Drain Pan Or Drip Pan Patents (Class 220/571)
  • Patent number: 7523854
    Abstract: A drain pan assembly for receiving liquids from air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers comprising a blank having peripheral edges, base forming fold lines, and corner piece forming fold lines, wherein at least two corner piece forming fold lines and a portion of the peripheral edges, form each corner piece. The corner piece further comprises a diagonal corner fold line. Folding each corner piece along each diagonal corner fold line forms corner flaps. Each corner flap is bent about each of the corner piece forming fold lines to dispose the corner piece forming fold lines adjacent to each other and the diagonal corner fold lines adjacent to a surface of each peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: William R. Gray
  • Patent number: 7484637
    Abstract: A low cost, plastic, one-piece paint tray, which is optionally disposable or reusable, is thermoformed or molded and has a roller platform hinged at one of its ends to a base for pivotal movement relative to the base between use and non-use positions wherein, in a use position, the roller platform is disposed within the base and releasably attached as by snap fastener means to the base and wherein, in a non-use position, the roller platform is disposed exteriorly of the base for ease of cleaning, storage and shipment, the base being configured to support the roller platform at an inclined angle relative to the base in the use position and to provide communicating chambers under the roller platform when the platform is in a use position to increase the paint holding capacity of the paint tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventors: Willard G. Cutler, Sr., Willard G. Cutler, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080314375
    Abstract: A condensate pan for a condensing furnace includes a main chamber to receive exhaust gases, a condensate trap separate from the main chamber and internal the condensate pan and a main drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Tabraiz Ali Khan
  • Publication number: 20080307857
    Abstract: A drainage tray for detecting leaks from a sink is provided. The drainage tray includes a tray for intercepting the leaks, a trough for collecting the intercepted leaks. The outlet in the trough discharges the collected leaks from the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Binyamin Atiya
  • Publication number: 20080245802
    Abstract: A drain pan assembly for receiving liquids from air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers comprising a blank having peripheral edges, base forming fold lines, and corner piece forming fold lines, wherein at least two corner piece forming fold lines and a portion of the peripheral edges, form each corner piece. The corner piece further comprises a diagonal corner fold line. Folding each corner piece along each diagonal corner fold line forms corner flaps. Each corner flap is bent about each of the corner piece forming fold lines to dispose the corner piece forming fold lines adjacent to each other and the diagonal corner fold lines adjacent to a surface of each peripheral wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: William R. Gray
  • Patent number: 7431044
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the orientation of a lubricant-retaining basin is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cabinet configured for retaining a vacuum pump and a lubricant-retaining basin. A rotatable member engages the lubricant-retaining basin and elevates the back end of the basin to permit drainage of lubricant from the front end of the basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dallas Ricker, Viet X. Nguyen, Bernard John Permar, Jerome M. Szczepaniak, Lindy T. Miller, Eric Alan Schneider, Bill Van Ocker
  • Patent number: 7428911
    Abstract: A battery spill containment system and method are provided for containing a hazardous spilled substance from at least one industrial battery in service as a back-up power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Expo Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Frazier
  • Patent number: 7418827
    Abstract: A condensate pan assembly comprises a first condensate pan and a second condensate pan. The first condensate pan has a first side and a second side. The second condensate pan has a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side of the second condensate pan is configured to receive the first side of the first condensate pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Arturo Rios
  • Publication number: 20080169293
    Abstract: A combination oil filter preload storage pan and drain pan includes a pan with a series of differentially sized openings in the top cover thereof and support ribs arrayed within the pan on the base for support of preloaded filters or filters which are to be drained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: Lisle Corporation
    Inventors: Scotty R. Kurtz, Daniel Duncan
  • Publication number: 20080164263
    Abstract: A modular fluid containment system formed of a plurality of fluid containment units and interconnecting channels. The containment units and channels may be comprised of panel units made of flexible non-porous material. The system includes brace members along selected edges of the containment units and panel units which are operative between an operative position in which the edges of the flexible material forming the containment units and panel units are held in an upright position forming side walls defining a containment or channel area and an inoperative position in which the flexible material is allowed to lie along a single plane in flat or folded condition. Connectors are provided along selected edges of the panel units to interconnect the panel units into desired configurations forming the containment system of desired shape and size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Edward W. Van Romer
