Resiliently Biased (e.g., Detent) Patents (Class 220/345.3)
  • Patent number: 11944173
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a disposable takeout food container, comprising a first sleeve cover, and a second sleeve cover. The first sleeve cover and the second sleeve cover when oriented perpendicular to a tray and engaged with the tray, support the tray at an elevated position, functioning as serving tray stands to form a stable table-tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventors: Karren Antonyan, David Movsisian
  • Patent number: 11932471
    Abstract: A dispensing container is provided, the container including an outer shell comprising a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and two ends, at least one end being open; an inner tray, slidably received within the outer shell, comprising at least one storage compartment adapted for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, and comprising at least one depressible detent, the detent comprising a raised surface that abuts the outer shell; wherein, in a closed configuration, the detent holds the inner tray within the outer shell, and wherein the at least one detent may be depressed by pressure to allow the inner tray to slide relative to the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Ryan Bailey, John Anthony Gelardi
  • Patent number: 11820567
    Abstract: The invention of the present disclosure may be a pressure sensitive locking mechanism comprising a first tine, a second tine, and a third tine. The locking mechanism may further comprise a tab disposed on the second tine, where the tab may be orthogonal to the second tine. In an embodiment, the second tine is configurable in a locked state and an unlocked state, where the second tine comprises a second tine bell disposed on the lower portion of the second tine, and where the second tine bell is tapered from the tab to an upper portion of the second tine. The tab may be configured to receive a pressure, application of the pressure may be configured to convert the second tine from the locked state to the unlocked state, and withdrawal of the pressure may be configured to convert the second tine from the unlocked state to the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Edward Ubell, Harry Kubetz
  • Patent number: 11787603
    Abstract: Novel lockable safety closures and containers comprising the closures are described herein. The containers and closures are useful for dispensing valuable, dangerous, or potentially dangerous goods, and are easy for adults (including the elderly or frail) to open, but difficult for children to open. The closures include a displaceable slider covering a main opening for accessing the interior of a container. The slide includes one or more depressible tabs that keep to slider in a closed, and which can be opening by depressing the tab (or tabs) and urging the slider to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: RB INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary (Rocky) Batzel, Daniel A. Batzel
  • Patent number: 11760544
    Abstract: A lid assembly for an associated beverage container includes a lid including a lid body having a sidewall for engaging an opening of the associated container and a top wall. The top wall includes an elongated recessed portion formed therein, and a drink opening is located in the recessed portion adjacent the sidewall. A slider is removably received in the recessed portion. The slider is movable along a length direction of the recessed portion between a closed position for closing the drink opening and an open position for opening the drink opening. The lid and the slider have a cooperating detent arrangement configured to maintain the slider in the closed position or the open position, and the slider is configured to compress via the detent arrangement as the slider is moved between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Conor McNamara, Fenton Lane Stith, James David Sareault, Conan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11524824
    Abstract: A child resistant container having a three-point activator system is provided. The container comprises a tray, a carton or other enclosure and a plurality of buttons that must be simultaneously depressed or otherwise activated to remove the tray out of the carton. The buttons are positioned so as to require an adult hand to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Timothy Lynn
  • Patent number: 11505381
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for resealable packaging, to improve the accessibility of medications. Embodiments relate to systems and methods for resealable packaging with a bottom element with one or more storage areas, and a top element of a corresponding size to the bottom element. The top element couples to the bottom element and has apertures to expose the storage areas of the bottom element. The top element has a sliding middle section movable between a sealed closed position to cover the apertures and an open position to uncover to expose the one or more storage areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3D Bridge Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Mousseau, Samuel Thomas MacKenzie, Karima Bawa
  • Patent number: 11299008
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid line system (10) for guiding fluid, in particular for a motor vehicle. The fluid line system (10) comprises a sensor device (20) for capturing sensor parameters and a housing (30), which has two or more housing parts (40, 60). Each housing part (40, 60) has a mounting surface area (50, 70) for arranging a further housing part (40, 60). The housing (30) further has a groove arrangement (80), which comprises at least one groove recess (90), which is arranged on a mounting surface area (50, 70), wherein a groove recess (90) has a groove opening (95), which opens out to the respective mounting surface area (50, 70). In any case, the groove opening (95) is closed by in a fluid-tight manner means of the mounting surface area (50, 70) of at least one further housing part (40, 60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Eberle, Florian Klein, Anja Reiter, Oliver Schultze, Walter Wolf
  • Patent number: 10562682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure assembly (1) for a container (2) and a container thereof. The invention more particularly relates to a closure assembly which provides leak tight closure for liquid or viscous products and can be simply opened or closed by minimal effort and additionally can be inverted to stably rest on a horizontal surface to act as a tottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: CONOPCO, INC.
