Having Slot Facilitating Grasping Of Article Patents (Class 221/309)
  • Patent number: 8967427
    Abstract: A portable eye protection system and method is disclosed. The eye protection system includes a dispensing case and substantially flat eyewear articles received therein. The eyewear articles include at least one eye cover and a backing. The eye cover can be shifted into an eye-covering configuration to protect a user's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Christine K. Hogan
  • Patent number: 8960497
    Abstract: A dispenser holds a number of shotgun shells, which a shooter can retrieve quickly one or two at a time, to reload the shotgun. The shells that remain in the dispenser do not rattle around loosely but rather are held in position in the dispenser, from which position they can easily be extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Lefeber
  • Patent number: 8910826
    Abstract: A dispenser is described for dispensing sheeted cleaning media, such as disposable hand towels, in a residential or household setting using the existing towel bar for a means of placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Gregg R. Rapala
  • Patent number: 8870023
    Abstract: A cup rack includes a cup rack body for receiving multiple cups in a stack, and a base for supporting the storage cups in the cup rack body and defining an access port for finger access to pick up the cups individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Dongguan Master United Plastic & Hardware Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Yu Tsai
  • Patent number: 8752729
    Abstract: The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a combination dispensing and disposal container (1) having a dispensing end (2) with a dispensing opening (3) for dispensing new items, such as facial tissue, wet wipes, candy, etc. On the opposite end of the container is a disposal end (4) with a disposal opening (5) for accepting trash. A bladder (6) located inside of the container separates a storage compartment (7) where new items are held from a disposal compartment (8) where trash is held. In addition to or in lieu of a bladder, a rigid partition (9) may also separate the storage compartment from the disposal compartment. One or more lids (10, 11) keeps the dispensing and end and the disposal end sealed when not in use. An additional feature is a strap (12) that allows a user to attach the tissue container to his or her wrist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Susan C. Maccario
  • Patent number: 8720743
    Abstract: A paperboard carton for receiving articles in two or more layers separated by a divider pad is provided. The divider pad is secured relative to an end panel arrangement at one end of the carton. The carton has a top panel, a base panel and a pair of opposite sides. One of the side panels has a removable portion adjacent one end, which, when removed, defines a roll out aperture for article removal when the carton is lying on the end panel arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Leslie Smalley, Zoe Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20140001201
    Abstract: A dispenser holds a number of shotgun shells, which a shooter can retrieve quickly one or two at a time, to reload the shotgun. The shells that remain in the dispenser do not rattle around loosely but rather are held in position in the dispenser, from which position they can easily be extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: SAFARILAND, LLC
    Inventor: Safariland, LLC
  • Patent number: 8444008
    Abstract: A tissue holder and dispenser includes a cuboid shaped housing having a front panel, two planer side panels and a planer rear panel as well as a planer bottom panel and an open top. The front planer panel includes a horizontal slot through which individual tissues are dispensed while one side wall includes a rectangular opening through which an empty tissue box can be ejected by pushing it out of the housing with a finger inserted through a circular opening on the opposite side wall that is aligned with the rectangular opening in the first side wall. The housing is constructed and dimensioned to hold from one to four tissue boxes with the top of each box facing a front surface of the rectangular front planer panel so that a slit in the top of the tissue box on the bottom of the housing will come into register with a slot in the lower portion of the rectangular front planer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Khaled Abdullah M. Al-Mahnna
  • Patent number: 8430238
    Abstract: This invention is related to a hanging, telescoping garment organizer for storing, displaying and dispensing rolled pair of socks or other small garments, comprising an upper and a lower container of elongated, tubular shape. The lower container can be telescoping inside the upper container to reduce the organizer's space when not in use. The lower container is held attached to the upper container by a plurality of snap hooks that snap locked with the corresponding locking edges at the bottom of the upper container. The front sides of both the upper and lower containers have vertical openings sufficiently wide to allow easy manual insertion and retrieval of rolled pairs of socks or other small garments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: Steve Moore
  • Patent number: 8302293