  • Patent number: 7392821
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drain water discharge structure for an air conditioning apparatus in which at least any one of an internal drain pipe (12) and an external drain pipe (14) is formed from an antibacterial metal pipe, thereby to inhibit the generation of slime in the external drain pipe (14) and to make the external drain pipe (14) less apt to deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruo Nakata, Kazuhide Mizutani, Hiromune Matsuoka, Makio Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20080149644
    Abstract: A drainage grid (12) for a dripping device (10) comprising a first flat portion of grid (14) to which a second flat portion of grid (15) is constrained, said second portion (15) can rotate around a first axis (21) defined by a border line between said first (14) and said second (15) portion. A third flat portion of grid (16) is constrained to the second portion (15), said third portion (16) can rotate around a second axis (22) defined by a border line between said second (15) and said third (16) portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Raffaele Piacenza, Marco Alessandro Piacenza
  • Publication number: 20080142525
    Abstract: A secondary emergency condensate drain pan for an HVAC equipment and drains into the secondary pan. The secondary pan is positioned under the entire air handler to catch any water that gets outside the pan and cabinet of the HVAC unit and drains this water out of the structure utilizing standard draining practices. The drain pan is made of molded plastic that is sloped from the four corners inward to the center and down the middle to a threaded hole which its bottom is below the bottom panel, allowing no water to pool in front of the connection. There are a plurality of risers molded in the base and which protrude upward around the four corners to allow the air handler to set in a level manner. The height of the cones allows for duct connections to be made effectively to the air handler. The cones have hollow centers to allow pans to be stacked upon one another. The pan is designed such that the under side has supported ribs to ensure structural integrity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Timothy Donald BROUILLETTE
  • Patent number: 7374062
    Abstract: A modular fluid containment system formed of a plurality of fluid containment units and interconnecting channels. The containment units and channels may be comprised of panel units made of flexible non-porous material. The system includes brace members along selected edges of the containment units and panel units which are operative between an operative position in which the edges of the flexible material forming the containment units and panel units are held in an upright position forming side walls defining a containment or channel area and an inoperative position in which the flexible material is allowed to lie along a single plane in flat or folded condition. Connectors are provided along selected edges of the panel units to interconnect the panel units into desired configurations forming the containment system of desired shape and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Edward W. Van Romer
  • Publication number: 20080054003
    Abstract: A fresh produce keeper includes a vessel having a floor and upwardly extending sidewalls. Holes in the floor allow the vessel to be used as a colander or strainer to rinse produce, while a lid fits over the floor to retain water within the vessel, thereby allowing the same vessel to be used for both rinsing and service or storage. An internal divider and air vent is also provided in some examples of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Heather Curtin
  • Publication number: 20080012377
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle and a drip guard for containing any material spilling from the vehicle. The drip guard has a sheet of liquid impervious material, and a device for extending and retracting the sheet of liquid impervious material along the undercarriage of the vehicle. The sheet of liquid impervious material is attached to the vehicle and has drainage ports. In the retracted position the sheet of liquid impervious material is retracted toward a first end of the undercarriage. In the extended position, the sheet of liquid impervious material is extended from the first end of the undercarriage toward a second end of the undercarriage. In the extended position, the sheet underlies a major portion of the undercarriage. The sheet of liquid impervious material is attached to cables that guide and support the sheet of liquid impervious material between the extended position and the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: Sean HANNIGAN
  • Patent number: 7290558
    Abstract: A waste water and hazardous chemical collection system is provided. The system includes a bottom pan having a plurality of vertically disposed walls, a multitude of outwardly horizontally projecting ledges and a plurality of downwardly depending lips. Each pan further includes a drainage waffle inserted within said pan. A work surface is applied to a top surface of said drainage waffle. A plurality of holes is formed in said work surface permitting any liquids that make contact to the work surface to drain there through and into an area of the bottom pan. A pump is connected to said pan for withdrawing liquids therefrom. The system includes a water source for each pan thereby creating a shower system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventors: Albert DeChard, Charles D. Siminski
  • Patent number: 7243813
