Patents Examined by Christopher B. McKinley
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Patent number: 8047395Abstract: The main opposite surfaces (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) of the inner (1) and outer (2) coverings are directly linked to each other by rigid coaxial linking elements (9;10), flexible linking elements (15) joining a main surface (5a) of the outer covering to an opposite surface (4b) of the inner covering (1) and vice-versa. The invention can be used for the storage of cryogenic fuel used as a power source for motor vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Laurent Allidieres, Florent Janin, Eric Faure
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Patent number: 8011524Abstract: A microwaveable packaged good article is described. The microwaveable packaged good article includes a container and an overcap. The container includes a base and a continuous wall extending from the base terminating in a chime. The overcap includes a panel, a neck extending from the panel terminating in a drip bead, and a skirt radially spaced from the drip bead to define a channel between the skirt and the drip bead. In this regard, the chime is received within the channel upon assembly of the overcap to the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: General Mills Cereals, LLCInventors: Michael R. Perry, Arne H. Bradner, Glenn M. Larche
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Patent number: 8011532Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a baking cup having a base section, a periphery section, and at least one tab extending beyond the periphery section. The tab(s) is configured to allow a user to lift and remove the baking cup from a baking utensil mold without having to touch the baking utensil or content of the baking cup. An exemplary method of using such a baking cup includes arranging the baking cup on a utensil, producing a baked good, and removing the baking cup from the utensil using the tab(s). The tab(s) may be formed part of or attached to the baking cup. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing tabbed baking cups includes arranging shapes such as circles on a sheet of bake-proof material, utilizing the leftover to form tabs for the circles and cutting the circles and corresponding tab(s) to form the baking cups.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Inventor: Trudy Ellen Griswold
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Patent number: 7997438Abstract: An elongated container tapered inward and rounded on both ends. The recessed interior is segmented by five recessed slots, spaced at three inch intervals. The anti-shifting bar and lock notches creates' the locking system when the buffet server is place in support stand, there by stopping the buffet server from shifting front to back or sliding side to side while cradle in the support stand. The insertable-removable dividers, containers and sectional lids provides for a variety of set up weather mixing or matching keeping your liquid and solids separated if need be. The tabs and sockets, along with push button mechanism allows the buffet server to be taken apart and easily put together again for usage, storage or ease of shipping and handling.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Inventor: Rosa Edmunds Kelly
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Patent number: 7997440Abstract: A closure assembly for a container including an internally-threaded annular flange, an externally-threaded closure plug that is received by the annular flange, and an annular gasket positioned between the annular flange and the closure plug for establishing a sealed interface. The container includes a container end panel that is formed over and around a portion of the annular flange and provides an inner axial wall that is positioned between the annular flange and the annular gasket. The clearance between the closing plug and the inner axial wall relative to the size of the annular gasket determines the degree of radial compression of the annular gasket as the plug is threaded into the flange. A radial lip of the plug is designed to contact an upper surface of the container end panel that is formed over the flange as a visual indication when the required tightening torque of the plug within the flange has been reached.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Rieke CorporationInventor: Gary M. Baughman
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Patent number: 7984821Abstract: A bucket assembly for use on an angled surface comprising a bucket portion a base that supports the bucket portion and a swivel assembly, wherein the bucket portion operates to swivel with respect to the base of the bucket assembly via the swivel assembly so that the bucket assembly does not tip over or fall from the angled surface. A method of using the bucket assembly on an angled surface includes placing the bucket assembly on an angled surface and rotating the bucket portion about the base such that an upper peripheral edge of the bucket portion is substantially horizontal, thereby allowing a user to access a desired tool retained within the bucket assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Inventor: Brant P. Malmberg
