Patents Represented by Attorney Julian Flehr Hohbach Test Albritton & Herbert LLP Caplan
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Patent number: 6095375Abstract: Dust covers enclose the upper end of the push-pull bottle cap, the spout cap and the seal which projects through the central hole in the spout cap. The cap is formed with a neck over which the lower end of the dust over fits. The interior of the cover is formed with a plurality of short thread sections (e.g., eight). Above the thread sections is a circumferential locking bead. The cap neck is formed with a plurality of short protrusions (e.g., four) which mesh with the cover thread sections and a circumferential groove above the protuberances into which the locking bead seals. The cover may be pushed down without rotation to seat on the neck and also may be pulled up without rotation for removal. Alternatively, the cover may be twisted on or off, the protuberances meshing with the thread sections when the cover is in closed position its interior is sealed from entry of "wash down" water.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Rodger A. Moody
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Patent number: 6082567Abstract: A container, preferably of small capacity, such as a school milk plastic bottle, has a neck having an in-turned lip flange, a vertical surface spaced below the lip flange and an external shoulder below the vertical surface. A second external shoulder below the first-mentioned shoulder is preferably slanted upwardly-outwardly. A cap for the neck has a top and a skirt depending from the top formed with internal bead segments which snap under the first mentioned shoulder. The lower edge of the skirt fits tightly against the second shoulder to prevent the fingernails from being used to overcome the tamper-evident feature of the cap. A tear tab (preferably chevron-shaped in cross-section) depends from the skirt. An external, vertical scoreline adjoins the tab and at its upper end is adjacent a second scoreline which is formed on the interior of the top. Pulling the tab tears the skirt from the top for about 342.degree. of its circumference.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1997Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Bietzer, Kurt A. Krischke, Richard E. Repp
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Patent number: 6041510Abstract: This invention relates to an extendable level which, by means of two slidable extension members on a central body, can more than double its collapsible length. The invention comprises a device which can lock the level in any length from fully collapsed to fully extended. An attachment is provided which can convert the invented level into a large carpenter's square. Further, the extension level, with a scale on its top edge, can measure inside lengths between opposing wall surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Inventor: Charles A. Huff
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Patent number: 6003699Abstract: The neck of a container has a smooth seal surface engaged by the inner skirt or plug of a cap. Such surface is free of trim and parting line flaws which are characteristic of blow-molded jars because the surface is formed in such a way that the seal surface is not in contact with mold parting lines and further the trim (excess plastic) of the neck is located away from the sealing surface. In one form of the disclosure, above the sealing surface the neck wall slants outward and then bends upward-inward in a short, tapered stretch about 18.degree. to the horizontal which engages the underside of the cap disk to compress against the disk or a liner or foil. Other forms of seal surfaces are disclosed. The exterior of the neck is formed with shoulders which engage over locking beads on the interior of the outer skirt of the cap. Caps suitable for combination with the neck, methods of forming the neck and mold apparatus for forming the neck are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Sandor G Laszlo, Daniel Luch, Richard E Repp
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Patent number: 5988102Abstract: A pop-up thermometer having an elongate housing formed with a longitudinally extending bore, a plurality of internal neck regions, and a plurality of internal cavities. The neck regions each having a minimum diameter portion and a neck locking surface extending outwardly from the minimum diameter portion of the neck. An indicator rod slidably disposed in the bore of the housing includes at least one stem stretch having a diameter less than the remainder of the bore and a stem locking surface extending outwardly from said stem stretch. A fusible material fills the internal cavities. When the fusible material is in solid form, the neck locking surface exerts a substantially downward directed force on said stem locking surface on the rod to resist upward movement of the rod relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Volk Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Steven John Volk, Gary Myrle Thompson
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Patent number: 5991157Abstract: A module consists of a shroud or enclosure attached to a card containing heat-emitting electronic components or to a stack of two or more vertically spaced cards; one or all of which have heat sinks in thermal contact with at least some of the electronic components. The shroud is apertured to control air flow in many directions over the components and heatsinks. A hinge member extends along one edge of the module shaped to be inserted in a slot in a panel to establish a hinge. As the shroud is pivoted about the hinge, horizontal electrical contacts on the panel and at least one card interengage and vertical contacts on one of the cards remote from the hinge simultaneously interengage. The contour of the shroud aids in installing or removing the module.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: David K. J. Kim, Barry Marshall, Ronald Barnes