    Abstract: In order to ensure reliable feeding in particular of a clinch nut (M) from a ready position (16) into a processing position, the processing tool designed as a press-in tool (2) has a guide element (14), through which the clinch nut (M) is pressed into the processing position by means of a punch (8) against an elastic holding force exerted by the guide element (14). The guide element (14) is designed in particular as a slotted bush and is arranged as an insert in a hold-down (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Richard Bergner Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Dehlke
  • Patent number: 8196775
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a glove catch apparatus configured for connection to an existing glove dispenser. The glove catch apparatus comprises a frame, and access opening configured to permit access to a dispensing hole of the existing glove dispenser, and a well configured to catch dropped gloves dispensed from the glove dispenser. In addition, a glove dispenser, mountable to a wall, is disclosed. The glove dispenser comprises a well configured to catch dropped gloves dispensed from the glove dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Fabian Alexander Ballesteros
  • Patent number: 7987768
    Abstract: A dispensing system for injecting a fluid into a number of containers. The dispensing system may include a turret plate for holding the containers and an injection system positioned about the turret plate. The injection system may include a piston for contacting a container. The piston may include an injection surface in communication with an internal spring such that the internal spring forces the injection surface against the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Charles Bradley Green, Paul A. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7931169
    Abstract: A dispenser having a first member rotatably engaging a second member to form a cavity from which sheets such as flat bags may be dispensed via a lineal aperture and a sheet-guiding member extending from the first member into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Barbara Erekson
  • Patent number: 7789268
    Abstract: An assembly for dispensing sterile lancets one at a time from a clip holding a plurality of lancets is described. The assembly is configured to dispense the lancets easily and conveniently under laboratory conditions where the lancet user is gloved and must manipulate the dispenser using only one hand while holding the animal being bled in the other. The assembly and its components are made of polycarbonate and rubber and are therefore capable of being sterilized by steam autoclaving methods or by other means of sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: William T. Golde, Peter Gollobin
  • Publication number: 20100187252
    Abstract: An after-market container that attaches with mating opposing members to a golf cart for holding golf balls for sequential dispensing from an interior cavity through an opening between a pair of opposing legs that each includes a projecting stop on an interior surface, with the legs flexible for moving from a first position for holding one of the golf balls retained by the projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: NEW POSSIBILITIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jason Smith
  • Patent number: 7735679
    Abstract: A refillable sheet dispenser includes: a supporting base having two opposite first lateral sides and two opposite second lateral sides, each of which extends from one of the first lateral sides to the other of the first lateral sides; at least one stack of note sheets supported on the supporting base within the first and second lateral sides of the supporting base, each of the note sheets having two opposite lateral edges, each of which is disposed adjacent to a respective one of the second lateral sides of the supporting base and each of which extends between the first lateral sides of the supporting base; and a binding unit having a pair of elastically stretchable strips held tensely on the supporting base and extending from one of the second lateral sides to the other of the second lateral sides of the supporting base in such a manner to traverse the stack of the note sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Hopax Chems. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jen-Rong Liu, Tsung-Tien Kuo, Shu-Wei Ho
  • Patent number: 7731057
    Abstract: The new invention allows for easy retrieval of fall backs and eases the initial threading process upon initial opening/use of the package. Threading is done without removing the cap. Several of the embodiments allow refills to be inserted into the canister without removing the lid/cap. The layout of the dispensing system and the geometry and shape of the dispensing orifice/aperture minimize and mitigate product fall backs. The new invention improves performance of the orifices/apertures through unique geometry and shape as well as using different materials from existing products or the combination of multiple materials. Varying orifice diameter, co-molded density and stiffness or geometry of the actual lobes defining the dispensing aperture allows the precise amount of friction to be created in the dispensing opening for selectively grabbing or releasing the towelette, thereby tearing the towelette connecting perforations at just the right time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Union Street Brand Packaging
    Inventors: Christopher T. Evans, Christopher Gieda, David Schultz, Paul Bertram
  • Patent number: 7726515
    Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing and disposable tissue roll dispenser is disclosed. The tissue roll dispenser may be made from, for instance, a lightweight paperboard and may contain various design elements on the exterior surface. The tissue roll dispenser may contain at least one vertically stacked column of tissue rolls that are gravity fed through the dispenser. For instance, the dispenser may include an opening towards the base of the dispenser for dispensing the tissue rolls. In one embodiment, the opening may be covered by a plastic film that defines a slit. The slit may have a size sufficient to allow the tissue rolls to be dispensed therethrough. The plastic film may be used to protect the tissue rolls from dust, dirt and wetness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Crystal Espinoza Sherman, Rebecca Catherine Mohr
  • Patent number: 7686186
    Abstract: A container that holds the golf balls for sequential dispensing of golf balls from an interior cavity through an opening between a pair of opposing legs and a projecting stop movable from a first position for holding one of the golf balls between the legs and retained by the projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops. A method of holding and sequentially dispensing golf balls for play is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: New Possibilities, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Smith
  • Publication number: 20100000905
    Abstract: Containers and methods for dispensing test strips. Embodiments of the invention include a container and a cap or an insert. The container holds or stores the test strips and the test strips may be dispensed through the cap or the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Abbott Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Wang, Benjamin M. Rush, Frank D. Fujimoto, Edward J. Kupa, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7628292
    Abstract: A device for dispensing oblong objects comprising: (i) a main dispensing opening for allowing the objects to be dispensed to pass therethrough one by one; (ii) at least one other opening of elongate shape, one of whose sides opens into the main dispensing opening, the elongate opening having an opening width equal to or greater than a minimum thickness of the object to be dispensed; and (iii) guide surfaces for guiding the objects to be dispensed. The guide surfaces lie along front sides of the elongate opening and face the objects to be dispensed, so as to collect and guide the objects toward at least one of the elongate openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Airsec S.A.
    Inventors: Didier Lancesseur, Roger Nobilet
  • Publication number: 20090178942
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf tee container and dispenser having an elastomeric body with a plurality of apertures through which golf tees can be dispensed. Also provided by the invention are ready-packs of dispensable golf tees, as well as methods for containing and dispensing golf tees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: John Balazs
  • Publication number: 20090114669
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing sheet product is disclosed. The nozzle includes a base portion having an inner periphery and an outer periphery and oriented substantially perpendicular to a dispense direction of the sheet product. A sloping portion of the nozzle is disposed proximate a center of the base portion. The sloping portion extends from the inner periphery of the base portion toward the center in the dispense direction and terminates at an edge defining an opening of the nozzle. The nozzle further includes a lip portion disposed about the outer periphery of the base portion, and a retention feature extending from the lip portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Kip K. Decker, Todd R. Lappi, Alan P. Paal, Matthew T. Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20090032419
    Abstract: A ball carrier for transporting a plurality of balls. The ball carrier includes a sleeve having a diameter adapted to receive a golf ball. The ball carrier has a first open end and second frusticonical shaped end adapted to support one or more golf balls in the sleeve. A slotted opening is disposed in the second frusticonical shaped end and is adapted to secure various balls disposed within the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Benjamin John Kealy
  • Patent number: 7413101
    Abstract: A paperboard carton for receiving articles in two or more layers separated by a divider pad is provided. The divider pad is secured relative to an end panel arrangement at one end of the carton. The carton has a top panel, a base panel and a pair of opposite sides. One of the side panels has a removable portion adjacent one end, which, when removed, defines a roll out aperture for article removal when the carton is lying on the end panel arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Leslie Smalley, Zoe Wilkins
  • Patent number: 7374043
    Abstract: A carton with an improved dispenser facilitates access to articles enclosed within by providing expansive side recesses that expose at least one article on the lowermost row and the two end most articles in the uppermost row. The dispenser opening is defined by one or more severance lines extending at least partially across the top, end, and side walls, with a portion of the end wall remaining as an article stopper after the at least partially detachable portion of the dispenser is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Mead Westvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Holley, Jr., Aaron Bates
  • Patent number: 7364057
