Patents Represented by Law Firm Dunlap & Codding
  • Analytic plate with containment border and method of use
    Patent number: 5948685
    Abstract: An analytic plate such as a microscope slide or a diagnostic plate and kit having the slide or plate, the slide or plate having a containment border for containing a liquid or liquid sample. The containment border is substantially transparent and is substantially flush with the surface of the slide or plate for containing the liquid or liquid sample disposed thereon and thereby preventing spreading or migration of the sample across the slide or plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Lee Angros
  • Beverage dispenser
    Patent number: 5947339
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing a beverage from either one of two sizes of beverage bottles. The apparatus includes a base, at least one canister, an adapter cap, a valve assembly, and a pump. The adapter cap has two sets of threads. Typically, one set of threads fits a two liter beverage bottle and the other set of threads mates with a three liter beverage bottle. Further, the adapter cap has both a dispensing port and an injection port, each of which is in fluid communication with the contents of a beverage bottle attached to the adapter cap. A dispensing tube connects the dispensing port of the adapter cap with the valve assembly and an injection tube connects the injection port of the adapter cap with the pump. The canister has a pivotable front portion which may be opened to expose the interior of the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Soda-Flo, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Boshears, Victor L. D. R. Conner
  • Floral sleeve with detachable upper portion
    Patent number: 5944187
    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: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Apparatus and method for automatically forming an article
    Patent number: 5944646
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a female die and a male die. A sheet of material is positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The apparatus further includes means for supplying a stream of air between the female die and the formed article to release the formed article from the female die and means for holding the formed article against the male die as the male die and the female die are positioned from a forming position to a discharge position whereby the formed article is removed from the female die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G.. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk
  • Packaging material
    Patent number: 5944192
    Abstract: A packaging material comprising a plurality of cushioning members for cushioning an article in a container is provided. The cushioning members being formed by crumpling a flexible sheet of material into a globular configuration having a plurality of random folds, a plurality of random engaged portions, and a plurality of voids. The sheet of material has an upper surface and a lower surface with at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface having a bonding material disposed thereon such that at least a portion of the engaged portions are bondably connected thereby increasing the resiliency of the folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Soutpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Wrapper for a floral grouping having an adhesive tab
    Patent number: 5943819
    Abstract: A wrapping material for wrapping a floral arrangement, a flower pot, or for forming a flower pot, comprising a sheet of material, an extension of the sheet of material attached to the sheet of material, the extension having design indicia thereon, wherein the sheet of material is sized to wrap about and substantially surround and encompass a floral arrangement, a flower pot, or contain a floral arrangement or potted plant. Methods of using the wrapping material to wrap a floral arrangement, a flower pot, and to form a flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Lisa A. Straeter
  • Sleeve having expansion means for forming a skirt
    Patent number: 5941020
    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: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Digital disease management system
    Patent number: 5940802
    Abstract: A method for improving the delivery of health care for patients. A first data signal being multimedia data which is indicative of a patient condition of a selected patient is input into a local computer. Clinical data, cost data and administrative data relating to the health of the selected patient are also input into the local computer. The first data signal is combined with the clinical data, cost data and administrative data to form a first patient information signal which is transmitted to a central computer. A predetermined disease stage is then assigned to the selected patient based on the first data signal. The disease stage is combined with the first patient information signal to form a second patient information signal. Then, a first array of risk factors is computed from a database containing a plurality of previously obtained individualized patient information records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: P. Lloyd Hildebrand, Stephen R. Fransen, Gene M. Soderstrom Hopper
  • Device for connecting a fishing line to fishing accessories
    Patent number: 5937570
    Abstract: A device and method for connecting a line to a spinnerbait type fishing lure having an R-shaped shank without requiring formation of a knot in the line is provided. The device includes a coil having at least 11/2 turns and defining a shank receiving passageway. A first shank extends from one end of the coil, and a second shank extends from the other end of the coil. The first and second shanks extend from the coil so that the second shank is disposed at an angular relationship relative to the first shank whereby the first shank is biased away from the second shank when the first shank is drawn toward the second shank. The device further includes a line engaging hook formed on the first shank, and a line retaining loop formed on the second shank so as to be disposed a distance from the line engaging hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: H.A.L.A.Q. Inc.