    Abstract: A food container preferably for heated food, has a lid member and a base member. The base member has complimentary embossed portions in the bottom of the base member to engage a complimentary indented portion in the top surface of the lid member. The retaining mechanism allows containers to be stacked so as to secure each container while allowing steam to escape from the lid of a container. Also, a fluid return system retains fluid in the container and promotes flow of fluid into the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Anchor Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Krueger
  • Patent number: 7234608
    Abstract: A spill containment assembly includes a support structure or grate, and a flexible containment bag disposed beneath, and secured to, the grate. Fluid filled containers are placed on the grate. The bag defines an available containment volume sufficient to retain a quantity of liquid stored within the containers supported by the grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Polymer & Steel Technologies Holding Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Reed, Douglas M. Horner, Thomas G. Carter, Scott Janda
  • Patent number: 7168588
    Abstract: A multi-compartment portable containment structured positionable in an upstanding position providing multiple compartments for receiving contaminant and in a down position allowing said compartments to be folded into a compact condition for storage and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Edward W. Van Romer
  • Patent number: 7124772
    Abstract: A laundry room protective mat includes a rubber base mat with a perimeter rim and an inner fabric cushion to protect the floor in the laundry room from incidental and accidental water leaking from the washer, water and drain hoses and water connections. The mat also provides a cushion to dampen vibrations and prevent movement of the washer and dryer during operation and to protect the floor from movement of the washer and dryer located upon the mat within the perimeter rim. The perimeter rim is also provided with a drain outlet and a connecting hose to evacuate water within the perimeter rim of the mat and may also include a water sensor integrated within the perimeter rim to detect the presence of water within the perimeter rim to alert the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: David L. Browning
  • Patent number: 7124771
    Abstract: A spill containment system and method that contain leaks and spills from devices including but not limited to batteries. The system neutralizes and absorbs leaks and spills to prevent the leaks and spills from spreading. The system not only detects leaks, but also indicates whether a leak has occurred. The system can communicate with personnel or devices to raise an alarm or cause corrective measures to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Expo Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Frazier
  • Patent number: 7114514
    Abstract: A water management and leak detection has a containment system to contain hot water tank leaks and and electrical circuits that manage water flow and electricity to the hot water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Andre Houle
  • Patent number: 7104278
    Abstract: A leak collection chamber is provided inside the housing of a fuel dispenser. The leak collection chamber collects any leaked fuel from fuel handling components inside the fuel dispenser so that the fuel does not leak to the environment. The leak collection chamber can be removed from the fuel dispenser for evacuation. The control system inside the fuel dispenser can determine the liquid level inside the leak containment chamber and generate signals and alarms if the liquid level exceeds a threshold liquid level value and/or the rate of increase in liquid level exceeds a threshold liquid level increase value. The control system can alert service personnel and/or other systems of the leak collection chamber liquid level. Further, the control system and/or other systems shut down the submersible turbine pump that services the fuel dispenser with fuel in response to catastrophic leak condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, John S. McSpadden
  • Patent number: 7093722
    Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for removing and trapping large and/or dense abrasive particles from a polishing slurry. The polishing slurry is introduced into a container and allowed to stagnate, thereby causing large and/or dense particles to separate from the slurry under the influence of gravity. The container includes a cavity or plurality of cavities defined by an inner surface of the container into which the separated particles sink. To prevent the large and/or dense particles from becoming re-suspended into the slurry, the size and shape of the cavity is relatively deep and narrow with respect to the large and/or dense particles, thus providing a trapping effect. The cavities do not effectively trap the smaller particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Steven K Grumbine
  • Patent number: 7086409
    Abstract: A fluid collection system having an island with a central collection vessel with a splash pad filling the opening thereof and a fluid collecting surgical drape with fluid dams, and associated fluid removal ports for collecting fluids related to surgical procedures from the vicinity of a patient positioned on the drape on an operating room table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Promethean Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan R. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7063301
