axis between opened and closed positions. The container system also has a carrier with a body receiving the container and an arm coupled to the body for pivotal reciprocation about an arm pivot axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the door pivot axis. The arm engages the door of the container, and the pivotal reciprocation of the arm reciprocates the door of the container between the opened and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Finnestad, John Japuntich, Robert Joseph Panek, Jr., Anton M. Smudde
  • Patent number: 8186539
    Abstract: A cover device for a trash bin includes a base member, which has a first end and a second end. A compartment is formed at the first end and an opening is defined between the first and second ends of the base member through which trash can be thrown into the trash bin. A cover member includes a cover portion and a connected element. At least one elastic device includes an elastic element having a first end provided at the compartment and a second end coupled to the connected element. The cover member can be rotated between a first position and a second position. While in the second position of the cover member, the elastic element is released to lift the cover member upward, with the cover portion being completely exposed from the base member outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Tsong-Yow Lin
  • Patent number: 8177091
    Abstract: A container is disclosed. A lid is affixed to a base at a hinged connection. The base includes an enclosure, and the lid includes a catch, the catch being opposite the enclosure. A latch assembly is disposed within the enclosure and includes a button within an opening in the enclosure, a latch, and at least one spring member. The latch extends from the button into sliding relationship with an actuating member, which is configured to actuate the latch when the button is depressed. When the lid is in a closed position, the latch engages the catch. The spring member extends away from the button into sliding relationship with the base. When the button is depressed, the latch disengages the catch, and the spring member resiliently flexes as the end of the spring member slides along a portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Thomas S. Kearney, II
  • Patent number: 8172105
    Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing pills is provided. The container has a housing with an upper end and a lower end and a plurality of compartments therein. The compartments have an open end adjacent the upper end of the housing and a lower end adjacent the lower end of the housing. The lower end of each compartment has an opening with a hinged door covering the opening. A cam having a cam surface is attached to the door so the cam rotates as the door opens and closes. A cam follower pin abuts the cam surface and the cam follower pin is constrained to move along a predefined path. The doors can be opened manually one at a time or all together by pushing downward on a centrally located handle at the top of the container. When opening all the door simultaneously the handle can be retained in the door open position by sliding two flanges beneath the handle into a slot and rotating the handle left or right. The housing is mounted to a rotatable lazy-Susan base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: William G. Smith
  • Patent number: 8157159
    Abstract: The flipping trash can is adapted especially for use in fast-food restaurants or the like. The trash can includes a pedal-operated, spring-biased lid. When the lid is opened, a tray (with trash thereon) is positioned on a tray receiving mechanism that flips the tray so that trash thereon is deposited in a trash bin. The mechanism is designed to then move the empty tray to a storage area for retrieval and reuse. A sound-emitting, electronic device may be attached to the lid and is programmed to emit the phrase “Thank You” when the lid opens. The receptacle can be designed in different configurations (animals, spaceships, autos, etc) to attract attention and enhance aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Sara A-Abdulrahman Al-Hadhoud, Reem Abdullah Al-Oufan, Hessa Saeed Al-Ajeel, Mona Ahmed, Rehab Al-Naki
  • Patent number: 8136688
    Abstract: A trash can assembly is provided having an outer shell and a lid pivotally coupled to the shell for movement between an open position and a closed position. A foot pedal is operatively coupled to the lid such that pressing down on the pedal caused the lid to open. A fluid damper is mounted to dampen the downward movement of a lid. The damper engages a support surface operatively coupled to the lid such that the support surface moves in conjunction with movement of the lid as the lid moves between the open position and the closed position, and yet the fluid damper is unsecured to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Test Rite Products Corp.