    Inventors: Jun Chen, Nurani Dharmaraj Krishnaprakash Iyer, Peter Erich Pargen
  • Patent number: 10463073
    Abstract: A sliding cover-opening device includes a top support, a sliding-resistant device, and a rotatable cover opening device. The rotatable cover opening device further includes a rotatable pushing cover and a rotating torsional spring. According to the sliding cover-opening device, the rotatable pushing cover can automatically rotate to 90 degrees to open completely after sliding over a certain distance. Also, with the sliding-resistant device, users can experience a sliding feeling by hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: CHINA TOBACCO YUNNAN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jianguo Tang, Xudong Zheng, Xu Zeng, Ru Wang, Chengya Wang, Shanzhai Shang, Ping Lei, Jingmei Han, Zhiqiang Li, Dalin Yuan, Changshan Zhao, Shiwei Li, Yongkuan Chen, Hongyong Luo, Fengren Fang
  • Patent number: 10112749
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure assembly (1) for a container (2) and a container thereof. The invention more particularly relates to a closure assembly which provides leak tight closure for liquid or viscous products and can be simply opened or closed with minimal effort and additionally can be inverted to stably rest on a horizontal surface to act as a tottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Nurani Dharmaraj Krishnaprakash Iyer, Wei Dong, Garen Kouyoumjian, Andrew Gordon Wallace, Sophie Louise Sladen
  • Patent number: 9833696
    Abstract: A lockable wagering chip container is disclosed which includes a case, a drawer, and a lock mechanism. The case includes a case top, a case bottom, two case sides, and two case ends. The case top includes a through-hole and at least one of the two case ends is open. The drawer includes a drawer top, a drawer bottom, two drawer sides, and two drawer ends. The drawer bottom, two drawer sides, and two drawer ends partially enclose a drawer interior configured to hold a plurality of chips; the drawer top is open. At least one of the drawer ends includes a chip slot configured to accept a chip inserted when the drawer is in a closed position. The lock mechanism is positioned within the case and configured to secure the drawer in the closed position until the lock mechanism is released by a key inserted into the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: CHIP LOCKER LLC
    Inventor: Eric Brown
  • Patent number: 9351597
    Abstract: A lid for a beverage container includes: a cap main body that adheres to an upper aperture part of a beverage container main body and includes a liquid through-hole, and a sliding cap that is installed on the cap main body in a detachable manner by engaging in a sliding manner, and that opens and closes the liquid through-hole by sliding, an elastic clicking part is provided on side surfaces of the sliding cap, clicking reception parts are formed in the cap main body, and the sliding cap is held by the cap main body when the elastic clicking part engages with the clicking reception parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Thermos L.L.C.
    Inventors: Zhenjun Liu, Shin Matsuyama
  • Publication number: 20150060477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container with a lid and more particularly to improvements in providing a durable leak-resistance sealing means between the container and lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Ceylan Barbaros
  • Publication number: 20150053683
    Abstract: A closure assembly for sealing a container lid and base is disclosed. The closure assembly includes a male member and a female member that are coupled to a container lid and base, respectively. The female member includes an alignment feature and a gasket channel with a gasket in the gasket channel. The male member includes a corresponding alignment feature and a gasket sealing feature that protrudes into the gasket channel and forms a seal with the gasket when the closure assembly is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Becklin Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis S. Becklin, Dean Weathers, Adrian P. Tayne
  • Patent number: 8931657
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical container including a bottle having a bottom wall and side walls. A ridge proximate to the bottom wall projects from an interior surface of at least one of the side walls, to facilitate nested stacking of a plurality of bottles. One or more of the side walls includes a cover locking receptacle proximate to the top end of the side wall. The pharmaceutical container also includes a cover including a sliding lid contained in a cover housing. The cover housing has a top wall, which includes an opening, and cover side walls. A child-resistant closure mechanism is also provided to limit the movement between the sliding lid and the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Pioneer Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Volker Kientzle, Nathan T. King
  • Publication number: 20140374423
    Abstract: A container includes a base portion made primarily of paper and a lid portion comprising plastic or other suitable material. The base portion includes a primary rim extending radially outward at, or proximate to, an opening to the interior storage region of the base portion, and circumscribing the opening. A plastic secondary rim is fixedly joined to a surface of the primary rim such that when the lid portion is removably received to the base portion, so as to close the opening, a peripheral sealing portion of the lid portion sealingly engages the plastic secondary rim, in pressed conformance therewith, making a plastic-against-plastic seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Shuang Chieh Kui
  • Publication number: 20140263304
    Abstract: The present invention provides a recyclable composite container. The recyclable composite container comprises a cardboard hollow body having an open end defining an opening. The body is formed by a sidewall having an inwardly rolled rim at the open end. The container also comprises a framing element which is removably connectable to the open end of the cardboard hollow body. The framing element has a peripheral portion and a hook-shaped connector linked to this peripheral portion. The connector is for engaging with the inwardly rolled rim of the cardboard hollow body. Such construction thereby allows connection of the framing element to the cardboard hollow body by hooking the connector to the rim of the cardboard hollow body, and disconnection of the framing element from the cardboard hollow body by pulling the framing element so as to disengage the connector from the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Guertin
  • Patent number: 8678185
    Abstract: A tool box contains a body including a receiving area formed therein and a stop area, the body also including two slots defined on two opposite sides thereof, and each slot having a cutout defined on a top end thereof and communicating therewith; a cover including two retaining portions arranged on one end thereof and sliding in the two slots, and each retaining portion having a locking recess defined on a bottom end thereof, the cover also including two projections mounted on two inner surfaces thereof; a stopping unit secured in the stop area of the body and moving between an engaging position and a releasing position of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Yi-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 8616376
    Abstract: A container of opening a container is provided. The container includes an outer shell slidably carrying a dispensing cartridge between open and closed states. A cooperating catch arrangement is operably interposed between the outer shell and the dispensing cartridge. The cooperating catch arrangement has a locked state that fixes the dispensing cartridge in the closed state relative to the outer shell and an unlocked state in which the dispensing cartridge is permitted to slide relative to the outer shell from the closed state to the open state. The cooperating catch arrangement is operable to be transitioned from the locked state to the unlocked state by resiliently reducing a width of the outer shell along a compression axis which resiliently expands a thickness of the outer shell along an expansion axis to disengage cooperating catch arrangement. A method of opening includes compressing the outer shell to disengage the cooperating catch arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: J. L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward P. Cronin
  • Publication number: 20130320018
    Abstract: An improved container lid comprising an integral lid retaining channel which is configured to accept and be press fit onto the circumferential rim of a container, such as, for instance, a coffee cup is disclosed in preferred and various alternate embodiments. The improved container lid of the invention may comprise any material suitable for container lids such as paper, waxed paper, plastic, or other materials known in the art. The improved container lid of the invention is adapted to be retained upon, for example, a lip of a beverage container while the beverage container is in use. Thus, the improved container lid of the invention prevents accidental loss of the container lid and may be used in an open or closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: William Crosby, Susan Klinsport
