Patents Examined by Christopher McDonald
  • Patent number: 5267681
    Abstract: An anchor for detachably securing utility racks to vehicles is provided. A plate made of a strong and flexible material such as stainless steel, aluminum, or synthetic aromatic polyamide is slotted on one end or otherwise provided with means for attachment to the utility rack. A substantial part of the plate is surrounded by fiberglass cloth sheeting contained within a cushioning neoprene envelope and an intermediate polyethylene resin barrier. A thin cushioning layer of neoprene rubber envelops the plate, fiberglass cloth sheeting and polyethylene barrier. Activated resin is introduced into the fiberglass cloth sheeting or a hardening material already in the fiberglass sheeting is activated. The activated resin in the anchor is allowed to harden while the anchor is in a configuration which conforms to an anchor site between a door and a jamb of the vehicle, or at some other location on the vehicle. A permanent, hardened, custom-fitted, and cushioned anchor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Ski Tote, U.S.A.
    Inventor: Richard J. Walter
  • Patent number: 5267685
    Abstract: A hollow stackable product including at least a section of a generally conically contoured sidewall having a number of longitudinal folds of alternating ridges and furrows. Each fold includes a first side strip laterally extending from the top of a ridge to the bottom of an adjacent furrow and a second side strip laterally extending from the bottom of the furrow to the top of the next adjacent ridge. The first side strip has a different lateral orientation than the second side strip. The first side strip has a greater wall thickness than the second side strip; and the first side strip also has a shorter lateral extent than the second side strip. When the product is stacked within a like product, a first product is placed inside a second like product so that the first side strips of the first product are positioned closely adjacent the first side strips of the second product and the second side strips of the first product are positioned closely adjacent the second side strips of the second product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Primtec
    Inventor: Jens O. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5267795
    Abstract: A paper bag particularly adapted for the packaging of carryout food items such as hamburgers and chicken. The bag is of a unitary construction and includes two inwardly folded bellows panels on its sides, each bellows joining respective sides of the bag. A fold line is positioned below the top, free edges of the side walls. A pair of spaced cuts is located substantially midway of respective fold lines, each cut of each pair extending from above to below its respective fold line, the individual cuts being spaced from each other along the fold line. Respective areas of the front and rear bag walls above the fold line carry indicia, such as printed indicia, to indicate the bag contents. After folding the top of the bag about the fold lines and against either side walls, one or the other indicia is visible to indicate the bag contents. The bag top is inhibited from opening after such folding by distorting the paper between the cuts to effect a latching action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Linda A. Bernstein, Robert L. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5267644
    Abstract: A tuckable carrier includes an one-piece paper or plastic board having a pluralty of container holes formed in a central base plate portion, a pair of side-wing plate portions respectively protruding sidewardly from the central base plate portion, and a pair of handle portions respectively formed on two outer end portions of the two side-wing plate portions adapted to be held by a user's hand, in which a plurality of portable containers such as paper boxes filled with beverage liquid or foods generally formed as truncated cone shape or prismatic shape tapered downwardly can be engageably inserted into the plurality of container holes and the two handle portions formed on the one-piece board can be tucked to be held by the user's hand for carrying the portable containers conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventor: Chung-Piao Tsao
  • Patent number: 5263523
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-card element for attachment to a wallet. The multi-card element includes a generally rectangular front wall and a generally rectangular back wall of the same width as the front wall. The front wall and back wall are secured on at least their side edges to form an enclosure. The front wall has a plurality of parallel and spaced apart slits cut therein for reception of a card. A pocket liner is disposed within the enclosure formed by the front wall and the back wall. The pocket liner comprises an elongated generally rectangular back member having a width less than the width of the front and back walls. The back member is secured at its top edge within the enclosure. A plurality of generally rectangular card supporting members is affixed at their lower edge to the back member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Amity Leather Products Company
    Inventor: Roy Scheunemann
  • Patent number: 5263637
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the forming and printing of paper products, particularly paper products such as self-mailers, made from a moving web of paper which is printed on a continuous forms press and folded and glue sealed in one pass through a folder. The disclosed self-mailer includes a return order envelope. The self-mailer is printed on stock of a size and thickness to conform to postal regulations with both sides of the stock being printed, perforated on press to enable tear-off of the return portion of the self-mailer, scored to enable folding, and provided with a mailing window as a continuous form. Laser printing is used for subsequent application of an individual's name and address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Walter A. Simson