    Abstract: A facilities connection locator is provided for use with a support apparatus for supporting manufacturing equipment. The facilities connection locator comprises a fluid tight bucket having a bottom surface, a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and a mounting mechanism adapted to mount the fluid tight bucket to the support apparatus so that the fluid tight bucket has a fixed position relative to the support apparatus in an x y and z axes. The facilities connection locator also comprises a fluid connection port, and may comprise a vacuum connection port surrounded by a fluid tight riser. A vacuum line connection may extend through the vacuum connection port and may have a locating flange located a predetermined distance from the connection's top surface, such that coupling the locating flange to the riser fixes the height of the vacuum line connection relative to the top of the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Vern Schauer
  • Patent number: 6997207
    Abstract: A water-heater pan includes a bottom wall for receiving the bottom of a water heater. The bottom wall defines a relatively narrow, arcuate flow receptacle extending continuously outwardly from a portion of the perimeter of the bottom wall. The flow receptacle defines a floor-drain outlet disposed completely through an area of the bottom wall. A continuous side wall extends integrally upwardly and divergently from the entire perimeter of the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: William S. McKesson
  • Patent number: 6988848
    Abstract: A drip berm for mounting onto a drip mat includes one or more inner berm members and one or more cooperating outer berm members. Each inner berm member is mountable contiguously around the circumferential edges of the drip mat. Each outer berm member is mountable along an inner edge of the outer berm member contiguously along or around an outer edge of, or perimeter of a frame formed by the inner berm member or members. Each inner berm member includes at least one clamp member for mounting onto the circumferential edges of the drip mat. Each clamp member includes a pair of jaws for mounting inwardly of the circumferential edges of the drip mat. The jaws are pivotable about a clam-shell hinge so as to, in a closed position, engage and clamp the circumferential edges of the drip mat between the pair of jaws, and so as to, in an open position, release the circumferential edges of the drip mat from between the pair of jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Roadstead Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk J. Arsenault, Michael Howard Boudreau
  • Patent number: 6978909
    Abstract: A drain pan for capturing condensate from a cooling coil in an air conditioning system is configured to facilitate condensate drainage from the pan and to inhibit accumulation of condensate therein. The pan includes troughs for collecting condensate and for channeling the condensate to the front part of the pan where the drain openings are located. A back trough has a central hump to enhance the flow of condensate from the back trough in both directions into opposed side troughs. The side troughs are sloped from back to front to conduct the condensate into a front trough to facilitate drainage from the pan. The lowermost portion of the front trough region is defined by a relatively narrow, non-flat area to reduce the amount of condensate residue in the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Distributor Products LLC
    Inventors: Gregory T. Goetzinger, Christopher D. Beck
  • Patent number: 6976501
    Abstract: An improved surround structure and method of installation for surrounding the base of a water-containing appliance to prevent water leakage onto a concrete floor is disclosed where a lower portion of the surround structure is embedded in the concrete floor as it is being formed and an upper portion of the surround structure extends above the basement floor to surround the base of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: James M. Pratt
  • Patent number: 6968872
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering liquid chemical products, in which the residual liquid chemical products remaining in respective handling devices in a chemical production facility can be efficiently and safely recovered therefrom without leakage thereof out of the system. In the process for recovering liquid chemical products in a chemical production facility according to the present invention, the chemical products are withdrawn from the handling devices through bottom discharge pipes (14), (15), (16) and (17) thereof, directly collected by the gravity thereof into a common inclined collection pipe (13) located at a position lower than the bottom discharge pipes and connected to the bottom discharge pipes, and then delivered by the gravity thereof through the inclined collection pipe (13) to a recovery tank (1) located at a position lower than the inclined collection pipe and connected to a lower end of the inclined collection pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sakakura, Shuhei Yada, Yasushi Ogawa, Yoshiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6938639
    Abstract: A system and method for collecting distending medium or other fluids discharged during surgical procedures is shown. Also shown is a method for reducing the risk of hyponatremia. The apparatus makes it practical to determine the amount of distending medium retained by a patient during hysteroscopic or other surgical procedures, particularly procedures using non-isotonic distending medium during monopolar electrosurgery. The apparatus and methods are also useful during a variety of laparoscopic, obstetric, cardiovascular, liposuction, plastic, orthopedic, restorative, and other procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Promethean Medical Technologies
    Inventor: Allan R. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6938790
    Abstract: A tray has a containment space defined by a tray floor and a continuous peripheral ridge extending upwardly from the tray floor. The ridge has an inner sidewall extending inward and downward from an upper edge of the ridge and an outer sidewall extending downward from the upper edge of the ridge. Multiple trays are coupled together by a connector member having lobes that mate with the shell-like structure of the ridge, and provide additional strength to the peripheral ridge. The tray can be provided with a shell-like construction such that multiple trays can be stacked compactly one on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Dale Hughes
