Abstract: A dishwasher basket having a container, an interior frame, at least one height adjustable rack, a lid and a connection assembly that hingedly couples the container, the interior frame and the lid together. The height adjustable rack may be fastened and moved vertically via a tray securing assembly to vary a volume of an upper compartment and a lower compartment. The lid may have at least one slot for securely holding a portion of a nipple or pacifier, at least one of which slots may be spaced to receive the nipple while the lid remains in a closed position.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 13, 2014
Publication date:
February 19, 2015
Applicant:
MUNCHKIN, INC.
Inventors:
Sung Yun CHAN, Nicholas TRUMBO, Thomas BIRKERT
Abstract: A low-profile barrier and method of installation is provided including a barrier door located in an opening defined by a frame having a pair of upwardly extending arms connected to a lower cross member. In an un-installed position, the lower cross member has a curvature biasing the upwardly extending arms outward. In an installed position, the curvature of the lower cross member is compressed to zero so that the lower cross member lays flat against a lower surface.
Abstract: A gate has an expandable barrier and a horizontal rail located at a top of the barrier. A post may be coupled to the barrier and may have a portion extending above the horizontal rail. A lock is movably coupled to the post above the rail to provide for the locking and unlocking of the gate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 13, 2011
Date of Patent:
October 21, 2014
Assignee:
Munchkin, Inc.
Inventors:
Adam John Yates, Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Thomas Birkert
Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 2009
Date of Patent:
September 16, 2014
Assignee:
Munchkin, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting and compressing a fluid. The apparatus comprising a valve having a vent and a compressible element attached to the vent. The vent and the compressible element define a flow-through channel therein. The compressible element has an internal space adapted to be elastically compressed and expanded. The valve is further adapted to regulate a pressure in a container when a predetermined pressure is applied to the compressible element of the valve.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 1, 2014
Assignee:
Munchkin, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven Bryan Dunn, Kevin Douglas Johnson
Abstract: A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 27, 2011
Date of Patent:
June 3, 2014
Assignee:
Munchkin, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 3, 2014
Assignee:
Munchkin, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
Abstract: A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 27, 2011
Date of Patent:
May 27, 2014
Assignee:
Munchkin, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
Abstract: A hook article that is constructed and arranged to facilitate attachment between two or more objects includes a fixed frame member and gate member. The gate member includes a first end that is pivotally hinged to the frame member, a second end movable with respect to the frame member to allow access into an interior space and a handle that is integral with the gate member. The position of the handle facilitates the process of and enables a user to easily open and close the gate member with a single hand, while protecting the fingers of the user against jamming. Upon applying pressure to the handle, the gate member pivotally retracts towards an interior space of the hook article.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 20, 2010
Date of Patent:
April 15, 2014
Assignee:
Munchkin, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Mark G. Tebbe, Eugene Bae
Abstract: A powder dispenser for a waste disposal system includes a mounting portion that is adapted to be secured to a waste disposal unit, and a container defining an interior space in which a powder such as sodium bicarbonate may be stored. The container is releasably mounted to the underside of a hinged lid member of the waste disposal unit. A directional dispensing system is provided for dispensing powder from the container into a targeted portion of the waste disposal system. The directional dispensing system is constructed and arranged to concentrate initial dispersal of the powder to a single side of the container and includes a dispensing orifice. The dispensing orifice is preferably oriented to limit initial dispersal of the powder within a defined angular range with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid member, and is spaced axially and laterally with respect to the waste disposal unit at distances that facilitate distribution of the powder to desired targeted portions of the waste disposal unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 2009
Date of Patent:
April 8, 2014
Assignee:
Munchkin, Inc.
Inventors:
Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson