Patents Examined by Andrew Perreault
  • Patent number: 9038846
    Abstract: A device for tempering food held in rectangular pan-shaped containers of standardized sizes. The device has two opposing side walls and a cover panel connecting the side walls at the top. A rectangular opening is provided in the cover panel. The size of the opening is determined as a function of the standard-size containers to be placed in the opening. A laterally projecting opposite edges of the containers extend beyond the opening. Two opposing groove-like slots are on each of side walls below the opening. A tub for the purpose of tempering has two opposing, laterally projecting edges which are dimensioned to extend over the edges of the opening when the tub is placed in the opening, and which can be slid into the opposing slots in the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: BHS TABLETOP AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Max Ottenwälder, Brigitte Johannes, Ralf Steiling, Manuela Küfner
  • Patent number: 9033143
    Abstract: A multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier is about the same size as a thick credit card and fits into a wallet. The multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier has bays that accept flash-memory cards. Larger bays on one side receive SD cards and a Memory Stick Duo card, while micro bays on another side of the carrier receive microSD cards and Memory Stick Micro cards. A carrier spine sandwiched between top and bottom covers has openings forming the bays. Spring-clip tabs on spring-clip fingers fit into notches on the side of the flash-memory cards to secure the flash-memory cards into the multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier to prevent loss. The spring-clip fingers are movable parts of the carrier spine that are deformed during insertion of the flash-memory cards. Both micro and standard flash-memory cards can be carried in the same multi-standard flash-memory-card carrier that can be placed in plastic sleeves for credit cards in a person's wallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Kingston Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Choon Tak Tang, George K. L. Shiu
  • Patent number: 9027783
    Abstract: A container including a sidewall having a top and bottom ends, a base attached to or proximate the bottom end defining a cavity bounded by the sidewall and by the base, and the base including at least a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness, such that the second thickness is less than the first thickness. A method for controlling deformation in a container including the steps of manufacturing the container as described above, filling the container with a substance, sealing the container at a top end thereof, inverting the container such that the container rests on its top end, allowing the substance to undergo a volume reduction resulting in a vacuum pressure within the container, wherein when subjected to the vacuum pressure, the base deforms at the second portion due to the second thickness being less than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Polytainers Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Houlton, Gabriel Fekete, Jason Collins, Robert Barrett
  • Patent number: 9027747
    Abstract: A protection cover support seat structure for tablet display apparatus includes a support member, a display adjustment seat and a connection assembly. The support member has a first end section and a second end section opposite to the first end section. The display adjustment seat is pivotally connected to the first end section via at least one first pivot member. An engagement locating assembly with elastic engagement function is disposed between the display adjustment seat and the connection assembly. One side of the connection assembly is connectable with the tablet display apparatus. The second end section is pivotally connected with a base seat, which is further pivotally connected with a board body. Accordingly, the tablet display apparatus can be co-used with the board body and rotated and tilted by different angles and supported in an inclined position in adaptation to different use situations and requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: First Dome Corporation
    Inventors: An Szu Hsu, Chien Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 9022217
    Abstract: A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps are at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. At least one end flap of the at least two end flaps is connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels by a connecting panel. The carton further comprises an article protection feature for protecting the at least one article. The article protection feature can be positioned on the connecting panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Murdick Holley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9016491
    Abstract: A novel cup is disclosed that may be collapsed and extended to hold cold or hot liquids safely. The cup preferably comprises a telescoping body comprising a plurality of rings of varying outer diameters, each ring having an outer wall and an inner wall forming an air gap therebetween, a leak-proof mechanism comprising an O-ring disposed about one or more rings, and a locking mechanism comprising an annular track disposed about one ring, and a pin disposed about another ring adapted to fit within the track and slideably engage it. The locking mechanism may further comprise a first magnet seated within the air gap of a first ring, and a second magnet seated within the air gap of a second ring, whereby the first and second magnets create a magnetic pull toward one another to help keep the cup in either a collapsed or extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jason A. Blum, John Adkins, Scott Hart, Elise Kiland
