Container Contoured To Fit A Body Part Patents (Class 220/914)
  • Patent number: 8579874
    Abstract: A breast interface assembly for connecting a breast pump to a nipple of a breast, includes a connector and a reversible element which has two terminal portions of differing internal diameters. The breast interface assembly is configured to be assembled in a first state, in which a first terminal portion of the reversible element connects with the connector, and the breast interface assembly presents a breast contact surface defining a nipple aperture of a first diameter. The breast interface assembly is further configured to be assembled in a second state in which a second terminal portion of the reversible element connects with the connector and the breast interface assembly presents a breast contact surface defining a nipple aperture of a second diameter. In at least one of the first and second states, the reversible element provides at least part of the breast contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Portable Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Doron Barack
  • Patent number: 8573002
    Abstract: A portable cooler has a thermally isolating outer shell defining an internal compartment for holding contents to be kept cool, such as, for example, food, drinks and temperature-sensitive medicine. The portable cooler has a door connected to the outer shell for providing unrestricted access to the internal compartment. The portable cooler may have a shelf for holding a cold gel pack to help keep the contents cool. The cooler may also have a plurality of dividers (that are optionally reconfigurable) for defining variously sized storage spaces for the contents. The cooler may have an aesthetically pleasing curved outer shell and an adjustable shoulder strap so that the cooler can be carried on a person's shoulder. Because the cooler is easy and comfortable to carry and because its large swing-open door provides full and quick access to its contents, this cooler is more ergonomic and aesthetic than traditional designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventors: Colette Ledoux, Raymond Mitchell, Claude Ledoux
  • Patent number: 8292342
    Abstract: A plate carrier is carried on a server's forearm. The carrier comprises a wireform having a horizontal support portion for carrying the plate carrier on the forearm, a vertical loop portion looping around a server's forearm, and a plate holder portion below the server's forearm. The horizontal support is carried between the elbow and the palm. The vertical loop portion centers the plate holder portion under the server's forearm and the plate holder portion positions the plate holders centered under the forearm longitudinally closer to the elbow than the palm. The plate holders comprise a stationary lower jaw and a pivoting upper jaw allowing adjustment to hold a variety of plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew Lord
  • Patent number: 8272512
    Abstract: Food and drink trays have flat surfaces and peripheral edges with openings adapted for receiving and securely carrying a plurality of beverage and food containers. A bearing member attachable to a tray has an arched configuration and fits over the forearm of a user, while a gripping member attachable to the tray is adapted for gripping by a user's hand. A second embodiment has a pair of large circular openings on the upper surface that will hold full plates of food. The food and drink carrying tray may be made from wood, or from a lightweight material, such as plastic, and is useful for holding a plurality of beverages and plates of food when dining buffet-style in a restaurant or a home dinner party. Additional embodiments have removable grips and removable bearing members, as well as large food trays capable of receiving a variety of container-holding adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Silfred Joseph
  • Patent number: 7806551
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a bowl having an opening. The opening includes a plurality of movable members movable between a first position and a second position. The first position is a closed position in which the movable members are connected and support items in the bowl. The second position is an open position and allows a hand to enter the opening. The apparatus includes a circuit that includes a switch operably connected to said moveable members such that a light turns on upon said moveable members being in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Jackson River Phipps
  • Patent number: 7520550
    Abstract: A plate carrier is carried on a server's forearm. The carrier comprises a horizontal support portion for carrying the plate carrier on the forearm and a vertical spine with at least one plate holder. The horizontal support resides between the elbow and the palm, and comprises a plastic support surface and a metal backing. The vertical spine extends downwardly from the horizontal support, looping around the forearm, and continuing downward below the server's forearm. The spine is laterally centered on the horizontal support, and longitudinally closer to the elbow than the palm. The plate holders extend longitudinally with respect to the horizontal support, and a majority of the plate holders extend forward from the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Andrew Lord
  • Patent number: 7007819