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Patent number: 7975864Abstract: A closure (10) that is suitable for attachment to a container (20) having an end portion defining an opening of the container. The closure (10) comprises a top portion (11) and a skirt portion (12) depending from the top portion. The closure (10) also has a sealing rib (14) having a first sealing portion (15) which is contiguous with the top portion (11). The first portion (15) has an inner surface made up of at least a first substantially cylindrical surface portion (17) lying radially inwardly of the first surface portion (17). The rib (14) further includes a second sealing portion (16) that is separated from the top portion (11) by the first portion (15) and which, prior to attachment of the closure to the container, extends inwardly to a free edge. The closure (10) further has a continuous nub member (28) extending downwardly and outwardly from the underside of the top portion (11) and positioned radially inwardly of the first sealing portion (15).Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Closures and Packaging Services LimitedInventors: Rodney Malcolm Druitt, David Edward Foster
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Patent number: 7934614Abstract: A two-piece seal vial assembly. The first piece is a vial defining an aperture adapted to contain a liquid. The vial has a base, a crown disposed opposite the base, and an upright side wall extending from the base to the crown and including a tapered inner diameter and a flange located proximate the crown. The second piece is a seal top defining an opening that runs through the length of the seal top. The seal top has a top portion providing a neck finish and, when the seal top and the vial are assembled, a snap groove releasably receiving the flange of the vial and a tapered portion that frictionally engages the tapered inner diameter of the vial. Although not one of the two main components of the assembly, a cap may be included to releasably engage the neck finish of the seal top to close the seal top.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: J. G. Finneran Associates, Inc.Inventor: James G. Finneran
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Patent number: 7909192Abstract: The invention is a vent for use with a container, such as commercial steel pails and drums, and a method for venting containers. The vent has a cap seal with one or more semipermeable membranes covering an orifice in the cap seal. The membrane prevents the passage of at least one atmospheric component, but allows the free passage of air. When a product is filled into the container at an elevated temperature and cools, a vacuum is formed within the container. The resulting vacuum opens a vacuum release device in the vent and pulls air through a hole in the cap seal, which is protected by a micro-porous membrane. The venting of air into the container relieves the vacuum without damage to the container or the product within the container.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Chemtura CorporationInventors: Robert J. Dempsey, Roland P. Weil, Geeta Govindan, Reine Smirz
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Patent number: 7900787Abstract: Capsule containers disclosed in the present invention. In principle, the capsule container is accommodated inside of the opening formed in a common container such as a beverage container, bucket container, etc. and caught and supported by the rim of the opening. The capsule container is advantageous in that it enables blending of the content accommodated inside with a fluid, powder, etc. having different properties as intended by the user; safe blending of contents without flowing-out; and prevention of excessive flow-out of contents as only proper amounts of the contents are discharged through the opening when the contents flow out.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Inventors: Dong-Gie Oh, Jeong-Min Kim
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Patent number: 7896189Abstract: Disclosed is a combination drink dispenser enabling shaking and straining of flowable materials in an easy, quick, inexpensive, and efficient manner at home as well as in commercial places. The combination drink dispenser comprises a first container and a second container detachably positionable on the first container. The first container having a first closed end portion, a second open end portion, a curved body extending from the first closed end portion to the second open end portion, and an edge having a plurality of differently sized openings, the edge extending from a periphery of the second open end portion. The second container having a first closed end portion, a second open end portion, and a curved body extending from the first closed end portion to the second open end portion. The combination drink dispenser enabling shaking of flowable material therewithin and straining the flowable material through the openings.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Inventor: Jason Griffin
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Patent number: 7892380Abstract: A process of constructing a large diameter tank is provided. The process includes the step of providing a tank wall mandrel that has at least one drive wheel and at least one curved panel. Glass fibers are applied from a vertical winder to the curved panel in order to form a segment of a tank wall shell. Additional glass fibers are also applied to the curved panel at a location above the segment of the tank wall shell in order to form a unitary tank shell.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Inventor: John W. Boyd
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Patent number: 7874443Abstract: A plastic tank for liquids formed as a rectangular-solid or cubic container has four sidewalls, an upper base with a filling socket, a lower base, and an outlet socket, the outlet socket being formed on the lower section of a sidewall for connection to a tapping valve. The upper corner regions between the sidewalls and the upper base of the container and/or the lower corner regions between the sidewalls and the lower base of the container have at least one indentation or projection each.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Protechna S.A.Inventor: Udo Schütz