  • Patent number: 9004308
    Abstract: A lined transport tank for mounting to a truck is provided. The tank has a lined tank body. The tank body has an inner surface. A baffle is removably connected to the inner surface of the tank body. A retaining system is removably connecting the baffle to the inner surface of the tank body. The retaining system has a pair of elongated members fixedly connected to the inner surface of the tank body. The pair of elongated members is restraining movement of the baffle in a first direction. A retainer is connected to the pair of elongated members. The retainer is restraining movement of the baffle in a second direction. The second direction is different from the first direction. A retaining system for removably connecting an element to a surface is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ferus Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Eugene Spencer, Zachary B. Spencer, Travis Balaski
  • Patent number: 9004273
    Abstract: A tongue-lid package of the present invention has an outer box (2). A separation line (70) demarcating a U-shaped to-be-cut-off portion (72) is formed in a front wall (20) of the outer box (2). The separation line (70) includes right- and left-side perforated lines (80, 82) that form a part of both sides of the to-be-cut-off portion (72). The perforated lines have a plurality of perforations (84) and intermediate portions (86) between the cuts (84). The intermediate portions (86) of the right- and left-side perforated lines are arranged asymmetrically to axis X of the to-be-cut-off portion (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Tanbo
  • Patent number: 8998017
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container, a lid body and a method of seaming a container, in which the influence of a load at the time of seaming can be made as small as possible, in the container having a seaming flange portion and a seaming curl portion notched. In a container of a structure in which a seaming flange portion formed at an open end portion of a container body, and a seaming curl portion formed on a periphery of a bottom lid are seamed to be joined to each other, and in which a notch is formed in at least one of the seaming curl portion and the seaming flange portion, a short and small curl portion in which a width of protrusion of the seaming curl portion is partially short is formed in at least one of circumferentially opposite sides of the notched portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Oohori, Kazuhiko Tsukada, Ryuichi Amagai
  • Patent number: 8997989
    Abstract: A clamshell package for supporting an article is provided including a covered manufacturing hinge adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity. The first and second parts partially overlap to form a flange adjacent the manufacturing hinge. The second part includes an uncovered operating hinge, about which the second part is adapted to pivot away from the first part to an open position. The clamshell package includes a panel adapted to engage the manufacturing hinge and flange to retain the manufacturing hinge in a folded position, with the panel being spaced from the operating hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Display Pack, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor D. Hansen, George E. Raimer, Kristie L. Vos, Brian J. Pankratz, Michael J. Cramblet, Elliott R. Eckert
  • Patent number: 8991644
    Abstract: A system for creating containers configured for variable internal volumes is disclosed. The container is comprised of a removable lid that fits telescopically over the bottom section. The container's storage capacity is adjustable based upon the ability to increase and/or decrease the container's capacity by rotating the container lid prior to placement over the container bottom. The outside walls of the container bottom are comprised of key slot ledges of differing depths. Two opposing inside walls of the container lid are comprised of key ledges configured for engaging the key slot ledges of the container bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: David Sean Mattox, Bartow Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8978547
    Abstract: An improved cooking assembly and method is disclosed. The assembly includes a base pan for heating and boiling water. An inner pan is suspended or elevated above the base pan via a support member. Ideally, the support member allows water to flow over, under, or through it. A lid is disposed over the base pan, and a gap remains between the rim of the inner pan and the base pan. Optionally, the handle of the inner pan fits into a notch in the rim of the base pan to lock it into place, and a projection may extend from the handle of the inner pan to a receiving member in a handle of the base pan. The lid may be extended using a free-standing peripheral extender or an extender wall about the lid. Optionally, a grill may be placed on the inner pan, or poaching pans may be placed in the inner pan. Water is heated and transformed to steam. The steam is allowed to condense on the interior concave surface of the lid, and condensed water then streaks down the lid toward the outside edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: L. Paul Salvino
  • Patent number: 8978922
    Abstract: A metal food can including a metal sidewall is provided. The diameter of the sidewall varies at different axial positions along the sidewall. The can includes a can end coupled to an end of the metal sidewall, and a plurality of circumferential beads formed in the metal sidewall. The shape of each circumferential bead varies based upon the diameter of the section of the sidewall in which the beads are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Silgan Containers LLC