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Patent number: 5975321Abstract: A tamper-evidencing, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has a neck stretch with multiple neck threads and a locking wall below the neck stretch with a plurality of external teeth. The closure has an upper skirt with multiple closure threads which mate with the neck threads and a tamper-evidencing band with a plurality of internal teeth shaped and positioned to engage the external teeth. The teeth are shaped to guide the teeth into side-by-side interengage during axial application of the cap to the neck.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Luch
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Patent number: 5975320Abstract: A tamper-evident closure and container neck. The closure has a top and a skirt depending from the top having at least one engagement member on the interior of the skirt which cooperates with at least one engagement member on the neck to retain the closure on the container neck. The closure includes a tab to facilitate removal of the closure from the container neck. The tab includes a longitudinal axis and wall portions extending outwardly from the axis and terminating in a plane spaced from the longitudinal axis for reinforcing the tab. Frangible sections prevent removal of the cap from the neck so long as the frangible sections are intact.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Bietzer, Kurt Krischke, Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
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Patent number: 5969950Abstract: A slug or plate of copper or some other material having high heat conductivity is attached by an adhesive such as epoxy to a heat-emitting electrical component such as a chip, ASIC, microprocessor, or the like. A heat sink having a base and a plurality of fins upstanding from the base is attached to the slug or plate by screws, nuts or other, preferably detachable, means. The bottom of the base may be formed with a socket to receive the slug. The heat sink may be larger than the slug, thereby improving heat dissipation. When it is necessary to replace the component, the heat sink is detached from the slug and re-used.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventor: Mohammed Tantoush
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Patent number: 5964362Abstract: The neck of a container has a smooth seal surface engaged by the inner skirt or plug of a cap. Such surface is free of trim and parting line flaws which are characteristic of blow-molded jars because the surface is formed in such a way that the seal surface is not in contact with mold parting lines and further the trim of the neck (excess plastic) is located away from the sealing surface. In one form of the disclosure, above the sealing surface the neck wall slants outward and then bends upward-inward in a short, tapered stretch about 18.degree. to the horizontal which engages the underside of the cap disk to compress against the disk or a liner or foil. In another form of the invention, above the seal surface the neck extends outward and the upward and then inward in a flange which is trimmed along a line which has a circumference no less than the circumference of the seal surface. The exterior of the neck is formed with shoulders which engage over locking beads on the interior of the outer skirt of the cap.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Laszlo G. Sandor, Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
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Patent number: 5957312Abstract: A fitment for use as a pour spout for a paper carton or flexible bag for liquids and powders has a flange which may be welded around a hole in the carton or bag. A spout projecting outward from the flange is provided with a removable membrane integral with the interior of the spout. Preferably the membrane is concave. A horizontally disposed pull ring is attached to the membrane by a connector so that pulling the ring removes the membrane by fracturing the tear line at the juncture of the outer edge of the membrane and the projection. A cap snaps over the spout and may be removed by unscrewing the complementary threads on cap and spout. Optionally, a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt engages the exterior of the spout so that the cap cannot be removed without breaking the frangible connection. Various means for detachably securing the fitment to a spud during delivery of the fitment from a chute to the interior of a carton are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Daniel Luch, Rodger A. Moody
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Patent number: 5957465Abstract: A PCI card is inserted through an I/O opening in a computer panel. On one edge of the card is a cover from one end of which projects a tab. A resilient gasket is attached to the panel to create a flexible EMC seal around the opening. Preferably the gasket is formed of tin-plated beryllium copper. The gasket has alternate staggered spring fingers oriented opposite to the direction of insertion of the PCI card. To retain the gasket the panel is formed with slots at either end and an outward struck projection at the middle. The gasket is formed with a tongue at either end to be inserted in one of the slots and a punched-out opening to receive the projection.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Derrick Gonsalves, Kenneth Kitlas, Robert Antonnucio, William Izzicupo, James Carney, Mark Pugliese, Joseph Spano, Mathew Palazola, David Desilets
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Patent number: 5943215Abstract: PCI cards are plugged into vertical risers, the lower edges of which have been plugged into a motherboard. This involves a considerable force being applied to the riser card, both during insertion and removal, and may damage the card or the underlying motherboard. A support for the top edge of the riser card clips onto the upper end thereof. Rearward extensions of the support are gripped by tabs struck out of a wall of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: James Carney, David Desilets, Clifford Willis