    Abstract: The multiple magazine carrier and dispenser for firearms is configured for rapidly dispensing ammunition magazines in a proper orientation to facilitate rapid reloading of a weapon. The multiple magazine carrier may be curved for either left or right hand use or may be uncurved, and carried on a torso and shoulder strap harness, vest, or other garment, as desired. The carrier has a thickness and height only slightly greater than those dimensions of a magazine, but has a length sufficient for the installation of a series of magazines therein in a front to back orientation. A spring and push plate or shoe urge the magazines toward the front of the device, where a dispensing opening is configured to facilitate grasping the first magazine in line in the proper orientation for rapid installation in a weapon carried by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Sean P. Carroll
  • Patent number: 7357254
    Abstract: A carton for dispensing articles having a dispensing feature is adapted for restraining articles within the carton until the consumer desires to remove the endmost articles from the carton. To erect the carton, a plurality of panels are connected together to define an end of the carton. A first detachable portion at the end of the carton may be detached from the carton to define an opening for dispensing articles from an upper or lower row of articles within the carton. A second detachable portion at the end of the carton borders the first detachable portion and may also be detached from the carton to enlarge the opening in an alternative embodiment. The second detachable portion restrains articles in an upper row of articles prior to detaching the second detachable portion from the erected carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Patrick Blin, Aaron Bates, Erica Watson
  • Patent number: 7328798
    Abstract: A carton for dispensing and retaining articles such as cans or bottles is opened by at least partially removing a first detachable portion and then by at least partially detaching a second detachable portion. Removal of the first detachable portion defines an opening for dispensing articles, and defines means for retaining articles in the carton after one or both of the detachable portions have been removed, such as a stopper wall. Removal of the first detachable portion provides access to the second detachable portion to facilitate subsequent and at least partial detachment thereof. The second detachable portion may be yieldable so as to variably and reversibly redefine or reconfigure the opening to enlarge the opening to facilitate removal of articles that are being dispensed, and to reduce the opening to retain articles in the carton that are not being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Patrick Blin, Aaron Bates, Erica Watson, John W. Cargile, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7287668
    Abstract: A soap holding and dispersing assembly includes a housing that has a bottom wall, a top wall and a peripheral wall that extends between and is attached to the top and bottom walls. The peripheral wall includes a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The front wall has an opening therein positioned adjacent to the bottom wall that extends between the first and second side walls. A coupler is attached to the housing. The coupler attaches the housing to a horizontally orientated upper edge of a door. A plurality of bars of soap is positioned in the housing and each is extendable outwardly through the opening in the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Richard Renaud
  • Patent number: 7264140
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing pharmaceutical samples is provided. The system comprises a dispenser base, a lid, and a dispensing portion. The dispensing portion further comprises a window, finger cutouts, and a front section of a spring plate. The front section may further comprise curved portions that assist in maintaining a pharmaceutical sample within the pharmaceutical dispenser until a user intentionally removes the pharmaceutical sample. A ramp located substantially adjacent to the spring plate guides the pharmaceutical samples down a loading chamber to the dispensing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Thomas Direct Sales, Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Stoddard, Michael John Nuttall
  • Patent number: 7118007
    Abstract: An automated Meds dispenser system including a staging station for systematic loading of Meds into vials and an automated Meds dispenser for receiving and for subsequent distribution of Meds containing vials at multiple times over a period of multiple days. User friendly on-board circuitry and controls are provided to set the desired Meds distribution times. A positionable indexer plate accommodates the vials containing Meds which are loaded by the user or health care professional and subsequently distributed and presented by the automated Meds dispenser on a timely basis one vial at a time for use by a patient. The positionable indexer plate is advanced one position at a time as specified and stored in an onboard programmable microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: CRY Twenty-Two, Inc.
    Inventors: Cleon R. Yates, Joe S. Guthrie
  • Patent number: 7104420
    Abstract: The inside of the box is divided into two seats by an inclined separator (F) that ends at two opposing sliding-out slits. The main faces (A, B) have two slits (A1, A2, B1, B2) and the separator (F) has a slit (N) parallel to the direction in which the items can be slid out. Two arms (L, L2; M, M2) are housed and secured in said slit (N) and their width is such that they reach said two main faces (A, B). In this way the inside of the box is divided into four spaces (two for each of the faces A and B) for identical or different items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: PROJECT S.a.s. di Massimo Menichelli & C.
