Patents Assigned to Sparks International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6425480
    Abstract: A mobile-dining mealholder with a plate-lid and detachable bottle, the bottle including a narrow cylindrical neck with projections at axially-spaced positions, and the plate-lid including (a) a horizontal cap portion having a downwardly-extending cylindrical skirt with projections at axially-spaced positions such that the skirt detachably engages the neck and (b) a tray portion extending outwardly from the lower edge of the skirt and having food-holding areas about the cap portion. Certain preferred embodiments involve: the tray portion having depressed regions and vertically-extending portions positioned transverse to imaginary pivot lines across the tray portion to avoid excessive flexing; the tray portion being complementary to a shoulder portion of the bottle for enhanced support; and/or either push-on or quarter-turn engagement of bottle and plate-lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sparks International, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Krueger, Ronald A. Perez, Peter N. Jansson
  • Patent number: 6360885
    Abstract: A mobile-dining mealholder including a plate-lid and detachable beverage cup, the cup having a lip with an annular bead thereabout projecting radially to form a lower surface and the plate-lid including (a) a lid portion overlying the lip and terminating in a downward skirt having an inner surface with a necked-in portion around the skirt engaging the bead to provide snap-fit sealing, and (b) a tray portion having food-holding areas spaced about the lid portion, the cup, plate-lid, bead and skirt being configured and arranged to sealing engagement despite food-loading and usage forces. Food-receiving depressed regions have vertically-extending portions positioned and arranged tranversely with respect to pivot lines on the tray portion in order to avoid excessive flexing under food and dining loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sparks International, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Krueger, Ronald A. Perez
  • Patent number: 5984131
    Abstract: The invention is generally directed to a plate-lid for serving selected food items which are to be used in connection with a beverage container. An inner circular ribbed region of the plate-lid snaps over the annular ridge or rim of the beverage container thereby forming a seal to prevent spillage of liquid from the beverage container. The ribbed region includes a plurality of inwardly directed lands with a plurality of flutes of varying circumferential lengths positioned between the lands in order to space the lands about the inner plate-lid. The outer area of the plate-lid provides sections or wells for the placement of food stuffs and/or condiments. This mating means serves to resist lateral movement between the beverage container and the food holding section or tray when they are joined together. The plate-lid also provides the option for a straw insertion in a location where the straw will not interfere with the food items or condiments being served on the plate-lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sparks International, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Krueger, Ronald A. Perez
  • Patent number: 5954195
    Abstract: A tray is provided for serving selected food items, wherein the tray is to be used in connection with a separate elongated container, preferably of the type used to retain a beverage. The tray generally comprises a food holding section disposed to carry the food items, and structure for detachably mating or joining the food holding section upon the elongated container, for support thereby. Thus, the container, tray and food thereon can be readily supported and carried by a user as a single unit, by grasping the container with a single hand. In a useful embodiment the center of mass of the tray is substantially aligned along the container axis when the tray and container are joined together. Also, the food holding section and mating structure are usefully formed as an integral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Sparks International Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Krueger, Ronald A. Perez
  • Patent number: 5894977
    Abstract: A backpack assembly with top, bottom, front, primary back and side panels which together define a chamber within. A pair of shoulder straps are secured to the backpack such that, with the straps positioned over the shoulders of the person, the position of the front panel is generally parallel to the back of the person. The primary back panel is securely attached to a secondary back panel along the top edge and elastically attached along the sides forming a pocket in-between the back panels. When placed over the back chair rest, the pocket supports the backpack behind the chair. Thermal gradient pads and vibrational generation provide enhanced benefits of the backpack to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Sparks International Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Krueger, Ronald A. Perez