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Patent number: 5915574Abstract: A fitment for use as a pour spout for a paper carton or flexible bag for liquids and powders has a flange which may be welded around a hole in the carton. A spout projecting outward from the flange is provided with a removable membrane integral with an inward projection positioned on the interior of the spout approximately midway of its height. Preferably the membrane is concave. A horizontally disposed pull ring is attached to the membrane by a connector so that pulling the ring removes the membrane by fracturing the tear line at the juncture of the outer edge of the membrane and the projection. A cap snaps over the spout and may be removed by unscrewing the complementary threads on cap and spout. A tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt engages the exterior of the spout so that the cap cannot be removed without breaking the fragible connection.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1998Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Portola Packaging, IncInventors: Brian M. Adams, Rawson L. Chenault, Laszlo G. Sandor, Daniel Luch
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Patent number: 5912799Abstract: An enclosure is assembled from metal-plated rigid structural foam plastic components to house in minimal space in many hard disk drives. Major components, including the power supply, plug directly to a motherboard at the rear of the enclosure, eliminating internal cables. The parts fit together in snap-in fashion in such manner that the back will not close if parts are not installed properly. For ventilation, slots are formed in the sides and a central partition which permit air from fans on one side to flow laterally across all the disk drives and then out through slots in the opposite side. A side facing door permits easy access to all drives simultaneously for service and upgrade.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1996Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: William Grouell, Michael McCormick, Craig M. Leveralt, Ronald Barnes
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Patent number: 5909827Abstract: A two-piece cap for a water bottle comprises a main cap which has an annular top disk formed with a depending central well having three levels, each of a slightly smaller diameter. The main cap skirt which depends from the periphery of the top disk has an upper cylindrical portion formed with a truncated internal screw thread which merges into a horizontal bead extending about 180.degree. around the interior of the cap and terminates in a reverse thread portion which extends upward to merge with the leading edge of the truncated screw thread. Below the upper skirt portion is a downward-outward slanted conical portion merging with a lower cylindrical skirt portion having an internal locking bead. A first vertical score line extends from the bottom edge of lower skirt portion to the upper edge of the slanted portion. A second vertical score line, spaced a short distance from the first vertical score line, extends from the bottom edge of the lower skirt portion to the top disk.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1998Date of Patent: June 8, 1999Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Steven Bietzer, Brian M. Adams, Daniel Luch
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Patent number: 5892655Abstract: A plate formed with louvers and a depression to heat engage a hard disk drive motor is attached to such a drive. Heat from the motor is transferred to the plate. The louvers dissipate heat especially if they are in the path of a blower. The plate also protects the user from contact with drive components if touched during installation or removal of the drive while the drive is connected to a computer while electrically energized.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventor: William L. Grouell
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Patent number: 5884988Abstract: A "tower"-type computer has a metal frame or chassis enclosed in an ornamental plastic housing. One side of the plastic housing with an attached metal liner is detachable for access to the interior of the chassis. The upper front corner of the chassis is provided with a metallic subframe. The front of the chassis is substantially open in front of this subframe and is formed with ventilation holes below the subframe. A detachable main bezel, divided into three vertically separated sections, covers the front of the chassis. The upper section of the main bezel is substantially open but is provided with ears so that fasteners can connect the ears to the front of the chassis. A peripheral bezel snaps onto this upper section of the main bezel and is provided with three openings which are covered with removable fillers. When a filler is removed, a computer peripheral may be inserted through the peripheral bezel into tracks in a bracket installed in the subframe.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Khim Foo, Steven Furuta, Thanh Tran, Kenneth Kitlas
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Patent number: 5862629Abstract: One form of the invention employs two each of two different flexible parts to provide a soil retainer for plants on a hillside. Each part has one straight edge, an opposed slanted edge, a first side having a first pattern of hinge knuckles and a second side having a second pattern of hinge knuckles. The slanted edges are reversed in direction in the different flexible parts and their hinge knuckles are complementary. A first pair of two different parts is assembled by fitting their first hinge knuckles together and a second pair of parts is similarly assembled. The second pattern of hinge knuckles of the two pairs of parts are assembled. Long, staple-like pins fit through the holes of assembled knuckles and are driven into the soil. The retainer extends higher on the uphill side and lower on the downhill side. To increase the circumference of the retainer third parts may be inserted between the parts of one or both pairs.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1997Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Inventor: Ziyad A. Sulyman
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Patent number: D403566Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Inventor: Daniel F. Marsh