    Inventor: Camilla Maffei
  • Patent number: 7086563
    Abstract: The parallelepiped-shaped carton made of paperboard or the like, for packaging and dispensing bandages or other products, comprises in at least one B of the two main faces one or two windows B1, B2 and in the internal volume of the carton a wall F with a sloping surface relative to said main face; said wall and said face define a slot K1, through which an individual product can be slid out in direction W1, by acting on it through said window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Projects S.a.s. di Massimo Memichelli & C.
    Inventor: Camilla Maffei
  • Patent number: 7073665
    Abstract: A carton for dispensing articles having a dispensing feature is adapted for restraining articles within the carton until the consumer desires to remove the endmost articles from the carton. To erect the carton, a plurality of panels are connected together to define an end of the carton. A first detachable portion at the end of the carton may be detached from the carton to define an opening for dispensing articles from an upper or lower row of articles within the carton. A second detachable portion at the end of the carton borders the first detachable portion and may also be detached from the carton to enlarge the opening in an alternative embodiment. The second detachable portion restrains articles in an upper row of articles prior to detaching the second detachable portion from the erected carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Patrick Blin, Aaron Bates, Erica Watson
  • Patent number: 7021460
    Abstract: An adjustable holder for sports equipment is disclosed. The holder is comprised of tubular material with elasticized openings at the top and bottom of the tubular material, at least one opening in the tubular material, a hanging structure attached to the top and an internal structure for adjusting the length of the tubular material. The holder is further comprised of at least one sports ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventors: Gerald Oliver Roeback, Elizabeth Sabrina Roeback
  • Patent number: 6902062
    Abstract: A dispensing package that is capable of accommodating relatively a large number of stick-like articles, of separating old and new articles and of storing remaining articles as disclosed. This dispensing package comprises a case for accommodating therein unit packages containing a plurality of stick-like articles like batteries aligned in parallel by stacking a plurality of unit packages, an opening for putting in and taking out the unit packages provided on an upper part of the case, a lid for closing the opening, and a tear-off portion for forming the extracting outlet that is provided on a side wall corresponding to the unit package in the lowest position. The extracting outlet is formed on a side wall of the case facing to one end of the stick-like articles in the unit package. A large number of articles can be effectively displayed and a specified number of articles can be taken out smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kumakura, Tadashi Ono
  • Patent number: 6722526
    Abstract: A cracker dispenser for dispensing individual crackers in a sanitary manner such as at public cooking events and at wine and cheese tasting events. The cracker dispenser includes a plastic housing for receiving a plurality of stacked crackers from a standard size roll of crackers. The housing is of elongate rectangular shape with a horizontal lower wall of a rectangular shape slightly larger than the individual crackers. Three upstanding walls include a rear wall and opposing side walls which extend from the lower wall to retain the plurality of crackers into a cracker receiving interior chamber defined by the housing in a stacked position. A movable door in the form of a sliding door or a latching hinged door is connected to the housing to selectively cover a cracker roll receiving opening formed at the front of the housing between the two side walls to admit crackers from the roll thereof and closing to cover the cracker roll receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Valentino Passetti
  • Patent number: 6719306
    Abstract: A sports equipment cart includes a first ball dispensing tube having upper and lower ends and defining a bore extending therebetween. The first ball dispensing tube defines an upper ball receiving aperture and a lower ball dispensing aperture. A pair of wheels are rotatably mounted to the first ball dispensing tube adjacent the lower end thereof. The first ball dispensing tube includes a handle for manually pulling the tube between desired locations. A second ball dispensing tube of substantially similar dimensions may be connected to the first ball dispensing tube in side-by-side relationship. A third ball dispensing tube of smaller dimension may also be connected to the first dispensing tube for holding smaller sized balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Larry J. White
  • Patent number: 6672476