  • Publication number: 20130320017
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical container including a bottle having a bottom wall and side walls. A ridge proximate to the bottom wall projects from an interior surface of at least one of the side walls, to facilitate nested stacking of a plurality of bottles. One or more of the side walls includes a cover locking receptacle proximate to the top end of the side wall. The pharmaceutical container also includes a cover including a sliding lid contained in a cover housing. The cover housing has a top wall, which includes an opening, and cover side walls. A child-resistant closure mechanism is also provided to limit the movement between the sliding lid and the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: PIONEER PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Volker KIENTZLE, Nathan T. KING
  • Publication number: 20130214004
    Abstract: A child resistant cap with a U-channel safety component includes an inner and an outer member. The inner member has sidewalls with two horizontal tracks, being an upper and a lower track. There in a top horizontal flange with breaks to permit movement of outer member inwardly projecting lugs therethrough, and a central horizontal flange with breaks to permit movement of inwardly projecting lugs from the lower track upwardly past the central horizontal break, past the upper track, and through the breaks of the upper track top horizontal flange. There are vertical stops that prevent the lugs from entering the break when in the upper track, and one stop adjacent one break on the lower track to permit lugs to enter the break when in the lower track. A user rotates the outer member to a position for movement to the lower track, rotates to a stop, and lists to open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Stuart W. Dejonge
  • Patent number: 8453836
    Abstract: A mobile device protective case (10) includes a frame (20) and a slidable shutter (30) mounted on the frame (20) to function as a slidable component. After a mobile device (50) has been inserted into the frame (20), the slidable shutter (30) hides a touch panel (51) of the mobile device (50) to prevent the touch panel (51) from being scratched or scraped. To start using the mobile device (50), a user moves the slidable shutter (30), such that the touch panel (51) of the mobile device (50) is exposed and can be directly operated by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Topkase International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Yuan Wang, Chih-Ming Chang, David John Ardener, Mao-Shen Wang
  • Publication number: 20120298669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic container structure (1) comprising a lid (2), a gasket (3), and a container (4). The lid (2) is configured to be attached to the container (4) to close it by movement of the lid (2) relative to the container (4) along an engagement direction (D). The container (4) has an opening defined by a circumferential flange (5) having a circumferential seat (6) for receiving the gasket (3). Also, the lid (2) has a circumferential wall (7) configured to surround the circumferential flange (5) of the container (4). The seat (6) is provided on the outside of the flange (5) of the container (4) opposite the circumferential wall (7) of the lid (2) and the seat (6) and the circumferential wall (7) of the lid (2) are configured such that the gasket (3) is compressed between the circumferential wall (7) of the lid (2) and the seat (6) of the container (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Arne Danielsson
  • Patent number: 8213841
    Abstract: A container includes: a container body that is to be inserted into the device, and that has a port; and a pair of support members arranged so that the support members face each other across the port, that supports a cover for covering the port, the cover including: a covering portion that covers the port; a pair of supported members that are supported by the support members; and a pair of connecting portions arranged so that the connecting portions face each other, that connects the covering portion and the supported members, and at least one of the connecting members being configured so that the connecting member becomes narrow as an outside surface of the connecting member tapers towards its inside surface at an end of the container body inserted into the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kitagawa, Kei Hirata, Kouji Fukumuro
  • Patent number: 7954634
    Abstract: A specific theme-shaped eco-friendly disposable wet wipe container having a main theme-shaped disposable eco-friendly housing structure for holding wet wipes and having a base. A selectively openable and closable lid member is movably connected to the housing structure so that the lid member must move in a flat plane parallel to the base. An area is provided for placement of a logo or emblem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Amanda Blakeman
  • Patent number: 7940517
    Abstract: There is provided an electronic device including: a housing included in an exterior package; and a plate-like cover that is provided for one face of the housing and is movable between a close position and an open position. The one face includes an open/close face and a non-open/close. The open/close face is hidden by the cover at a close position of the cover and is exposed from the cover at an open position of the cover. The non-open/close face is exposed from the cover at the close position of the cover and is hidden by the cover at the open position of the cover. A support mechanism is provided to movably support the cover between the close position and the open position. The non-open/close face protrudes frontward from the face for a thickness of the cover in comparison with the open/close face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kitagawa, Michinobu Yanagisawa, Mamoru Abe, Takashi Uchiumi, Naoko Sema
  • Patent number: 7909236