    Inventor: Qaiyim Abdul-Raheem
  • Decorative assembly for a floral grouping
    Patent number: 5937576
    Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is constructed of a material capable of receiving a portion of a floral grouping and supporting the floral grouping. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material and a crimped portion is formed in the sheet of material with the crimped portion cooperating to hold the sheet of material about the floral holding material to provide a decorative covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter, Joseph G. Straeter, Michael J. King, Franklin J. Craig, Michael R. Klemme
  • Method of forming a flower pot or flower pot cover having a label incorporated therein
    Patent number: 5934044
    Abstract: A method of forming a flower pot or a flower pot cover is provided. The method includes the step of providing a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface with at least one of the upper and lower surfaces being a bondably connectable surface. The sheet of material has a label area which has information related to a floral grouping displayed thereon. The method further includes forming the sheet of material into a base having a closed lower end, an open upper end, and an object opening extending through the open upper end and dimensioned to receive a flower pot in which the floral grouping is disposed. The base is formed to have a plurality of overlapping folds that are bondably connected so as to retain the base in a predetermined shape with the information on the label area being viewable when the flower pot is disposed in the object opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of wrapping a floral grouping
    Patent number: 5934015
    Abstract: A wrapper, comprising a floral grouping having a bloom portion and a stem portion wherein the stem portion may have a bonding material thereon and a flexible sleeve optionally having a bonding material thereon, the sleeve being positioned about the floral grouping and the sleeve substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping, forming a wrapper attached to the stems of the floral grouping, and methods of using the wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method of wrapping a flower pot
    Patent number: 5930982
    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: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Soutpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Method for forming a cover about a flower pot
    Patent number: 5930979
    Abstract: A method of covering a pot means, the cover is a flattened sleeve which comprises a base portion sized to fit a pot and may have a non-linear upper edge defining a skirt and having a bottom having drainage means therein. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Wrapping material having a pull tab and pull indicia for both wrapping a floral arrangement and removing the wrapping material from a floral arrangement and method
    Patent number: 5930981
    Abstract: An assembly for both wrapping a floral arrangement and removing the wrapping material from the floral arrangement comprising a sheet of material having a pull tab extending outwardly a distance from the sheet of material, the pull tab being positionable adjacent an overlapped portion of the sheet of material and having a bonding material thereon for connecting the pull tab to the adjacent overlapped portion of the sheet of material, thereby securing the sheet of material in a wrapped condition about at least the stem portion of the floral arrangement. The pull tab is readily visible and graspable to remove the wrapping assembly from the floral arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc. as Trustee of The Family Trust U/T/A dtd 12/8/95
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter
  • Filtering apparatus having positively buoyant and negatively buoyant particulate
    Patent number: 5932092
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering contaminated fluids is provided. In a filtering mode, contaminated fluid is introduced into a vessel housing a bed of positively buoyant particulate material and a bed of negatively buoyant particulate material in a spaced apart relationship. The contaminated fluid is passed through the bed of negatively buoyant particulate and through the bed of positively buoyant particulate. In a backwashing mode, a backwashing fluid is passed through the bed of positively buoyant particulate to flush particulate contaminants therefrom. The backwashing fluid is discharged from the vessel at a location between the bed of negatively buoyant particulate and the bed of positively buoyant particulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventors: William D. Hawk, Gary D. Cryer
  • Sleeve having a detachable portion forming a skirt and methods
    Patent number: 5927048
    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: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Cover forming apparatus having pivoting forming members
    Patent number: 5927045
    Abstract: A cover forming apparatus for forming a flower pot or flower pot cover from a sheet of material by engaging a sheet of material about the outer surface of a mold, die or pot. The cover forming apparatus includes a plurality of pivotable forming members resting in a surface which supports a sheet of material upon which is positioned a flower pot mold or flower pot. When the forming members are pivotally moved from the storage position to an extended position, the forming members cause the sheet of material to be appressed to or engaged with the mold or pot. The article formed in accordance with the present invention may be separable from the mold or pot and usable as a flower pot or flower pot cover or may be more or less securely attached to the pot by adhesive, cohesive, barbs, friction pinches or other securing means thereby forming a decorative cover connected to a flower pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, Franklin J. Craig
  • Ligand or GMP-140 selectin and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 5929036
    Abstract: Fucosylated sialyated lactosaminoglycan structures that bind to GMP-140 have been discovered. The structure is created by expression of .alpha.(1,3) fucosyltransferases capable of modifying acceptors containing .alpha.(2,3) sialic acid-substituted lactosaminoglycans. Le.sup.x, Gal.beta.1,4(Fuc.alpha.1,3) GlcNAc.beta.1-R (where R is a protein or other carbohydrate structure), a common trisaccharide structure on myeloid cells but not on lymphocytes or erythroid cells, forms the core of this sialyated structure. The actual structure may be sialyl Le.sup.x, difucosyl sialyl Le.sup.x, a longer polyfucosylated polyactosaminoglycan, or a related variant. Several of these structures may bind to GMP-140 with various degrees of affinity. The carbohydrate structures, including sialyl Le.sup.x, difucosyl sialyl Le.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventor: Rodger P. McEver
  • Wireless telephone
    Patent number: D412903
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Shane K. Boyd