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Patent number: 7874454Abstract: A universal lid for industrial or commercial large size solid waste containers, has a ribbed single layer central portion and a peripheral edge having a hollow double wall boxed configuration. The boxed perimeter may have a predetermined height such as approximately one inch, and the lid is provided with hinge lugs having a vertical extent substantially more but not more than twice than said predetermined height. In addition, the lids have substantial symmetry so that the lids may be stacked and nested with alternate lids oriented in opposite front-to-back directions. With this type of lid, the advantages of both single layer and double layer lid constructions may be realized.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Inventor: Craig V. Taylor
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Patent number: 7861883Abstract: Article baskets are adapted to support articles within a dishwashing machine. The article baskets can include an article support wall with a plurality of openings defined by an edge extending along a path circumscribing substantially the entire opening. If provided, the edge of each of the openings can be concave in a direction facing the opening along substantially the entire path. In addition, or alternatively, the article basket can further include a divider. The divider can include a portion configured to be selectively inserted into a elongated slot of a sidewall to divide the interior area into a first interior area portion and a second interior area portion. In addition, or alternatively, the divider can include a plurality of article receiving openings with at least one protrusion extending partially across the article receiving opening to divide a plurality of articles.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventor: Balaji Purushothaman
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Patent number: 7861881Abstract: An overcap for selectively covering a container of a microwaveable packaged good article is described. The overcap includes a panel, a neck extending from the panel, and a skirt radially spaced from the neck. The skirt defines at least two areas of reduced thickness spaced from one another, which are configured to allow the skirt to flex when the overcap is removed from the container.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: General Mills Cereals, LLC.Inventors: El-Afandi Ali, Larche Glen
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Patent number: 7854342Abstract: Limited flow cups are provided which deliver a metered amount of fluid to a user during a drinking motion.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Reliant Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Andrea Burke, Richard M. Davis, Gerald Melsky, David Porat, Jerry Porter
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Patent number: 7854343Abstract: Fluid containers are disclosed which have fluid reservoirs in their closures. These reservoirs are advantageous to hold sacrificial fluid which lessens the loss of the fluid of interest to the outside through evaporation. The reservoirs may have openings to the inside or outside of the container, or to both. Reservoirs with openings to the outside serve to reduce evaporative loss by raising the partial pressure of fluid in the vicinity of the contact between the closure and the remainder of the container. The reservoirs may be refillable without opening the container. In one embodiment a fluid reservoir allows the zone of contact between the closure and the remainder of the container to be immersed in fluid, so that gases seeking to escape the interior of the container must pass through fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Labcyte Inc.Inventors: Richard N. Ellson, Michael F. Miller, Arlen Mark Bramwell
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Patent number: 7850032Abstract: A window having multiple integral seals, the window being formed of a substantially optically transparent flexible membrane window panel; a substantially continuous peripheral window seal mechanism surrounding the window panel with the window seal mechanism being a continuous peripheral slot having an opening facing away from the window panel and being structured to receive thereinto a substantially rigid inner peripheral window aperture frame; a contoured skirt completely surrounding the window sealing mechanism; a substantially continuous peripheral door seal mechanism formed adjacent to an edge of the contoured skirt; and wherein the window panel, the window seal mechanism, the contoured skirt and the door seal mechanism are mutually integrally formed of a substantially water-resistant and resiliently pliable material.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey D. Carnevali, Chad M. Remmers
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Patent number: 7845513Abstract: A beverage straw-containing device includes: (a) a generally circular-shaped beverage container lid; (b) a generally circular-shaped beverage container; and (c) a bendable or flexible straw, the straw being ring-shaped, coiled, or angled in its storage position and removably encased within, or detachably attached directly or indirectly to, the beverage container lid and/or the beverage container.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Inventor: Francetta Jamese Estes White