Patents Examined by Andrew Perreault
  • Wafer loaders having buffer zones
    Patent number: 9502274
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present inventive concepts provide a wafer loader having one or more buffer zones to prevent damage to a wafer loaded in the wafer loader. The wafer loader may include a plurality of loading sections that protrude from a main body and are configured to be arranged at various locations along an edge of the wafer. Each of the loading sections may include a groove into which the edge of the wafer may be inserted. The loading section may include first and second protrusions having first and second inner sides, respectively, that face each other to define the groove therebetween. At least one of the first and second inner sides may include a recess to define the buffer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Koan Hong, Byung Lyul Park, Jumyong Park, Jisoon Park, Kyu-Ha Lee, Siyoung Choi
  • Method and kit for customizing a golf ball
    Patent number: 9492714
    Abstract: A method and system for making a golf ball core is disclosed. The method may generally include forming a golf ball core out of a raw core material. The golf ball core may be rapidly heated to begin curing (or vulcanizing) from the outermost surface toward the center of the golf ball core. Before curing the entire golf ball core, the golf ball core may be quenched to stop the curing process. As a result, the golf ball core may include an outer cured zone and an inner uncured zone. In this state, the golf ball core may be incorporated into a finished golf ball to be sold to consumers. Following a set of instructions provided with the golf ball, the consumer may heat the golf ball and a cure indicator to customize the properties of the golf ball core, and, thus, the characteristics of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Bender
  • Carton with article protection feature
    Patent number: 9487320
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises at least one panel that can form an interior of the carton. The carton comprises at least one protection feature for protecting the articles from breakage. The article protection feature can comprise at least one feature in end flaps of the carton. The article protection feature can comprise an article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article protection flap can be moveable between a first position and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Container having dunnage components movable in opposite directions
    Patent number: 9481489
    Abstract: A container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse has a base and opposite sides. The container has multiple levels of dunnage components, the dunnage components of at least one level being movable between open and closed positions to enable an operator to load and unload products more easily. The dunnage components of at least one level may have openings through which pass guides supported at least partially by the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Bradford Company
    Inventors: Judson A. Bradford, Timothy A. Bublitz, Brian T. Dobrinski, Matthew S. Sanger, Donald J. Bazany
  • Packaged antimicrobial medical device having improved shelf life and method of preparing same
    Patent number: 9474524
    Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture having improved shelf life. The method comprising the steps of providing an inner package having a source of antimicrobial agent, providing an adsorbent material effective to adsorb a portion of the antimicrobial agent over time, positioning a suture within the inner package, the suture comprising one or more surfaces, covering the inner package with an outer package having an inner surface and subjecting the suture, the inner package and the inner surface of the outer package to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the suture and the inner package, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the inner package, wherein the packaged antimicrobial suture exhibits improved shelf life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Fischer, Howard Scalzo, Henry Pokropinski, Jr.
  • Package for surgical implants and instruments
    Patent number: 9474686
    Abstract: A package and method of packaging a surgical implant or surgical instrument are described. The package comprises a container and a holder having a recess arranged to receive a portion of a surgical implant or instrument, or a component coupled to the surgical implant or instrument. The holder is arranged to be at least partially received within the container. The holder has a first configuration in which the mouth of the recess is arranged to partially surround a portion of an implant or instrument, or a component coupled to the surgical implant or instrument, such that the recess grips the implant or instrument in position spaced apart from the container when the holder is at least partially received in the container. The holder also has a second configuration in which the mouth of the recess opens to release the implant or instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FINSBURY (DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Kevin Neal, Thomas Stacey
  • Safety label covering an individual packaging
    Patent number: 9472124
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security label for protecting medicaments contained in an individual packaging, comprising a security layer (10, 110, 210) that can be stuck on the individual packaging. Removable elements (16, 216) are formed in the security layer (10, 110, 210), in the region of the medicaments (15) to be inserted, in such a way that cuts (17) are made in the security layer (10, 110, 210), on the edge of the removable elements (16, 216), said cuts (17) following a virtual cut strip. In order to produce such a security label that can be easily opened, but still provides protection against unauthorized opening by children or inadvertent opening, and can be produced cost-effectively, obstacle points are provided on the cut strip, forming a resistance when the removal element is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: FAUBEL & CO NACHFOLGER GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Ludwig, Reinhard Kuge, Marco Dieling