    Abstract: This invention is a photo display drinking container for children. The container includes a hollow vessel (12) surrounded by a clear outer casing (10). The clear outer casing (10) is open at the bottom, forming a display space (21) between the hollow vessel (12) and the clear outer casing (10). The display space (21) is for the purpose of easy insertion and removal of personalized photographs or decorations (20). A clear bottom lid (11), connected to the clear outer casing (10), prevents the decorations (20) from falling out of the display space (21). The clear bottom lid (11) is removable, and pictures can be inserted and removed frequently. A top lid (13) protects contents of the hollow container vessel (14) during the insertion and removal of decorations (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Leah Pollack
  • Patent number: 6648165
    Abstract: A container is provided that has two receptacles joined at a common edge and is thereby suitable for resting on the forearm of a user. A liner for the container is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Carl A. Accardo
  • Patent number: 6279707
    Abstract: A carrying case or luggage includes a concave curved side panel to facilitate positioning of the luggage when held by hand straps or a shoulder strap against the hip or leg of a user or person carrying the luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Travel Caddy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Andrezj Redzisz
  • Patent number: 6257442
    Abstract: A transport packaging structure of variable volume having four generally parallel and mutually adjacent angle-pieces. Each angle piece has two flanges which define an angle of generally 90° therebetween such as to form an inner corner which faces towards the interior of the structure. Mutually adjacent angle-pieces on at least three sides of the packaging structure are held together by at least one arm which functions to enable two angle-pieces to be spaced apart by a selective distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: UPC United Products Company AB
    Inventor: Lars Fredmark
  • Patent number: 6152862
    Abstract: A hand-held drink dispenser has a main housing (1) and a parallel second housing (4) that is a handle. Both are attached to a base plate (7) and covered with a funneled cap (13) having a funnel spout (14) that is sized and shaped to fit in a user's mouth to funnel liquid from a plurality of reservoirs (2, 5) in the main housing and in the second housing. A cushiony support (15) between the handle and the main housing helps hold the dispenser in order to relax holding grip for allowing the user to concentrate on physical activities and other concerns. Separate reservoirs prevent sloshing of the liquid and provide measured output from each of a pair of left-hand and right-hand units while also allowing balance of weight of liquid in each hand. Weight-attachment (16) and item-attachment (18, 19, 20) means are optional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: John R. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 6039205
    Abstract: A stackable shopping basket in which the proximal side wall is inwardly curved in a contour adapted to an adult human user's body. The opposite or distal side wall may also be curved with a contour that is symmetrical with the proximate side wall. The side walls and end walls have an outwardly-turned peripheral top edge forming a lip, the lip being extended downward along at least a portion of the proximal side wall to form a cushion portion. Stand-off fins are provided along the periphery of the basket between the lip and the end walls and side walls other than the cushion portion. A centrally located handle projects from the bottom of the basket and defines a channel through the bottom wall of the basket for nesting identical baskets in a stack. The grip of the handle is oriented along the longitudinal axis of the basket. The grip may have a detachable cover to display advertising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Christopher M. Flink
  • Patent number: 6039207
    Abstract: A lidded insulator for a beverage container comprising an insulator lid hingedly attached to an insulator body by means of a hinge. An insulator top ring having an insulator top ring bore is attached to the insulator lid. The hinge is made of resilient material possessing material memory tending to urge the hinge into a straight position. This hinge material memory tends to urge the insulator lid into a closed position. The lidded insulator for a beverage container is sized to frictionally admit a standard sized beverage container. Thus the beverage container is held securely within the insulator body, and when the insulator lid is closed on the beverage container, the frictional fit between the insulator lid and the beverage container holds the top closed, and together with the hinge material memory, urges the insulator lid top into sealing relationship with the beverage container opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Thad R. Adamek
  • Patent number: 5899354
    Abstract: A drinking mug including a body having a lipid-receiving interior volume with a handle connected to the body and extending outwardly therefrom. The body has a first eye relief channel extending longitudinally along the body and a second eye relief channel extending generally parallel to the first eye relief channel and extending longitudinally along the body. The first and second eye relief channels are indentations in the exterior surface of the annular configuration of the body. Each of the first and second eye relief channels extends from a top of the body to a bottom of the body. A nose bridge receptacle is formed in the body between the first and second eye relief channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Miguel Z. Garcia