    Abstract: A housing has two side walls extend upwardly from a floor to define a channel extending between a primer inlet and a primer outlet. A lanyard clip is fastened to the side walls adjacent the primer inlet, compressing the clip releases it, allowing primers to be loaded through the primer inlet. A spring is riveted to the housing floor with a protruding spacer segment facing the primer inlet, and a restraint segment facing the outlet. Multiple primers are restrained between the spring spacer segment and the primer inlet, yet the spacer segment may be deflected by pushing a primer toward the primer outlet until it is positioned on the restraint segment, and presented for engagement on the primer holder of an in-line action muzzleloading rifle. Pulling the dispenser displaces the primer to move along and depress the restraint segment, and dispensing it. A floor cut-out acts as a decapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Cash Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tedd D. Cash, David A. Butler
  • Patent number: 6669065
    Abstract: A holder for golf tees that has a housing with an open interior. The interior has two curved ends and a thin middle section that forms a “dumb bell” shape. A plate that has a matching dumb bell is fitted into the open interior. Two springs are mounted inside of the housing and are attached to the bottom of the housing and to the bottom of the plate. A retainer pin is placed orthogonally across the top opening of the housing. The pin retains the plate in the housing and secures any tees that are installed as well. Tees are placed into the housing by sliding the pointed end under the retainer pin and pushing down on the plate. To dispense a tee, a user pushes down slightly on the pointed end of the top tee, which raises the other end of that it can be pulled from the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher Bradley, Timothy Bradley, Thomas Knightlinger
  • Patent number: 6595106
    Abstract: Espresso coffee capsules (2, 2a) having an essentially rotationally symmetric shape, especially the frustum of a right cone, being fitted and slide into an essentially cylindrical magazine tube (1) of a magazine which can be set up vertically. The espresso coffee capsules can be stacked in the magazine tube (1). The magazine tube (1) has a removal opening (4) at the bottom, allowing the espresso coffee capsules to be removed. The magazine tube (1) has, at the top (5), an insertion guide (6) that has a side insertion opening (7) so that the espresso coffee capsules can be inserted simply and exactly into the magazine tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Eugster/Frismag AG
    Inventor: Arthur Eugster
  • Patent number: 6253930
    Abstract: A carton assembly for dispensing product members such as spools of wire and other rollable products having circular ends of the same diameter. The carton comprises a bottom, forward and rearward end walls, two side walls and a closable top. Within the carton each side wall has associated therewith one upper guide member, at least one intermediate guide member and a lower guide member. The guide members of one wall are mirror images of the corresponding guide members of the other side wall and are correspondingly positioned with respect to their respective side walls. The intermediate and lower guide members provide narrow sloping edges in parallel spaced relationship which maintain the product members in a row made up of zig-zag row segments, one above the other. The carton has a dispensing opening in its forward wall through which the forwardmost and lowermost product member can be extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: General Cable Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Freidus, James M. Ciesick
  • Patent number: 6189732
    Abstract: A golf ball carrier and dispenser in the form of a tube in which balls are stacked and biased to one end by spring action where an end opening smaller than the balls restrains the endmost ball from release. A side dispensing opening for release of ball is located adjacent the end of the tube so that when pressure is applied through the end opening, the endmost ball of the stack can be pushed downwardly and toward the exit opening for release of the endmost ball over the next underlying ball in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Douglas J. Althaus, Daniel J. Althaus
  • Patent number: 6182860
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing individual leaves of soap from a stack of leaves stored in the dispenser, includes top and bottom plastic case portions which are connected to and aligned by four pins extending from one container half into holes in the other container half. The pins are held in the holes by friction to hold the case portions together. A tool is used in a pry slot formed at the sides of the dispenser between the case portions, to pry the halves apart and open the case for replenishing the supply of leaves. The dispenser has an outlet slot with a length and width selected for dispensing one leaf at a time. A finger opening exposes part of the top surface of the stack near the outlet slot and is covered by reusable adhesive tape. The tape is partly removed to expose the finger opening and outlet slot so that a finger can contact the top leaf and eject it through the slot. The outlet slot has an upper lip overhang, over a lower lip of the outlet slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Bath & Body Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl P. Ruhl, Theodore J. Pierson