  • Patent number: 5259539
    Abstract: A back pack type suit bag is disclosed having an incorporated semirigid panel enclosed in a side wall of the bag. The semirigid panel defines the profile of the upper portion of the bag and supports the upper hanger strap from which garments are supported. A conventional and flexible bag wall is provided with the bag opening, typically a zipper, to obtain access to the interior of the bag. On the other side of the semirigid panel from the exterior of the bag "back pack" type shoulder straps are fastened. The back pack shoulder straps are attached about the shoulders of the wearer to impart a slight arcurate bend to the semirigid panel with such bending occuring about an axis parallel to the spine of the bag wearer. Preferably, a waist strap is additionally utilized and similarly tightened to reinforce the arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Stuart Brotman
  • Patent number: 5259552
    Abstract: A carton is disclosed having a reclosable pour spout formed in a top panel thereof. The pour spout being formed by cooperating portions of an upper minor flap, an exterior top panel and an interior top panel which cooperate to form the top panel of the carton. A portion of the interior top panel forming a central closure pane is formed by inside and outside cut scores formed in the interior top panel defining a ply separation region therebetween which extends from a lift tab to a hinge line formed in the interior top panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: James River Corporation of Virginia
    Inventor: Morris W. Kuchenbecker
  • Patent number: 5255765
    Abstract: Embodiments of a removable luggage cover are disclosed, each for protecting a piece of luggage from damaging and dirty environments. The luggage cover is a piece of durably woven fabric held on the luggage either by being directly attached to the luggage with clips or buckles or by enveloping the luggage and being clipped or buckled together. No zipper for an envelope nearly completely enclosing the luggage is required. The luggage cover allows access and use of the luggage handle while the cover is in place, and is adjustable to luggage of different sizes and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Loonatickle, Inc.
    Inventor: Deborah Schrecongost
  • Patent number: 5255832
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a universal equipment mount for attachment to mounting rails. The mount includes a base plate which is flat and has at least one cut-out therein. Permanently mounted to the base plate is an over-the-center clamp with an anchor strap and hook that extends through the cut out and the base. The base has opposite ends and one end is curved downwardly and inwardly for fitting over a flat horizontal rail section. The base plate is placed with its hooked portion on the edge of the mounting rail, the anchor hook of the over-the-center clamp is placed on the opposite edge of another horizontal surface of a mounting rail and the clamp is tightened to secure the base plate to the mount. The present invention is also directed to a mounting rail which includes at least two parallel separated base sections that have a cross section including a horizontal and vertical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: David Christensen
  • Patent number: 5251809
    Abstract: The invention provides spirally wound easy-open containers which comprise a spirally wound body wall having overlapped edges and which have capabilities and benefits associated with conventional butt jointed containers. The overlapped edges of the body wall define an easy-open seam extending helically between the ends of the container. A temporary adhesive between the overlapped edges of the body wall releasably adheres the overlapped edges of the body wall together and allows for opening of the container along the helical, easy-open seam. The easy-open containers provided according to the invention can be readily manufactured with only slight modifications to the conventional manufacturing process. Nevertheless, the easy-open containers of the invention can provide for material savings in container label construction and can allow for vacuum packaging of food products such as dough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Drummond, General Taylor, W. Gerald Gainey
  • Patent number: 5249607
    Abstract: Emptying bowls are transported by an intermittently traveling endless conveyor having an upper run for transporting the bowls in an upright position and a lower run for transporting the bowls in an inverted position. A belt which travels intermittently in synchrony with the conveyor is positioned to contact and cover the open tops of the bowls for retaining contents of the bowls therein as the bowls are transported from an upright position on the upper run to an inverted position on the lower run. The belt is retracted at a position beneath the lower run when the conveyor is stationary to release the contents from the bowls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Hans K. Larsen
  • Patent number: 5249681
    Abstract: A dispenser system for containers, e.g., soft drink cans, held in matrix configuration within a carton. An outlet port is defined in each of the carton's first and second side walls with both the outlet ports being oriented on a single longitudinal axis oriented normal to the first and second side walls. The outlet ports are sized to allow egress of each container in the container series out of either one of the first and second side walls. This allows a container whose longitudinal axis is oriented co-axially with the longitudinal axis of the outlet ports to be pushed out of the carton through the outlet port in the first side wall by pushing on the container through the outlet port in the second side wall, and alternately through the outlet port in the second side wall by pushing on the container through the outlet port in the first side wall, all as desired by the carton user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: The C. W. Zumbiel Co.