    Inventors: Judy Lee, Tony Ho
  • Patent number: 8132872
    Abstract: A waste receptacle has an outer cabinet housing and a waste or trash bag support frame that can be moved from a position where it is at least partially within the cabinet, to a position where the support frame is extended sufficiently so it can be rotated about an upright axis to provide access to a bag held on the support frame. The support frame has an open ring on which a waste bag can be placed. The ring is spaced upwardly from the bottom of the bag support frame so that when the waste bag is full, it can be detached from the ring and dropped down for removal, rather than being lifted up through a container opening or support. The waste receptacle can have a cover that can be actuated to move from a closed position overlying the bag support frame to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Troy Prosa
  • Publication number: 20120048858
    Abstract: A lid structure for use with a container for storing personal care products is disclosed. The lid structure includes a lid-activation button that when pressed allows the lid top to rotate about the lid base giving a consumer access to the contents of the container. Additionally, the lid-activation button functions so that the lid top is released independent of where the lid-activation button is pressed by the consumer. To create better and more consistent opening of the lid top portion, an inner longitudinal edge of the lid-activation button may be attached to the lid bottom via a living hinge that is formed integrally with the lid base. A strengthening rib is attached to the living hinge that keeps the main body side of the living hinge immobile and encourages the button side of the living hinge to flex when the lid-activation button is depressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy James Peters, Ryan Leslie Fulscher, Robert Samuel Schlaupitz, Kieron H. Tse, James Wolford, Tyson Manullang
  • Publication number: 20120037637
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to devices, systems and methods for storing and dispensing of a trash bag from the side and/or top of a trash dispenser. More specifically, the devices, systems, and methods disclose trash dispenser that can include at least one sidewall extending vertically from a base, a first opening that can be substantially blocked by a lid, and a second opening that can be substantially blocked by a gate. The first opening can be located at the top of trash dispenser and can be for receiving and/or removing rubbish and/or trash bags. The second opening can be located on at least one sidewall of the second opening and can be for removing and/or receiving trash bags. Further, by displacing the lid and gate, substantially un-blocking the first opening and second opening, trash bags can be laterally removed from the trash dispenser and/or can be removed without being required to be lifted solely vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Beyda, David Beyda
  • Patent number: 8087532
    Abstract: A waste container includes a top chamber, a base chamber, upper and lower lids, and a drive mechanism mechanically coupling the lower lid with the upper lid. The upper lid is disposed on the top chamber and moves between a closed position covering a first opening and an open position exposing the first opening. The lower lid is disposed on the base chamber and moves between a closed position covering a second opening and an open position exposing the second opening. The drive mechanism is actuated so as to move the lower lid to the open position when the upper lid moves to the closed position from the open position. The lower lid returns to the closed position when the upper lid is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Brown Newman, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jolie Brown, Eric F. Cabahug, Benjamin F. Feldman, Rachel Katherine Newman
  • Patent number: 8061554
    Abstract: A garbage bin in which, when the opening of a container in which garbage is placed is closed by a lid, odor emanating from the garbage does not leak to the outside from a gap between the container and the lid. The garbage bin includes an outer container, an inner container placed inside the outer container and in which garbage is placed, an openable/closable outer lid pivotally attached to the outer container and closing the opening of the outer container, and an inner lid attached to the lower surface of the outer lid and moving together with the outer lid. The lower surface of the inner lid is in intimate contact with the upper end of the inner container when the opening of the outer container is closed by the outer lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Add Field Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Shikano
  • Publication number: 20110280694
    Abstract: The flipping trash can is adapted especially for use in fast-food restaurants or the like. The trash can includes a pedal-operated, spring-biased lid. When the lid is opened, a tray (with trash thereon) is positioned on a tray receiving mechanism that flips the tray so that trash thereon is deposited in a trash bin. The mechanism is designed to then move the empty tray to a storage area for retrieval and reuse. A sound-emitting, electronic device may be attached to the lid and is programmed to emit the phrase “Thank You” when the lid opens. The receptacle can be designed in different configurations (animals, spaceships, autos, etc) to attract attention and enhance aesthetics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: SARA A-ABDULRAHMAN AL-HADHOUD, Reem Abdullah Al-Oufan, Hessa Saeed Al-Ajeel, Mona Ahmed, Rehab Al-Naki
  • Patent number: 8056759
    Abstract: The bird carcass container includes a closed container body adapted to be mounted to a sidewall of a facility. A tubular extension or inlet extends from a side of the container body to the interior of the facility. The inlet includes an access door accessible from the facility interior so that users may deposit dead carcasses into the container body. A trap door is disposed on the bottom of the container body and selectively opened by a bracket actuator attached to the trap door. The door is maintained in a closed position by a system of counterweights. The bracket actuator is operated on by the bucket of a skid steer to open the trap door. The interior of the container includes sloping sides forming a chute towards the bottom of the container body. The rear side of the container may also include an access door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Randy Spence