  • Patent number: 5868272
    Abstract: An improved beverage container is provided, and has a top wall, a bottom wall, a side wall extending between and being integrally connected to the top and bottom walls. The side wall contains thumb and finger receiving portions which can be detented by applying pressure or by releasing pressure within the container. The thumb and finger receiving portions are oriented for gripping by a person's thumb and fingers. One of the finger receiving portions is positioned below an opening in the top wall of the container such that the container is automatically oriented for drinking or pouring when grasped by a person. The shape of the container can be that of a typical beverage can or plastic bottle. Circular rims adjacent the top and bottom walls of the container allow dispensing from conventional beverage machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Richard E. Deal
  • Patent number: 5810195
    Abstract: A sanitary cup which is inserted into a drinking water can including: a body which is made of a synthetic resin; a plurality of hemisphere type of projections which are formed on the inner and outer surfaces of the body; an inclined portion which is inclined by about 20.degree. on the upper end portion of the body; a first groove which is formed between a cup bottom surface and a bottom surface edge portion; a projection end which is formed on the bottom surface of the inner side of the body; a second groove which is formed between the bottom surface edge portion and the body to form a protrusion portion on the inner side of the body; and a third groove which is formed in the inner side of the bottom surface edge portion, whereby when a reinforcing edge on the top end of the drinking water can is inserted into the third groove, the protrusion portion is elastically inserted into the lower portion of the reinforcing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Daeyong Sim
  • Patent number: 5806709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handle for use with a paint can of the type having a bottom, a bottom rim, a side wall a top and a bail. The handle comprises a base, a slot in the base for receiving the bottom rim, and a side support extending substantially perpendicular from said base adjacent the slot. The side support has an inner surface and an outer surface, with a hook on the outer surface for engaging the bail, whereby when the can is placed on the base and the bail engaged by the hook the handle is securely held against the can bottom and side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Henry W. Marshall, II
  • Patent number: 5774937
    Abstract: A handle adapter provided for a cooking utensil consists of a one piece integral portion mounted to the cooking utensil so that the user can ergonomically grip and control the cooking utensil. The adapter consists of a one-piece arm bent to provide a shielding portion to protect the user's hand from the heated materials in the cooking utensil, a gripping portion ergonomically shaped to reduce stress on the user's wrist, and a support portion extending from the gripping portion constructed and arranged to conform substantially to the user's arm. The gripping portion and support portion coact with each other, and are constructed of materials to facilitate control of the adapter and comfort during a cooking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Frank Caminos
  • Patent number: 5769264
    Abstract: A pallet for holding food items and wine goblets in one hand is provided. The pallet has a body with a top surface for placing food items. At one end there is a post and at the other end a brace, both extending from the underside of the body. The brace rests on the forearm and the post is held in the hand to hold and support the pallet. Keyhole slots are provided to hold wine goblets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Rio Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Lipkowitz
  • Patent number: 5697512
    Abstract: An improved tray which can be held and stabilized using one hand and forearm is disclosed. The surface of the tray is positioned away from the forearm so that hot foods can be provided on the tray surface without injury or discomfort to one using the tray. A stabilizing member which has a shape generally conforming to the curvature of the forearm is positioned on one side of the tray and on the opposite side extends a cup holder. The stabilizer element and cup holder extend downwardly from the tray an equal distance which enables the device to be rested on a table or flat surface. A further feature of the invention allows for the nesting of the trays on top of one another for storage or shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: David A. Brickley
  • Patent number: 5598944