    Abstract: An end cap adapted to releasably secure to a tube having a first open end to form a shipping container. The end cap includes a base, a sidewall surrounding and extending from the base, at least one movable projection biased to extend beyond the outer side of the sidewall, and a deformable sealing element extending from a perimeter of the base and/or from the outer side of the sidewall. When the end cap is secured to the tube, an inner side of tube surrounds the outer side of the sidewall of the end cap, the movable projection extends into a mounting opening formed in the tube proximal to the first open end, and the sealing element is deformed against the inner side of the tube to form a circumferential seal between the end cap and the tube such that the end cap completely plugs a passageway through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Erdie End Caps, LLC
    Inventor: Jason S. Erdie
  • Patent number: 7857133
    Abstract: A windshield wiper package for containing a windshield wiper includes a front portion having a recess for receiving the windshield wiper, a back portion connected to the front portion for containing the windshield wiper within the recess, and an opening disposed in the back portion to allow loading or unloading of the windshield wiper. The opening is sized such that a length of the opening is less than about one-third of a length of the wiper package. A door is slidingly received by the back portion such that the door can be moved between an open position and a closed position. Complimentary detents and indentations are provided for securing the door in the open position or the closed position, the detents being positioned on one of the back portion and the door, and the indentations being positioned on another of the back portion and door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Jamak Fabrication-Tex, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Alan Skurdalsvold, Michael Todd Lindars
  • Patent number: 7854325
    Abstract: A childproof package includes a package housing, two guide recesses, which are formed in an area of an inside surface of the package housing, and a sliding element for a package content. The sliding element has two projections on its top or bottom surface, which are guided in the guide recesses. Further, the childproof package has a spring element arranged between the package housing and the sliding element. The projections can be latched by the elastic force of the spring element in notches, which extend from the guide recesses and branch off from it, and can be released against the elastic force of the spring element so that the projections are returned to the guide recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Josef Bentele
  • Patent number: 7757843
    Abstract: Childproof packaging for a product such as matches or pharmaceutical tablets includes a sleeve and a container for the product within the sleeve. The package includes two pairs of latches, with each latch of a pair oppositely located on the package. A user must use both hands simultaneously, with a respective hand operating a respective pair of latches, to hold the latches in an unlatched condition and also simultaneously to apply pressure to the container to slide it outwardly relatively to the sleeve. Such a two-handed, five finger operation to open the package requires a dexterity that is easy for adults but very difficult for children. Each latch may be a spring arm mounted tab or button which seats in an aperture in the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Nick Katsis
  • Publication number: 20100140269
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an adaptor device for coupling a suction nozzle to a container, preferably containing chemical products, comprising:—an at least partially elastic disc (1), provided with a through hole (2), one or more tongues (4) coupled to the disc (1) and projecting from one surface of the disc (1), the disc (1) being capable to transmit a pressure exerted onto a perimeter of the through hole (2) so that a free end of each one of said one or more tongues (4) bends towards a central portion of the disc (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Stefano Livoti
  • Patent number: 7721926
    Abstract: A vehicle trim component that has a concealed storage compartment includes a mounting portion and a pair of generally parallel tracks that at least partially define an access opening of the trim component. A flexible lid slidably is disposed between the tracks for movement between a closed position and an open position relative to the access opening. The lid includes a flexible portion and a reinforcement portion coupled to the flexible portion. The flexible portion is configured and arranged to span the access opening when the lid is in the closed position. The reinforcement portion has an array of sliding members and an array of hard, rigid reinforcement inserts. Free ends of each of the reinforcement inserts are located in the tracks. The sliding members are disposed on each of the reinforcement inserts to isolate the reinforcement inserts from contacting the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center Northe America, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory P. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7654406
    Abstract: A sliding cover includes an outside plate, a structural member fixed to the rear face of the outside plate, a movable holding member disposed between the outside plate and the structural member, and a toggle disposed between the holding member and the outside plate or the structural member. The holding member includes two parallel racks and guiding portions disposed at both end portions and extending in the same direction as the racks. The holding member includes a holding plate; an even number of pinions meshed with each other and supported by the holding plate so as to be rotatable; and guiding components supported by the holding plate. The pinions, disposed between the guiding components, are meshed with the racks, and the guiding components are engaged with the guiding portions so as to be slidable. The biasing direction in which the toggle biases the holding member is reversed substantially at the midpoint of the movable range of the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michinobu Yanagisawa, Hirokuni Miyai, Takuya Nakajyou, Hiroki Ueno
  • Patent number: 7648375
    Abstract: An electrical socket safety device is disclosed which comprises a base plate for an electrical receptacle exposing multiple electrical sockets thereon, a sliding plate slidably engaging the base plate for covering the electrical sockets, a spring urged to protrude through a slot in the base plate, a concave space on the sliding plate for accommodating the protruding spring, the concave space forcing a first slope on the spring to depress the same into the slot when the sliding plate sliding in one direction, the concave space forcing a second slope of the spring to depress the same into the slot when the sliding plate sliding in an opposite direction, wherein the engagement of the concave space and the spring holds the sliding plate in a predetermined position, and the disengagement of the concave space and the spring requires a predetermined amount of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Peigen Jiang
  • Patent number: 7581670
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shipping container, a paper tube, an end cap and a method. The shipping container includes a tube and an end cap. The tube has a cylindrical body and an open end. The cylindrical body has a mounting opening formed therein adjacent to the open end. The end cap includes a circular sidewall that is adapted to be received by the open end of the tube such that either the circular sidewall is surrounded by the cylindrical body or the cylindrical body is radially surrounded by the circular sidewall. The circular sidewall includes a projection that extends away from the circular sidewall and into the mounting opening so as to releasably secure the end cap to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Erdie End Caps, LLC
    Inventor: Jason S. Erdie
  • Patent number: 7581671
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shipping container, a paper tube, an end cap and a method. The shipping container includes a tube and an end cap. The tube has a cylindrical body and an open end. The cylindrical body has a mounting opening formed therein adjacent to the open end. The end cap includes a circular sidewall that is adapted to be received by the open end of the tube such that the circular sidewall radially surrounds the cylindrical body. The circular sidewall includes a projection that extends away from the circular sidewall and into the mounting opening so as to releasably secure the end cap to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Erdie End Caps, LLC
    Inventor: Jason S. Erdie
  • Publication number: 20090200182
    Abstract: A pre-filled contact lens container is provided with at least a single sealed receptacle at least partially filled with multi-purpose lens cleaning solution. The container includes a lid that snap fits to the base to seal the receptacle after the receptacle seal has been removed. A person uses the container by removing the seal to expose the solution in the receptacle, placing a lens in the solution, and sealing the receptacle with the lid of the container. The container may be provided in pairs or groups so that multiple lenses may be stored and cleaned. The individual containers may be provided in the form of a perforated sheet so that the user may tear off the number of containers to be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Julie Irene Post-Smith, Paula Michele Fite, Matthew John Smith, Luke Hillenbrecht
  • Patent number: 7413096
    Abstract: A beverage container includes a squeeze-actuated self-sealing valve. An actuation mechanism is disposed between inner and outer walls of the cup portion. The actuation mechanism is acted upon by squeezing the beverage container. The actuation mechanism moves a sliding plate in the cover to expose an opening along a front end of the cover for drinking from the beverage container. When not in use, a biasing mechanism in the actuation mechanism causes the sliding plate of the self-sealing valve to return to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Whirley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Morgan, Ronald K. Bergold
  • Patent number: 7296730
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shipping container, a paper tube, an end cap and a method. The shipping container includes a tube and an end cap. The tube has a cylindrical body and an open end. The cylindrical body has a mounting opening formed therein adjacent to the open end. The end cap includes a circular sidewall that is adapted to be received by the open end of the tube such that either the circular sidewall is surrounded by the cylindrical body or the cylindrical body is radially surrounded by the circular sidewall. The circular sidewall includes a projection that extends away from the circular sidewall and into the mounting opening so as to releasably secure the end cap to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Erdie End Caps, LLC
    Inventor: Jason S. Erdie
  • Patent number: 7036664
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for packaging, displaying, dispensing, and storing at least one product, having an inner packaging member and an outer packaging member, the outer packaging member being slidably mounted over the inner packaging member. The inner packaging member may have a structure for retaining a product, such a compartment, a structure for separating the compartment, such as a wall, a complementary contour for accommodating the product, such as a power or a battery cell. The outer packaging member may have a backing member, such as at least one insert, a flange for accommodating and supporting the at least one insert, a roof member, and a section for accommodating an advertisement of the at least one product. The packaging apparatus may have a structure for mating and locking the outer packaging member to the inner packaging member for facilitating engagement and disengagement. The outer packaging member and the inner packaging member may together have a complementary geometric configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Monster Cable Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kendrew Lee, Yasuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7004312