  • Safety lanyard equipped aquatic receptacle
    Patent number: 9463902
    Abstract: An aquatic receptacle with a sectioned floating rim that, while floating, maintains an opening for receiving articles into the receptacle. Embodiments can include an escape barrier over the mouth of the receptacle to prevent loss of contents while floating. One embodiment has a lanyard that can attach the receptacle to a diver, allowing it to float and be pulled along by the diver. A lanyard can have a breakaway mechanism that can detach the receptacle from a diver or other structure if sufficient force is applied to the lanyard. There can also be a shock-arrest mechanism that reduces the amount of force exerted on a diver or structure before the lanyard breaks. Force exerted on the lanyard pulls the floatable rim at least partially beneath the water surface causing the sections of the floatable rim come together and close over the mouth of the container to prevent loss of articles within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventors: Eric Daniels, Gwendolyn L. Daniels, Ian E. Daniels
  • Kettle with lid damping mechanism
    Patent number: 9456714
    Abstract: A vessel has a hinged lid. The hinged lid is biased into an open position by a spring. The lid is mechanically coupled to a damping mechanism, preferably concealed within the body or lid of the vessel. The lid is held in a closed position by a latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: BREVILLE PTY LTD
    Inventor: Gerard White
  • Jewelry storage system
    Patent number: 9439488
    Abstract: A jewelry storage system having a protective jewelry sleeve and a display board is disclosed. The display board has a rigid insert disposed inside a sleeve cover with at least one securing band wrapped fully around the sleeve cover and at least one clasp loop forming at least two open slots with a center bridge formed therebetween. The protective jewelry sleeve forming a sleeve with a single open end sized to dispose the display board therein. The protective jewelry sleeve having a closure cuff configured to flip over the open end of the protective jewelry sleeve and cover the open end of the protective jewelry sleeve disposed proximal the open end and an identification marker cuff configured to hold an identification marker with indicia of the contents of the jewelry storage system disposed distal the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Shirley Mae Davis
  • Device and assembly for supporting a pair of windshield wipers, and corresponding packaging and assembly method
    Patent number: 9434531
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for supporting a pair of windshield wipers (12, 26), each of which is provided with a structural element and a wiper blade (16, 30), the supporting device (10, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 200, 201) comprising a first and a second recess (14, 28), each of which is provided with means for retaining the respective structural elements of the two wipers (12, 26), characterized in that the recesses (14, 28) have an opening leading onto a single side of a supporting plane (P) in order to enable the insertion of the pair of wipers (12, 26) into the respective recesses (14, 28) from a single side of the supporting plane (P). The present invention also relates to a supporting assembly comprising a plurality of supporting devices, as well as to corresponding packaging and to a corresponding assembly method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Jehannet, Jocelyn Veret
  • Reconfigurable golf ball container
    Patent number: 9415278
    Abstract: A reconfigurable golf ball container includes a sleeve that is formed from a paperboard material and that defines an interior volume configured to hold a plurality of golf balls. The sleeve includes a perforated line disposed between a tool portion of the sleeve and a remainder of the sleeve. The tool portion of the sleeve is configured to be separated from the remainder of the sleeve along the perforated line to form a golf tool. The golf tool includes a first end configured to be inserted into a soil media, and includes a second end that is capable of supporting a golf ball more than 2.0 cm away from a surface of the soil media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Yutaka Kabeshita
  • Carton for articles
    Patent number: 9415915
    Abstract: A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise a bottom panel, a top panel, and a side panel. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps can at least partially form a closed end of the carton, and the at least two end flaps can comprise a first end flap foldably connected to at least one panel of the plurality of panels at a first fold line and a second end flap foldably connected to the at least one panel at a second fold line. The second fold line is oblique relative to the first fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Robert L. Sutherland
  • Pharmaceutical product container with permanent locking mechanism
    Patent number: 9414989
    Abstract: Various embodiments of pharmaceutical product containers are disclosed. Each pharmaceutical product container includes a cap, a container body, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is disposable from a locked state to an unlocked state at least when the cap is in a closed position relative to the container body (e.g., to define an enclosed space for pharmaceutical product). Once in the locked state and with the cap being in a closed position, the locking mechanism is unable to return to its unlocked state. Pharmaceutical product enclosed within the container with the locking mechanism being in its locked state may then be disposed of in any appropriate manner (e.g., discarded in the trash).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MALLINCKRODT LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Ziemba, Vernon D. Ortenzi