  • Patent number: 7992707
    Abstract: A storage unit is disclosed comprising a container disposed within a housing, the container having a cavity with an opening at the upper end for receiving an item. A cover comprises two or more rounded cover sections pivotally mounted between the container and the housing for movement between an open position and a closed position, the cover sections being biased toward the open position. Vertical downward movement of the container toward the bottom wall of the housing causes the cover sections to overcome the bias and rotate to the closed position. When rotating to the open position, the cover sections recede into a receiving space between the housing and container, thereby exposing the cavity, such that the outer form factor of the storage unit is no larger in the open position than in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Town & Country Linen Corp,
    Inventor: Lou Henry
  • Patent number: 7963414
    Abstract: Waste disposal device adapted to receive a waste-containing member includes a container defining a waste-receiving compartment having an opening, a lid connected to the container and lid having a first, closed position covering the opening of the container and a second, open position in which the opening is exposed, and a rotation mechanism arranged in the container to rotate the waste-containing member when present in the container. The rotation mechanism is arranged to rotate the waste-containing member upon closure of the lid without manual handling of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: David M. Stravitz
  • Patent number: 7922024
    Abstract: A receptacle having a lid or door can be provided with a damper configured to slow the movement of the lid or door from the open position to its closed position. As such, the lid closes in a more aesthetically pleasing manner, for example, closing slowly enough so that it does not create an excessively loud noise when it closes. Additionally, the damper can be mounted to the base of the receptacle, thereby more securely mounting the damper within the receptacle. Additionally, the damper can be arranged to allow a liner within the receptacle to be held in an elevated position for simplifying a process of inserting or removing a trash bag into the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor
  • Publication number: 20110056942
    Abstract: A waste disposal apparatus includes a lid lock mechanism for locking a lid and an upper part of a waste accommodating main body together in a coupled state, and a main body lock mechanism for locking the upper part and a lower part of the waste accommodating main body together in a coupled state. The waste disposal apparatus further includes a lid unlock mechanism in which a direction of an operation of unlocking the lid lock mechanism is different from that of an operation of opening the lid, and a main body unlock mechanism in which a direction of an operation of unlocking the main body lock mechanism is different from that of an operation of opening the upper part of the waste accommodating main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Aprica Children's Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ichiro Ohnishi, Hiroshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7896187
    Abstract: A pressure retaining closure assembly has a door hingedly mounted to a pipe, vessel, or hub extending therefrom with an arcuate locking ring movably retained proximate an outer perimeter surface thereof. The locking ring is suitable to contract out of a groove in an opening in the pipe, vessel, or hub extending therefrom into an unlocking position and is suitable to expand wherein an outer portion of the locking ring extends into the groove in the opening in the pipe, vessel, or hub extending therefrom into a locking orientation. A locking ring actuator is provided having cylinder with a piston therein. The piston has a rod extending axially therefrom with a portion extending beyond the cylinder. Optionally, a bracket is mounted to the portion of the piston rod extending beyond the cylinder and a bracket is mounted proximate the bottom of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sypris Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Haibel
  • Patent number: 7870862
    Abstract: A vanity case in which a lid is coupled to part of peripheral walls of its case body pivotably and a slide piece is slidably mounted in the case body such that when the slide piece is at a first position, the lid is closed against the case body and that when the slide piece has moved from the first position to a second position, the lid is open relative to the case body. Formed through adjacent part of a bottom wall of the case body to one of the peripheral walls is a slit extending along the peripheral wall such that the peripheral wall adjacent to the slit bends inwards when an inward external force is exerted on the peripheral wall, and the deformation of the peripheral wall acts as an external force on the slide piece to make the slide piece move to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Yoshida Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukitomo Yuhara, Yuzo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7870984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for holding objects, preferably a telephone, in particular for use in a center arm rest and/or the center console of a vehicle, with a frame or receptacle and a reversibly closable lid which is mounted so that it may be swiveled in each case about one of the rotary axes arranged in the region of the upper closing edges of the side walls of the frame or container and lying essentially parallel to the closing edges. The lid has an opening and closing mechanism which is arranged in a function carrier frame that may be connected to the lid. In addition, the invention relates to a method for the production of a device for holding objects, in particular for use in a center arm rest and/or the center console of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Perl, Georg Sigl
  • Patent number: 7850751
