Patents Assigned to Planetary Design
  • Patent number: 11370586
    Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an internal cover/vent handle arrangement, in association with a container, such as a 5 gallon bucket with a slanted sidewall for evacuating air volume above stored material. The disclosure relates to a squeeze-actuated vent valve arrangement arranged and configured to be easily operated even while deeply recessed in the bucket. The disclosure also relates to a deflectable outer seal arrangement configured to seal against a slanted sidewall of a bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Planetary Design
    Inventors: Scott T. Billadeau, David J. Yakos, Joel R. Switzer
  • Patent number: 10633152
    Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an internal cover/vent handle arrangement, in association with a container, such as a 5 gallon bucket with a slanted sidewall for evacuating air volume above stored material. The disclosure relates to a squeeze-actuated vent valve arrangement arranged and configured to be easily operated even while deeply recessed in the bucket. The disclosure also relates to a deflectable outer seal arrangement configured to seal against a slanted sidewall of a bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Planetary Design
    Inventors: Scott T. Billadeau, David J. Yakos, Joel R. Switzer
  • Patent number: 9914573
    Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an internal cover/vent handle arrangement, in association with a container, such as a 5 gallon bucket with a slanted sidewall for evacuating air volume above stored material. The disclosure relates to a squeeze-actuated vent valve arrangement arranged and configured to be easily operated even while deeply recessed in the bucket. The disclosure also relates to a deflectable outer seal arrangement configured to seal against a slanted sidewall of a bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Planetary Designs
    Inventors: Scott T. Billadeau, David J. Yakos, Joel R. Switzer
  • Patent number: 9089239
    Abstract: An infuser having a non-porous region to selectively stop infusion. The infuser may be used in a vessel, such as a portable beverage mug suitable for preparing and drinking tea and other beverages. Methods for infusing contents (such as coffee or tea) into a beverage with the ability to stop the infusion process on command, and without having to remove the contents from the container or vessel holding the infuser. Once the beverage has reached a desired flavor, the flavoring ingredients can be pushed into the non-porous section of the infuser by pushing a press head to move the infusing contents into the non-porous region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Planetary Design
    Inventor: Scott Thadd Billadeau
  • Publication number: 20140242240
    Abstract: An infuser having a non-porous region to selectively stop infusion. The infuser may be used in a vessel, such as a portable beverage mug suitable for preparing and drinking tea and other beverages. Methods for infusing contents (such as coffee or tea) into a beverage with the ability to stop the infusion process on command, and without having to remove the contents from the container or vessel holding the infuser. Once the beverage has reached a desired flavor, the flavoring ingredients can be pushed into the non-porous section of the infuser by pushing a press head to move the infusing contents into the non-porous region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Planetary Design
    Inventor: Scott Thadd Billadeau
  • Patent number: 7494025
    Abstract: An internal cover (10) is used for enclosing the contents of a straight walled container (38) which consists of a disc shaped rigid body (20) having a recess (22) in the top surface creating a depression with an outside rim (24) extending around the edge and at least one valve air vent opening (30) within the recess. The body also has a circumferential groove (26) with a lip seal (36) disposed within the groove for sealing the cover to a container's side walls. A bail handle (40) is rotatably affixed within the body recess and has least one valve bore (44) therethrough covering at least one air vent opening forming a valve. When the handle is rotated to a vertical position an air flow path is created permitting the cover to be inserted into a container. When the cover is resting on top of the contents the valve is sealed by rotating the handle to a horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Planetary Design, LLC
    Inventor: Mark D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20070101868
    Abstract: A mug (10), specifically a vessel (20) incorporating a plunger assembly (30), that includes a number of fingers (42), is improved by positioning the fingers downwardly to contact the side wall of the vessel. The improvement also includes the following; a minor diameter portion (58) of the vessel sized to fit a motor vehicle cup holder. An open distal ended liner (62) intimately embracing a storage container compartment (60) formed on an inside surface of the outer shell minor diameter portion of the vessel. A closure base (66) removably engages the liner and encloses the bottom of the vessels storage container compartment. The closure base includes a number of inwardly facing spacer legs (68) that removably retain a storage container (72) including a detachable lid (74). The storage container provides a receptacle for such items as coffee grinds, tea leaves, sugar and creamer etc. such that the items may be conveniently available with the mug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: Planetary Design, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Porter
  • Patent number: 7194951
    Abstract: A mug (10), specifically a vessel (20) incorporating a plunger assembly (30), that includes a number of fingers (42), is improved by positioning the fingers downwardly to contact the side wall of the vessel. The improvement also includes the following; a minor diameter portion (58) of the vessel sized to fit a motor vehicle cup holder. An open distal ended liner (62) intimately embracing a storage container compartment (60) formed on an inside surface of the outer shell minor diameter portion of the vessel. A closure base (66) removably engages the liner and encloses the bottom of the vessels storage container compartment. The closure base includes a number of inwardly facing spacer legs (68) that removably retain a storage container (72) including a detachable lid (74). The storage container provides a receptacle for such items as coffee grinds, tea leaves, sugar and creamer etc. such that the items may be conveniently available with the mug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Planetary Design, LLC
    Inventor: Mark D. Porter
  • Patent number: 5121770
    Abstract: A valve operating on hydraulic pressure for the control of water being deposited onto evaporative pads located on a cool tower. The valve utilizes water flow to fill a basin or tank which is slowly being drained. When the tank is empty, a valve is opened that releases water to the evaporative cooling pads and also to the tank; when the tank is filled, the valve closes permitting the tank to slowly drain and repeat the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Planetary Design Corporation
    Inventor: Tommy L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5121768
    Abstract: A valve apparatus in which moisture sensitive material controls the opening size of a water valve. The moisture sensitive material is placed in an evaporative pad of an evaporative cooler. As the material dries, the moisture sensitive material constricts to open a valve draining a timing reservoir so as to hasten the refreshing of moisture to the evaporative pad. In an alternative embodiment, this moisture sensitive material located in the evaporative pad is balanced against an identical moisture sensitive material located in a constantly moisturized pad. This balancing of the materials permits fine control of the moisture content in the evaporative pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Planetary Design Corporation
    Inventor: Tommy L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5031415
    Abstract: A tower, or vertical shaft, equipped with a two stage evaporative cooler near the top. The chimney effect, in reverse, causes the cool air to flow by gravity down the tower. The air can be used for cooling and ventilating structures. In one embodiment of the invention, the ambient air flow is all that is required for the embodiment to operate and all reliance upon electrical energy is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Planetary Design Corporation
    Inventor: Tommy L. Thompson