    Abstract: An aluminum business card box comprises a main box and a drawer box. A top cover is on the top of the main box and a containing slot is arranged in the middle part thereof. The inserting slot accommodates the ID badge. And a drawer cover is on one end of the drawer box to forms a space for business cards to store in. Users can insert ID badge into the main box and have business cards stored in the drawer box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Hsin Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 6976576
    Abstract: A child-resistant/senior friendly dispensing package comprising a dispensing member having a dispensing cavity and a product storage cavity, the dispensing member being mounted within a sleeve movable from a first stored position to a second position wherein the dispensing cavity is exterior of the housing to permit dispensing of the product, a device having first and second locks which must be operated either sequentially or simultaneously in order to move the dispensing cavity exteriorly of the housing. The device preferably permits the dispensing of only a single tablet or product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas D. Intini
  • Patent number: 6805236
    Abstract: A case for holding, protecting, yet allowing easy linear access to a keyless entry device, the case comprising an open ended enclosure with a springlike element provided to frictionally hold the device securely yet slidably within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Caruso, Richard Bruce Caruso, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6675984
    Abstract: A metal finishing barrel side opening has a cover secured by a series of cover and barrel tabs, the cover slid into a secured position with the cover tabs partially overlain by the barrel tabs. A locking handle assembly includes a graspable portion supported on a deflectable spring blade attached to the cover at one end which allows the handle assembly to move away from an aligned locator feature on the barrel as the cover is pushed into position. When the cover is shifted lengthwise, the handle assembly moves past the locking feature, and the locking blade pushes the handle assembly back down alongside the locking feature which then prevents reverse sliding of the cover back from under the barrel tabs. When the handle is pulled to initiate removal of the cover, the handle assembly is then moved out above the locking feature to enable the cover to be slid to the released position. An automation apparatus interacts with one form of the locking assembly to automatically install and remove the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Jessup Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Jessup
  • Patent number: 6530478
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a tablet case which can eliminate the disadvantage that the tablets in the case are broken by mutual collision therebetween when there remain a smaller number of tablets in the case, and which makes it possible to readily take out a desired number of tablets therefrom. An elongated tablet case is provided which accommodates a plurality of the tablets. The tablet case has a case body, a cover, and knots. The case body is provided with a plurality of narrow groove-like recesses, each one accommodating one tablet, which are disposed in parallel with one another in one row along the longitudinal direction of the case body. The cover is fitted to the case body slidably along the longitudinal direction. The knots temporarily lock the cover relative to the case body every time the cover is slid by a predetermined distance relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Kanoyadani, Tadaaki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6510960
    Abstract: A captivated slidable access cover incorporates an integral cantilevered spring to prevent undesired movement resulting from gravitational forces or vibration. The cover has two generally parallel, opposed edges which are slidingly captivated in opposed tracks of the enclosure. The integrally formed cantilevered spring is located adjacent one end of the cover and biases the cover to be in one of a positively open position or a positively closed position. The cantilevered spring presses against a portion of the enclosure at or adjacent one end of the access opening defined in the enclosure. The biased interaction between the cantilevered spring and the enclosure ensures a positive open or closed position of the cover. The cover also includes a handle at its other end for slidably opening and closing the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: David G. Christopherson, Ronald A. Banister
  • Patent number: 6460693
    Abstract: The present invention is a child resistant safety container for a blister pack with a housing with an opening in which a drawer which contains the blister pack can be inserted. A latching mechanism is provided to engage and retain the drawer when inserted into the housing. The latching mechanism has cooperating male and female parts located on the drawer and the housing in positions complimentary to each other. The part located on the housing is functionally operable with a latching trigger slidably connected to the housing. Resilient living springs are provided to urge the drawer into latching engagement and, when the drawer is pushed in against the spring, moves to partially disengage the drawer. The latching trigger moves the latching mechanism into a second position fully disengaging the drawer for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Valley Design, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Harrold
  • Patent number: 6450400
    Abstract: A portable currency storage device for securing paper currency and the like against immediate access includes a cover and base slideably joined and locked together. A thumbwheel is provided to assist paper currency and the like into an internal compartment of the device, but is unable to withdraw the same. The internal compartment and its contents are accessible only by separating the cover from the base using the key provided for such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Roland D. Savoir, Jr.