  • Patent number: 6938792
    Abstract: A drip-proof inset includes a bottom and a U-shaped border surrounding the same, which border is composed of two side pieces and one back piece. Initially, the inset is in the shape of a plane sheet (A) that includes a number of scorings. Namely, two first scorings (8), along which two side pieces (3?) can be turned up at an angle to a bottom-forming part (1?) of the sheet, a second scoring (9), along which a back piece (4?) can be turned up at an angle to the bottom sheet part (1?), as well as at least one additional, third scoring (11) that extends halfway between two opposite edges (7) of the sheet in order to, before turning-up of said back and side pieces, enable folding of the sheet in the middle during formation of two folded-up sheet halves having a halved surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Tollco AB
    Inventor: Patrik Gerger
  • Patent number: 6901946
    Abstract: A battery spill containment system and method that contain leaks and spills from batteries. The system neutralizes and absorbs leaks and spills to prevent the spills from spreading. The system may have rails that are readily removable to permit access to batteries and to allow more batteries to be stored in a given vertical space. Another system is comprised of modular pans that are connected to each other to form a larger spill containment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: ExpoPower Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Frazier
  • Patent number: 6895990
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically shutting off the water supply to a leaking water heater includes a water collecting tray positionable beneath the heater, a valve mechanism attachable to the tray, a float mechanism, and an action arm interactive between the float mechanism and valve mechanism. When water collects in the tray, the float mechanism rises, causing the action arm to trigger the release of a spring-urged component of the valve mechanism to discontinue flow of water to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: James H. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6845784
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler water catching apparatus includes a funnel member which has a funnel top portion, a funnel bottom portion, a funnel drain portion connected to the funnel bottom portion, and a pole-reception fitting. A drain hose is connected to the funnel drain portion. The end of a support pole is received in the pole-reception fitting. The fire sprinkler water catching apparatus of the invention is used to catch and carry away unwanted water that is sprayed from a fire sprinkler when the fire sprinkler is spraying water at an unwanted time, such as when a fusible link on the fire sprinkler is accidentally broken. Preferably, a flexible funnel cover is fitted onto the top of the funnel top portion. The flexible funnel cover includes a plurality of flexible and resilient funnel cover flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: James J. Pascznk
  • Patent number: 6793092
    Abstract: A disposable container for disposing of used oil. The container includes a housing, tin foil, an oil absorbent material, and a filter. The housing is made from cardboard and has a substantially open top and an interior. The tin foil lines the interior of the housing and prevents the used oil poured into the housing from leaking therethrough, so as to form therewith, an oil-proofed housing. The oil absorbent material fills the interior of the oil-proofed housing and absorbs the used oil poured thereon. The filter is sandwiched between the oil absorbent material and the substantially open top of the housing and filters particles in the used oil as the used oil is poured through the substantially open top of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Warren Hayakawa, Mark Shimabukuro
  • Patent number: 6786351
    Abstract: A food container preferably for heated food, has a lid member and a base member. The base member has complimentary embossed portions in the bottom of the base member to engage a complimentary indented portion in the top surface of the lid member. The retaining mechanism allows containers to be stacked so as to secure each container while allowing steam to escape from the lid of a container. Also, a fluid return system retains fluid in the container and promotes flow of fluid into the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Anchor Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Krueger
  • Patent number: 6783023
    Abstract: A legged pot has a pot body and at least one leg. The leg has a fluid conduit in fluid communication to and from the pot body. The legged pot can be used with a fluid source, a plastic film, or a tray to reduce watering cost, labor and material cost, water and fertilizer lose, environmental contaminate, and soil in use, and to avoid plant damage by water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Jian-Hua Fan
  • Patent number: 6780366
    Abstract: The invention provides mandrels for producing elastomeric components such as mammary implants. Specifically, the invention provides mandrels that include a mold, a shaft attached to the mold, and a drip retainer attached to the shaft. The drip retainers disclosed herein are configured to catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) that run and/or drip off the mold and shaft, and to retain such fluids when the dipping mandrel is inverted. The invention also provides drip retainers that can catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) when attached to a dipping mandrel, and can retain the fluids upon inversion of the dipping mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Mentor Corporation