    Inventor: Charles A. Miller
  • Patent number: 5248040
    Abstract: In a packet containing a plurality of dual tab merchandising bags, each bag includes a front panel, a rear panel, each side of said bag between the front and rear panels including, a front gusset folded from the front panel, a rear gusset folded from the rear panel, the front and rear gussets joined at a common gusset fold to form an endless tube of bag material around the periphery of said bag. The bags are sealed and severed at the bottom and open and severed at the top, and collapsed and folded one on another so that said gusset sides are folded upon themselves and collapsed under and between the bag front and rear panels. Handle holes are provided centrally of said front and rear panels adjacent said open top of the bag. Tabs are adjacent the sides of the bags at the top of the bag, the tabs having a first portion overlying the gussets and a second portion overlying the central portion of the bag between the gussets, these tabs fused together to form said packet of bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Polytec Packaging
    Inventors: Robert B. DeMatteis, Ralph E. Schlender
  • Patent number: 5246043
    Abstract: A device for detecting a liquid level in a supply container provided with at least one opening in the top wall, which device is embodied with a transparent standpipe, wherein the bottom end of the standpipe is in open communication with the one leg of an inverse U-shaped syphon device, the other leg of which protrudes into the container, so being able to easy determinate the momentary liquid level in random containers for liquids, for example oil drums, containers for liquid chemical substances and the like, without the user having to touch the liquid or being thereby contaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: Herman Van Der Heyden
  • Patent number: 5246110
    Abstract: A refuse bag joined at three straight sides and an open fourth side which includes projecting tie parts that can be readily tied by hand. The tie parts are each rounded peaks separated by convex valleys. Each peak has side portions and a top which has a convex part including convex transitional portions connected to the side portions which otherwise connect to the valleys. Preferably, the peaks and valleys form a sinusoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: Lourence C. J. Greyvenstein
  • Patent number: 5244280
    Abstract: A flexible woven fabric bulk container made of four panels with vertical selvage sides, vertical warps and cut edges in the direction of the weft at the top and bottom, with diagonally extending interlocking hemmed corners with upper portions splayed or flared in a counter-clockwise direction and overlaid with inner and outer depending legs of inverted "U"-shaped loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Megasack Corporation
    Inventors: Clavin M. Porter, Jack D. Pierce, Sidney Cawyer, Colin L. Talbot
  • Patent number: 5240112
    Abstract: A thin flexible plastic bag having a permanently closed end and an open end with a main zipper closure formed of mateable male and female interlockable portions extending across the entire open end. The bag is provided with a stem and pinch valve construction with which the bag can be orally evacuated for sealing its contents in a vacuum-tight condition or with which the bag can be orally inflated and then used as a packing around breakables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: Bronson E. Newburger
  • Patent number: 5234160
    Abstract: An aseptic pour spout seal for a flat top end closure having two oppositely disposed outer closure panels, and two oppositely disposed fold-in panels, one of which serves as the pour spout when opened. Each of the fold-in panels includes a substantially triangular panel portion, and a pair of fold-back panels integrally connected to and folded between the substantially triangular panel portion and the respective adjacent outer closure panels. Diagonal opening-assist score lines are formed on the outer closure panels adjacent the respective fold-back panels. An abhesive release coating is applied to the outside surfaces of the pour spout, and to the inside surfaces of either the pair of fold-back pour panels or the adjacent areas defined by the diagonal opening-assist score lines. A suitable sealant is overlain on the abhesive release coating on the pair of fold-back pour panels or the adjacent areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Elopak Systems A.G.
    Inventor: Robert E. Lisiecki
  • Patent number: 5234159
    Abstract: A package of the type having a container with a bottom surface, a peripheral wall, and a peripheral lip includes a seal secured to the peripheral lip and a cover positioned to overlie the seal and the peripheral lip. The cover includes two oppositely disposed side flaps oriented to extend away from the peripheral lip toward the bottom surface, and two bottom flaps each secured to a respective one of the two side flaps and to the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Conagra, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Lorence, Brian D. Hopkins, James E. Grace