  • Injector piston nest
    Patent number: 9415155
    Abstract: A container for receiving or storing or carrying pistons for injectors, the container having a base plate and hollow cylindrical piston storage parts (the container being hereafter referred to as a piston nest). Each of the hollow cylindrical piston receiving parts is formed either by making it vertically penetrate through the basic plate, with one side of the base plate functioning as one opening end, and project from the other side or by making it vertically penetrate through the base plate and project from both sides of the base plate. Preferably, each piston receiving part has a swelled part where a part of the inner peripheral wall surface of the piston receiving part is swelled inward. The pistons for injectors are received in the piston receiving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: DAIKYO SEIKO, LTD., WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Togashi, Jansen Hubert
  • Cooking utensil holding device
    Patent number: 9408499
    Abstract: A utensil holding device for pots, pans, and other cooking vessels. The device includes a pot or pan having an elongated handle extending therefrom. A first support arm is slidably and pivotally secured to the handle, and a second support arm is pivotally affixed to the handle. The first and second support arms are each connected to the handle via hinges that allow the support arms to rotate between folded and extended configurations. In the extended configuration, the handle of a utensil can be secured between the first and second support arms so as to hold the utensil in place above the rim of the pot or pan. In this way, the present invention eliminates the need for a user to place the utensil on a counter or stovetop and suspends the utensil above the pot or pan for convenient access by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Jimmy Jacoby
  • Container and container lid assembly with a removable sealing gasket
    Patent number: 9394083
    Abstract: A container lid assembly configured to be used with and seal a container body is provided. The container lid assembly includes a container lid including a plug member extending downwardly and a gasket-retaining portion adjacent to and at least partially surrounding the plug member, where an outer surface of the plug member defines at least part of the gasket-retaining portion. The container lid assembly further includes a sealing gasket retained on the gasket-retaining portion and configured to provide a seal between the outer surface of the plug member and an interior wall of the container body, where the sealing gasket includes a pull tab that (i) extends away from a sealing portion of the sealing gasket; and (ii) extends downward away from the gasket-retaining portion of the container lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Klean Kanteen, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Cote, Sr., James Osgood, Jake P. Ganem
  • Cover device for a drink container
    Patent number: 9386869
    Abstract: A cover device (2) for a drink container comprises a basic assembly (9) which is provided with a drink opening (32), and a valve arrangement (20) for blocking or unblocking a passage to the drink opening (32) from a drink container side of the cover device (2). The valve arrangement (20) comprises a valve element (26) having two portions (27, 28) which are connected to each other through an area of the valve element (26) at a position where the valve element (26) is hingably associated with the basic assembly (9), and wherein only one of the two portions (27, 28) is in direct communication with the drink opening (32) of the basic assembly (9), so that a smallest total moment of force may be realized on the one portion (28) when the valve element (26) is subjected to pressure from the drink container side of the cover device (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILPS N.V.
    Inventors: Wiecher Ferdinand Kamping, Bastiaan Uitbeijerse, Peter Ronald Van Den Broek, Maarten Joannes Botman, Jacob Brinkert, Christoph Dobrusskin
  • Packaging device for liquid crystal panel
    Patent number: 9382040
    Abstract: The invention provides a packaging device for liquid crystal panel, including: first main body, further including bottom, and a plurality of side walls connected to sides of bottom, wherein side wall forming an opening; second main body, further including bottom and a plurality of side walls connected to sides of bottom, wherein side walls forming an opening; wherein opening of second main body slightly smaller than opening of first main body, and facing towards opening of first main body; second main body able to move adjustably into first main body; bottom and side walls of first and second main bodies forming loading space for loading liquid crystal panel. The packaging device can be expanded when in use for loading large-sized panels, and size of packaging device can be reduced when idled or recycled to enhance efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chong Huang
  • Dental capsule
    Patent number: 9370403
    Abstract: A dental capsule (10) for storing a dental powder component (13) and a liquid component (28) in separated condition in which the powder component (13) is contained in a chamber (17) and the liquid component (28) is contained in a pouch (18). The capsule (10) comprises a freely movable member (36) arranged to rupture the pouch (18) upon vibration of the capsule (10) so that the liquid component (28) admixes with the powder component (13) to form a dental paste (38). The compartment of the capsule has a manually removable cap (14) to enable the dental paste (38) to be retrieved for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SDI North America Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua James Cheetham