Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Dunlap, Codding & Rogers, P.C.
  • Patent number: 6161784
    Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning and dispensing a mixture of wet and dry insulation material is provided. The apparatus includes a hopper with a partition disposed in the hopper so as to define a wet material receiving compartment and a dry material receiving compartment. A plurality of shafts are rotatably and longitudinally supported in the hopper. The shafts are provided with helically arranged spikes which serve to incorporate the wet and dry insulation material together, as well as condition the insulation material. A lower shaft acts to convey the wet insulation material to an air lock while a pair of upper shafts function to incorporate the dry insulation material into the wet insulation material at various points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Western Fibers, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul H. Horton
  • Patent number: 6161330
    Abstract: A plant package comprising a flower pot and a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is provided with a base portion, a skirt portion and an upper portion. The base portion of the sleeve surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot, and the skirt portion of the sleeve extends from the base portion. The upper portion of the sleeve is detachably connected to the skirt portion of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust Int'l, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6159432
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus are provided for converting a gas stream containing hydrocarbons to a reaction product containing effluent molecules having at least one carbon atom, having at least one interior surface and at least one exterior surface, a first electrode and a second electrode with the first and second electrodes being selectively movable in relation to each other and positioned within the housing so as to be spatially disposed a predetermined distance from each other, a plasma discharge generator between the first and second electrodes, gas stream introducer and a collector for collecting the reaction product effluent produced by the reaction of the gas stream containing hydrocarbons with the plasma discharge between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Richard G. Mallinson, Lance Lobban, Chang-jun Liu
  • Patent number: 6156398
    Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example, and a novel article formed utilizing such a system. The article forming system includes a male die, a female die and a platform having a support surface and an opening extending through the support surface. The female die is disposed generally within the opening in the platform with the upper end of the female die being disposed near the support surface. The article forming system includes means for slidingly holding portions of the sheet of material generally against portions of the support surface while permitting such held portions to slide on the support surface during the forming of the article for cooperating in forming a decorative border on the decorative flower pot cover type of article which flares generally away from the flower pot object when the decorative flower pot cover article is applied to the flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Erwin H. Weder, R. E. Jack Dunn, Franklin J. Craig, Herbert R. Weder
  • Patent number: 6155445
    Abstract: A basket wrapping material forming a bow in a wrapping about an outer periphery of a basket. The basket wrapping material forms both a bow and a closure in the sheet of material about a basket. Methods of wrapping a basket with a basket wrapping material which forms both a bow and a closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Kenneth T. Barker
  • Patent number: 6155482
    Abstract: A mail delivery signal kit which includes a magnet which can be mounted on a side or face of a mailbox door, a tethering device which is anchored to a portion of the mailbox, a stopper constructed of a metallic material which will connect to the magnet and which can be attached to one end of the tether, and a visual indicator device which can be retained on the tethering device, and which is adapted to be stopped by the stopper attached to the tethering device. A delivered mail indicating system is formed when the mail delivery signal kit is installed on a rural-type streetside mailbox. The delivered mail indicating system is activated when the stopper is magnetically connected to the magnet on the mailbox door. Opening of the mailbox door pulls the magnet away from the stopper until the stopper disconnects from the magnet, causing the stopper to fall below the mailbox wherein the visual indicator device drops down the tether and is arrested at the end of the tether by the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: William W. Perry
  • Patent number: 6151869
    Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping hamburgers or other food items is provided, the wrapping material having a bonding material disposed on either an upper surface or a lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6151865
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering portions of an object having an outer peripheral surface with a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive on at least a portion of the lower surface by wrapping the sheet of material about portions of the outer peripheral surface and positioning the sheet of material so that the pressure sensitive coating either contacts portions of the outer peripheral surface of the object and is bonded thereto or contacts overlapping portions of the sheet of material and is bonded to other adjacent portions of the sheet of material having the pressure sensitive coating thereon or overlapping portions of the sheet of material are bonded by the pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6151829
    Abstract: A method for providing a decorative cover for a floral grouping wherein the decorative cover is provided with a design indicia bearing portion which extends above the remainder of the decorative cover and thereby enhances the visual aesthetic effect of the decorative cover. The decorative cover is formed from a sheet of material having a design indicia and an opening extending therethrough wherein the opening is offset from a central portion of the sheet of material in a direction generally away from the indicia bearing portion of the sheet of material. A lower portion of a stem end of a floral grouping is inserted through the opening in the sheet of material and the sheet of material is wrapped about the floral grouping to provide a decorative cover having a design indicia bearing portion which extends above the remainder of the decorative cover and thereby enhances the visual aesthetic effect of the decorative cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6151830
    Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion and skirt portion. The sleeve may have an upper protective sleeve portion which can surround a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed thereby allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base portion. The sleeve has a plurality of folds comprising expansion elements for allowing portions of the base portion to expand, and portions of the skirt portion to extend angularly, when a pot is disposed within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6151831
    Abstract: A sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer periphery, a plurality of indentations in the outer periphery, portions of the sheet of material surrounding the indentations overlapping to form an article having a substantially smooth outer peripheral surface. Methods of forming and using an article, such as a flower pot cover article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Lisa A. Straeter
  • Patent number: 6145274
    Abstract: A plant package assembly, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve having curved, circumferentially oriented detaching elements. The sleeve is positioned about the pot so that a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, and an upper portion of the sleeve extends upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping contained within the pot. The upper portion of the sleeve is removable via the detaching elements, leaving a curved upper end of the lower portion which extends upwardly focusing attention on the upper portion of the floral grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust Internaional, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6141906
    Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6142202
    Abstract: An anti-skid apparatus for a tire is provided. The anti-skid apparatus includes a traction member that is positionable across the tread of the tire and a fastening assembly which is connected to the first and second ends of the traction member and extended through an opening in the wheel on which the tire is mounted. The fastening assembly tightens the traction member to maintain the traction member in engagement with the tread of a tire. A modified tire rim having a passageway extending therethrough for use with the anti-skid apparatus of the present invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Jerry Hicks
  • Patent number: 6142299
    Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve or sheet of material having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material or both and a detaching means such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material. The floral grouping is placed on the sheet of material which is wrapped thereabout, or the floral grouping is disposed in the interior space of the sleeve. The cinching tab is attached near one end of the sheet or sleeve. The cinching tab has a bonding material disposed thereon which, when the cinching tab is pulled tightly about the wrapper, causes the wrapper to be crimped and tightly bound about the stems of the floral grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter
  • Patent number: 6140722
    Abstract: An improved alternator system for replacing an OEM Ford IAR alternator system. The improved alternator system includes a rectifier with increased heat dissipation qualities and decreased heat generation qualities and configured to maintain secure electrical connections. The alternator system is further configured to provide optimum electrical output by providing the rotor and the stator with additional turns or windings of heavier gauge wire whereby the alternator is capable of inducing a stabilized output current of at least about 52 amperes of current at about 1600 revolutions per minute of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Unit Parts Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Ballard, Larry Joe Maddox
  • Patent number: 6138409
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a sheet of material having a design indicia bearing portion and an opening adapted to receive a lower portion of a flower pot wherein the opening is offset from a central portion of the sheet of material in a direction generally away from the indicia bearing portion of the sheet of material; (b) disposing a lower portion of a flower pot in the opening in the sheet of material; and (c) forming the sheet of material into a decorative cover about the flower pot such that the indicia bearing portion of the decorative cover extends above the remainder of the decorative cover and thereby enhances the visual aesthetic effect of decorative cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: D432857
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: TLC International, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih Ming-Shiue
  • Patent number: D434698
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter
  • Patent number: D435160
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Robert V. Macias