    Abstract: The present invention is a food tray wherein a portion of the food tray is molded into a food bowl for holding the food. The food bowl includes a food bowl base, a food bowl wall extending away from the food bowl base, and a food bowl rim positioned on an opposite side of the food bowl wall from the food bowl base. A grip is provided on the tray, and connected and positioned with respect to the food bowl wall for providing a grip to the hand of the user. The grip provides a grip with the thumb gripping on one side of the tray and all other fingers of the hand being able to spread or fan out to grip on an under side of the tray opposite the one side. The grip includes a thumb grip edge which is preferably placed at the inside base of the thumb. The present invention also has a palm extension which is connected to the grip and fits into the palm of the hand that is holding the tray. The palm extension has a palm extension edge which extends into the palm of the user for support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: James Aragona
  • Patent number: 5551593
    Abstract: A food and beverage plate is provided having a thumb slot disposed on an upper surface along a periphery of the food and beverage plate parallel to an axis passing through a center of the food and beverage plate. A beverage recess is disposed in the food and beverage plate proximate the thumb slot on a first side of the axis and a food recess is disposed in the food and beverage plate proximate the thumb slot substantially on a second side of the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: Duane D. Wiens
  • Patent number: 5417721
    Abstract: A device for treating an enlarged prostate which comprises inserting snugly between the legs beneath the outside area of the prostate of a subject afflicted therewith a specially pre-shaped device previously frozen which thereby temporarily relieves the pressure of the prostate gland on the urethra (the tube that passes through the prostate from the bladder to the penis) thereby allowing a man with an enlarged prostate to urinate more freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Luther F. Mallasch
  • Patent number: 5390798
    Abstract: The present tray has a base with an imaginary center line running from front to back and evenly distanced from the left and right sides. There is a first orifice through the top of the base biased to one side of the center line. This orifice is adapted to receive a beverage vessel and includes a cutout running from the side of the base to the first orifice to permit lateral insertion of a beverage vessel into the first orifice. There is a second orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape and biased toward one side of the center line opposite the first orifice. The second orifice is adapted to receive a food plate. There is a first notch located on the top of the base on the front of the base near the center line. This notch is adapted to receive an area between a thumb and a first finger of a user. There is a second notch which is similar and located on the top of the base on the back of the base near the center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: G'-Ka International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Yanuzzi
  • Patent number: 5346095
    Abstract: An improved beverage can is provided, and has a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between and being integrally connected to the top and bottom walls. The side wall has opposing curved portions and opposing flattened or concaved portions. The flattened or concaved portions are oriented for gripping by person's thumb and fingers. One of the flattened or concaved portions is positioned below an opening in the top wall of the can such that the can is automatically oriented for drinking or pouring when grasped by a person. A circular ridge is provided adjacent the top and bottom walls of the can such that the can is rollable along a surface or track. The flattened or concaved portions also provide an advertising panel for the beverage manufacturer or distributors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Richard E. Deal
  • Patent number: 5301830
    Abstract: A container in the form of a beverage-containing can. The can has a top, bottom, and side portion interconnecting the top and bottom. The top of the can is provided with a pull-out section to provide to a consumer access to the can contents. The side portion is provided with a groove disposed adjacent to the top. This groove has a shape that is essentially adapted to the lower lip anatomy of a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Michael R. Muller
  • Patent number: 5294000
    Abstract: The present invention is a tray for supporting food plates and beverage vessels. It comprises a substantially flat base structure with an orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape and located to one end of the tray. This orifice is adapted to receive a beverage vessel. There is a second orifice through the top of the base which is circular in shape located at the opposite end of the tray from the first orifice. The second orifice is adapted to receive a food plate. There is a first notch located at the front of the base, adapted to receive an area between a thumb and a first finger when being held with the thumb on top and fingers on the bottom of the base. There is another notch located to the back of the base, adapted to receive an area between a thumb and a first finger when being held with the thumb on top and fingers on the bottom of the base. In a preferred embodiment, the second orifice has a surrounding recess tapered to receive an outer rim of a plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: G'KA! International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Yanuzzi