  • Patent number: 6102263
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a device for holding golf balls 30 having a vertically oriented magazine-like container 12 having a spring-loaded clip 14 on its side for being attached to the belt 16 of the user 18 or other golf paraphernalia such as a bag. The container 12 is equipped with an inner spring 40 on its inside upper surface for putting downward pressure on the balls 30. The balls 30 are also held inside the container 12 by vertical members 34 located in a spaced apart relationship on the interior of the container 36 and held in place by springs 44. The vertical members 34 are further equipped with a roller bearing 38 on their lower end which grips the balls 30 and prevents the balls from being discharged from the container 12 until the user 18 so desires. The container 12 is also equipped on its outer lateral surface with an aperture or notch 32 which allows the user 18 to insert his finger and remove the balls 30 from the container 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventors: Daniel P Rosato, James F Luginsland
  • Patent number: 6062424
    Abstract: A convertible package dispenser to dispense a plurality of identical, smaller packages, is provided by a parallelepiped carton having hollow interior sized to receive the plurality of packages arranged in a row. The carton is formed by first and second pairs of opposing, rectangular longitudinal walls and one pair of opposing end walls smaller in size than the longitudinal walls. First slot openings are provided in each of the longitudinal walls of the first pair proximal one of the end walls in order to remove packages from the carton. Another slot opening is provided through such longitudinal walls proximal an opposing longitudinal end of the wall to insert packages that were removed. Removable covers in the form of removable tab elements are provided over the slot openings to retain the packages within the carton until the carton is set up to dispense packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolina C. Simile-Gravina, Lesley S. Rodenhiser, Alissa F. Podheiser
  • Patent number: 5988433
    Abstract: A cylindrical unit of varying lengths which stores sports balls, with unit capable of attaching to any solid object in a vertical position, close to a sports court or storage area. The unit also serves as a ball transporter, carried in a horizontal or vertical position, with attached handles allowing sports balls to be moved from one sports site or storage area, another. A one piece unit with an opening at one end only, therefore reducing the sports balls exposure, to ball depleting weather, and offers security, by allowing the open end to be locked by a transverse rod across the open end. Balls are contained in storage unit by protrusions located internally, at the open end, positioned at the greatest apex of the ball allowing sports balls to be completely enclosed within the storage unit. Protrusions hold the ball at a distal position within storage unit allowing balls to be loaded and unloaded easily with a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Martin D. Crum
  • Patent number: 5950864
    Abstract: Flanged musket percussion caps are stored and dispensed from a portable hand held capper which has a linear channel defined in a housing formed of sheet material. The housing has a through channel which has a floor which is parallel to two partial top walls with a central slot. The top walls are connected to the floor by side walls which are inclined outwardly from the floor. By this inclined wall shape of the housing, the flanged caps are accommodated, while at the same time the narrow flanges of the caps are prevented from binding against any structure of the capper. The user presses a pusher forward to position a single cap through an outlet between a flexible steel spring and a dispensing wall, where the cap can be dispensed onto a black powder firearm nipple. The housing has a T-shaped hole in one side wall, through which caps can be loaded into the dispensing channel. Musket caps without a flange may also be dispensed from the capper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Cash Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tedd D. Cash, James M. Parker
  • Patent number: 5860362
    Abstract: A system which comprises a self-service newspaper vending machine (2) includes an electronic control means (34) with an on-line connection (36) to a news providing organization (38) from which a newspaper containing up to the minute news can be purchased. A customer is attracted by news stories shown on a display (6). The customer is then given the opportunity of purchasing a newspaper or part of a newspaper. Communication between the customer and the vending machine (2) is by the display (6) and a keyboard (8). The newspaper can be purchased by either inserting a banking or credit card in a card reader (52) or inserting coins into a coin slot (50). The vending machine (2) would then print out the up to the minute news requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Graeme Smith