    Inventors: Koua Vang, Phillip E. Duckert, Terence M. Fogarty
  • Publication number: 20040159664
    Abstract: A spill containment assembly includes a support structure or grate, and a flexible containment bag disposed beneath, and secured to, the grate. Fluid filled containers are placed on the grate. The bag defines an available containment volume sufficient to retain a quantity of liquid stored within the containers supported by the grate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: POLYMER & STEEL TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING COMPANY, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Reed, Douglas M. Horner, Thomas G. Carter, Scott Janda
  • Patent number: 6769538
    Abstract: A selectively configurable household accessory holder capable of being customized through adding and removing a variety of containers to a base. The containers may hold any number of items. The household accessory holder may be configured by removably attaching a variety of containers to the base. The base has a connection means capable of mating with an attachment means on a container bottom. The base has a series of regularly spaced holes drilled in its top while a container has one or more pegs sized to fit into a hole. The container may be aligned on the base so that the peg sits in a hole and secures the container to the base. A user may remove a container by pulling it up so that the peg is removed from the hole. The base is sized such that multiple containers of any shape may be affixed thereto simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Charlane Marie Oswald
  • Publication number: 20040104234
    Abstract: A fuel oil tank is comprised of a sealed reservoir having side walls, a top and bottom walls, and opposed end walls. A closable inlet port is provided to admit fuel oil in the reservoir. An outlet port is provided in the bottom wall and is adapted to receive a coupling to connect a feed pipe to supply fuel oil to a remote apparatus. The bottom wall has an evacuation channel formed in a lowermost part thereof to direct fuel oil from the lowermost part of the tank to the outlet port which is located in a base of the evacuation channel whereby any liquid in the fuel oil which is heavier than the fuel oil will be channeled to the outlet port and not accumulate in the lowermost part of the bottom wall of the tank where it would inhibit the formation of rust in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Claude Lesage
  • Publication number: 20040104233
    Abstract: The achievement and economical method of the cleanout of the service tank, providing greater safety due to the V-Shape bottom of the service tank of a hot oil unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald Chandler
  • Publication number: 20040083956
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device, such as a paint mat, removably attachable to the base of a paint can, for collecting spills and drips from the paint can during use. The paint mat includes an attachment means, such as a magnet, in the central portion thereof, for attachment to the base of the paint can. When attached, the paint mat extends beyond the perimeter of the paint can. The paint mat may include an aperture distal to the central portion but not extending past the perimeter of the base. The semi-rigid board also includes an advertisement on at least one side thereof and an extension therefrom so as to allow a brush to rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Christopher Demitry
  • Patent number: 6726050
    Abstract: A cutting and fillet board with drain is adapted for removable attachment to a conventional IGLOO® ice chest cooler and other similar ice chest coolers. The cutting and fillet board has a planar, generally rectangular board member fabricated of a high-density polymer and includes a raised peripheral wall. The board member has a generally smooth filleting surface designed for use during cutting, cleaning, and filleting fish. An attachment means facilitates removable attachment of the board member to an upper surface of an ice chest cooler top. A pair of drainage portals facilitate drainage from the filleting surface, while drain plugs serve to prevent drainage onto the ice chest cooler top. A cutting instrument retention means provides for temporary storage of a desired cutting instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventors: Robert A. Barentine, Susan G. Barentine
  • Patent number: 6718788
    Abstract: Method for producing a galvanized steel drain pan of rectangular or square configuration for use in refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners to collect condensate water, the method includes the steps of: cutting a blank galvanized steel plate to the desired size; folding sides portions of the blank to a degree of 60 to 90 to form side portions of the drain pan; corrugating the corners formed by the side portions; and installing a drain fitting along with a pipe to drain the condensate water from the drain pan. Also disclosed is the drain pan made by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald D. Shuck
  • Patent number: 6719164
    Abstract: A pallet container for liquids (10) comprises an inner plastic container (12), equipped with a filler (13) and a drain tap (14), both with a hermetic seal, protected by metal plating (16) and resting on a pallet (15), suitable to be moved with lifting means, and composed of a stamped metal plate tray (17), provided with stiffening grooves (22) and bearing elements, corner feet (18), central spacers (19, 19′) and a drainer (20), made of plastic, and equipped with complementary engaging elements, for connection with a base ring (24) and with the tray (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Mamor S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pietro Maschio