    Abstract: Disclosed is a two or three phase separator including a centrifugal separator, a demister (if a three phase separator), and a filter contained within a housing. The filter uses an outside-in flow principle. The filter includes an inner layer or a center core that defines a hollow interior. An outer layer is positioned adjacent and surrounding the inner layer. The outer layer includes a re-enforcement layer, a first particle filter layer, a coalescer layer, and a second particle filter layer. An access cover of the separator includes a cover plug, an actuator cam, a plurality of idler cam plates, and a plurality of mechanisms. The access cover cooperates with an opening and an annular groove in the housing to close off and seal the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: TM Industrial Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl A. Steiner
  • Patent number: 7832587
    Abstract: A pedal bin includes a container, a pedal and a pivotably mounted flap. The flap is locatable in a first position to facilitate opening of the flap in a first direction relative to the container. The flap is also locatable in a second position to facilitate opening of the flap in a second direction relative to the container. In either position, the pedal is operable to open the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kennedy Hygiene Products, Ltd
    Inventor: Gavin Lloyd West
  • Patent number: 7806285
    Abstract: A trash can assembly has a lid pivotably coupled to an upper end of an outer shell, and a pivoting pedal bar that is coupled to the lid via a link rod. The closing motion of the lid is dampened by counter-balancing the closing force of the lid, which can be accomplished by generating a counter-balance force against the pedal bar that is equal to or slightly less than the closing force of the lid. The counter-balance force can be made to vary during the closing motion of the lid. In addition, the entire link rod can be positioned inside the interior of the outer shell, and the pivot axis of the lid about the outer shell can also positioned inside the interior of the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 7703623
    Abstract: A lid device driving an opening operation of a lid body by an urging member such as a coil spring and capable of opening the lid body securely. Of a guide portion for guiding an engaging end of the urging member of the lid device, a first guide portion for guiding the engaging end in moving the lid body from a closed position to an open position is provided with an initial guide portion and a later guide portion so that the urging member releases a large urging force when the engaging end is guided by the initial guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Katagiri, Masaki Ohmiya
  • Patent number: 7665625
    Abstract: A molded container and closure latch mechanism include a top portion and bottom portion which are connected by a hinge which biases the top away from the bottom unless the latch mechanism is engaged. The latch mechanism is pivotally connected to the top. It engages a molded contoured segment on the bottom to secure the container in a closed position. Anomalies on the top surface of the latch mechanism provide a convenience to the user in locating pressure points for opening and closing the container. A separator can be used internal to the container to create two separate compartments. In one adaptation the interior surface can include raised protrusions which permit contents such as a soap bar to be raised off from the surface. Other modifications too the interior can be effected to accommodate a wide variety of products. The containers can be provided in a grouping with relative dimensions suitable to store a wide variety of personal effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: James L. Rothstein, Robert Z. Rothstein, Daniel J. Lewis, William A. Jaremko
  • Patent number: 7625197
    Abstract: A preferred process for degassing a mold piece includes inserting the mold piece into an internal volume within a canister, sealing the internal volume, drawing a vacuum in the internal volume, and introducing into the internal volume a gaseous fluid suitable for degassing the mold piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Donnie J. Duis, Stephen R. Beaton, David C. Byram, Gregory Scott Duncan
  • Patent number: 7621420
    Abstract: In a container with a lid including a container main body, an upper lid attached to the container main body so as to open and close a take-out port of the container main body, a plate spring for urging the upper lid in an opening direction, and a push button that can be operated between a close position, at which it is meshed with the upper lid and keeps the upper lid in a closed state against the plate spring, and an open position, at which the push button is released from the upper lid meshed therewith, a locking member is attached to the push button, the locking member being movable between a locking position, at which the locking member is meshed with the lid that is in the closed state as well as is abutted against the locking surface of the container main body as to the operating direction of the push button to thereby make it impossible for the push button to be operated to the open position, and a release position, at which the locking member is separated from the upper lid and from the locking surfac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignees: Uni-Charm Corporation, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Bandoh, Daisuke Miyake, Masaho Hayashi, Norikazu Shinogi, Toshihiko Uenishi
  • Patent number: 7621419
    Abstract: A door operating mechanism is provided for rotatably switching a door relative to a base between a closed position and an open position. A sector gear is disposed in a support arm projected from the door. A rotary gear is disposed substantially in the center of the arc of the sector gear. A first gear of the base has internal teeth disposed to engage the sector gear. A second gear of the base is resiliently and displaceably disposed to engage the rotary gear. The door is rotatably disposed along a track corresponding to the first gear via engagements between the first gear and the sector gear, and engagements between the second gear and the rotary gear. A load received by the door in the closed position towards the bottom of the base is absorbed by resilient displacement of the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Michihiro Fukuo