    Inventors: Gerald J. Baker, Rowdy H. Holstine, Jianwen Hu
  • Patent number: 8955674
    Abstract: A package comprising a carrier holding at least one container. The carrier can comprise a bottom panel, first and second inner side panels foldably connected to the bottom panel, first and second outer side panels foldably connected to the respective first and second inner side panels, and first and second top panels foldably connected to the respective first and second outer side panels. At least one container-receiving feature can comprise a first retaining feature extending in at least the first inner side panel and an opposing second retaining feature extending in at least the second inner side panel. A top portion of the at least one container can be at least partially retained by the first and second retaining features. The bottom panel can be at least partially disposed between the top portion of the at least one container and at least one of the first and second top panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond R. Spivey, Sr., Jean-Manuel Gomes, Colin P. Ford
  • Patent number: 8955677
    Abstract: A collapsible gift container comprises hingedly connected front, rear and side walls and a bottom closure having depending front, rear and side panels hingedly connected to the container walls, the front panel overlapping the rear and side panels and extending substantially the full length of the container between its front and rear walls, a note card detachably attached to the side border of a cutout in the front wall of the container, and a reversing tilted product receiving platform extending from the front panel having detachable portions forming one or more product receiving openings, the container foldable between a flat folded configuration and an open-top container configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Shirley Ann Ladler-Dennis
  • Patent number: 8944278
    Abstract: A clip-on handle grip increases the surface area of a handle. The clip-on handle grip includes a grip body configured and adapted to engage a handle. A lock member is engaged with the grip body, for locking the engagement of the grip body with a handle. Such a clip-on handle grip can be used to improve ergonomics, the therefore to improve portability, for pressurized gas cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: AMTROL Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: William Chohfi, Carlos Aguiar
  • Patent number: 8939308
    Abstract: A full aperture beverage end has a center panel, a countersink surrounding the center panel, a main score arranged in proximity to the countersink to define a removable aperture panel and a vent score. The beverage end is adapted for use with products that are pressurized to over 30 psi (200 kPa) when opened, and during opening the vent score is adapted to sever first, controlling the pressure differential between the external surface and internal surface of the center panel, thereby allowing the main score to tear in a controlled and reliable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey, Garry Richard Chant, Andrew Robert Lockley, Brian Fields, Martin John Watson, Eleanor Rachel Ann Hyde
  • Patent number: 8936149
    Abstract: A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can comprise a bottom panel, a top panel at least partially in face-to-face contact with the bottom panel, a handle comprising a bottom gripping portion in the bottom panel and a top gripping portion in the top panel, and at least one container receiver for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers. The at least one container receiver is foldably connected to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Smalley
  • Patent number: 8919562
    Abstract: A pallet-like base frame includes corner feet and a floor for supporting an inner container. Central feet made of metal are arranged between the corner feet, and which are attached to a foot frame, to which the floor of the base frame as well as an outer jacket of the inner container are fastened. At least one central foot of the base frame encompasses a profile body, which encompasses a U-shaped cross section, comprising a base wall, an outer journal wall and an inner journal wall, wherein the base wall and the journal walls embody an axial edge web at axial end areas of the profile body in a plane at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the profile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Protechna S.A.
    Inventor: Udo Schütz
  • Patent number: 8910791
    Abstract: A slot-type protection device for a plate-shaped product is disclosed. The device comprises a buffer component for inserting the plate-shaped product. The buffer component comprises a folding card and at least one buffer unit. A plurality of slots used for fixing the plate-shaped product are disposed on the buffer unit. The buffer unit comprises a carrying portion and a connecting portion. The slots are disposed on the carrying portion. Two ends of the connecting portion are a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end is fixed and connected to one end of a bottom of the carrying portion, and the free end cooperates with the other end of the bottom of the carrying portion. A connecting structure is disposed to allow the free end and the carrying portion to connect with each other. The folding card is held between the carrying portion and the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhilin Zhao