Patents Examined by Christopher McKinley
  • Patent number: 8978914
    Abstract: To obtain a fuel tank fuel filler structure with which even a fuel nozzle having a large diameter portion can be inserted easily into a fuel fill inlet and which can highly demonstrate the action of guiding the fuel nozzle to the fuel fill inlet. One end of a guide plate (44) is rotatably supported on a rotational shaft (42) disposed on a flapper valve (20). The guide plate (44) is biased by a guide plate biasing spring toward a withdrawal region in which the guide plate withdraws from a passage region of a fuel nozzle. In a state where the flapper valve (20) is in an open position (HP), the entire guide plate (44) is positioned in the withdrawal region. In a state where the flapper valve (20) is in a closed position (TP), the guide plate (44) can be placed near a fuel fill inlet (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiaki Kataoka, Satoshi Yamamoto, Masaki Akagi
  • Patent number: 8973779
    Abstract: Drums of thermoplastic synthetic material include a circumferentially extending carrying and transport ring arranged on the drum wall in the vicinity of the upper bottom, and at least one bunghole connection sleeve arranged in a trough-shaped indentation of the upper head of the drum in the area of the rim thereof. An integrally formed stiffening bead is arranged on the inner side of the carrying and transport ring of a drum of the above-described type in the vicinity of a bunghole connection sleeve. A stiffening hump is formed in the upper head of the drum between the stiffening bead of the carrying and transport ring and the bunghole connection sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Schütz GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Udo Schütz
  • Patent number: 8955683
    Abstract: The group of inventions relates to the food industry, more specifically to embodiments of a packaging for pre-portioned confectionery goods consisting of one or a number of portions. A packaging for confectionery goods consisting of a number of portions comprises a lid and a base that is provided with at least one raised flat section for holding trays corresponding to the number of portions of the goods in question. Each tray has a means for the removal thereof from the packaging, in the form, for example, of a tongue situated on the side that faces the edge of the packaging base, and at least one tray anchoring projection with a widened part is provided on the base between each pair of adjacent trays. Furthermore, pairs of projections may be provided along the edges of the raised section to restrict the movement in a horizontal plane both of the tongues and of the trays with the confectionery goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Valery Eduardovich Agababov
  • Patent number: 8950614
    Abstract: A biodegradable resin bottle having a container wall (1) including a biodegradable resin and having a vacuum-evaporated film (3) formed on the inner surface of the container wall (1) by a plasma CVD method. The vacuum-evaporated film (3) includes a first hydrocarbon vacuum-evaporated layer (3a) positioned on the inner surface of the container wall and a second hydrocarbon vacuum-evaporated layer (3b) formed on the above hydrocarbon vacuum-evaporated layer (3a). The first hydrocarbon vacuum-evaporated layer (3a) has polar groups introduced therein. The second hydrocarbon vacuum-evaporated layer (3b) exhibits hydrocarbon peaks stemming from CH, CH2 and CH3 in a region of wave numbers of 3200 to 2600 cm?1 as measured by FT-IR, has a CH2 ratio of not larger than 35% and a CH3 ratio of not smaller than 40% per the sum of CH, CH2 and CH3 calculated from the hydrocarbon peaks, and has no polar group introduced therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takurou Ito, Hiroki Mori, Kazuhiko Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8950620
    Abstract: A garbage can liner system for use in a single compartment of a refuse container where the container volume is divided into subsections by placing and attaching a refuse receptacle divider system across the top of the container and by securing two garbage bags inside the container by attaching the bags to the divider system and to opposing ends of the container as is normally done. The divider system is adjustable so as to accommodate various sized containers so a single divider system can be used serially in several different garbage cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Warren C McDuffie
  • Patent number: 8936171
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for partitioning food containers, such as cereal bowls. Some embodiments may include a system with a food container, which may be a cereal bowl. The system may also include a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface. The membrane may partition the food container into a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may be for holding liquid content. The upper bowl portion may be adapted for holding edible solid content. The membrane may have multiple passageways extending from the membrane bottom surface through the membrane top surface. The multiple passageways may be normally closed and then expand to an open configuration allowing fluid transmission from below the membrane to above the membrane when the membrane is flexed in a first direction normal to a resting plane parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Oded Light
  • Patent number: 8931654
    Abstract: A closure device (2) for a fluid vessel (1) comprises a bistable valve arrangement which includes first and second valve rim portions (4, 5) and a valve member (3) engageable with either of the rim portions (4, 5) respectively to define an open position in which fluid (9) can exit the vessel (1) and a closed position in which fluid (9) is substantially prevented from exiting the vessel (1). The valve is arranged to close automatically when an impulse is exerted against the valve member (3). This can occur for example when the vessel (1) is knocked over and the fluid (9) therein exerts pressure against the valve member (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Magicup Marketing Limited
    Inventors: Steven Le Masurier, Stewart Humphrey, Darren Parsons
  • Patent number: 8919594
    Abstract: A dispensing utensil (102) including a body (104) having: a carcass (104); and a pliable top wall (112) and a bottom wall (106), the walls (112, 106) supported by the carcass (104), wherein the pliable top wall (112) and bottom wall (106) define a cavity (124) for storing dispensable cavity contents; the utensil (102) further including: a lid (108) connected to the pliable top wall (112) and openable about a hinge (114) formed by the pliable top wall (112); a seal (110) sealing the lid (108) to the body (104?) to seal the cavity (124); a tool portion (150); and a handle portion (152); wherein the seal (110) may be broken and the lid (108) opened about the hinge (114) formed by the pliable top wall (112), thereby allowing the cavity contents to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sands Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Bradley Donald Teys
  • Patent number: 8910809
    Abstract: A teat unit has a teat with a suction opening, a support body, and a securing part for securing the teat unit on a drinking vessel. The securing part and the support body are fixedly connected to each other indirectly or directly, and they cannot be detached from each other without being destroyed. The support body has a surface with recesses, which are covered by the teat. The teat is overmoulded over the support body, wherein the teat covers the recesses. This teat unit permits a sucking action that is as natural as possible. It is of a simple construction and can be produced inexpensively, which means that it can be disposed of after one use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: René Fischer, Etienne Furrer, Bernhard Emmenegger
  • Patent number: 8910813
    Abstract: Laundry hampers and sorters are disclosed that are front loading, in that they permit removal and replacement of individual laundry bags without requiring the bags to be raised significantly in order to remove the laundry bags from a supporting frame. Removable laundry bags are supported, at least in part, by support members, such as front vertical posts having cupped or saddle-shaped supports disposed atop the vertical posts. As a result, the requirement for a top front horizontal bar of the frame is eliminated, permitting the laundry bags to be removed and replaced in position using a substantially horizontal direction of movement. This, in turn, provides ergonomic benefit, as significantly less physical effort is required to both remove and replace the laundry bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Neatfreak Group Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand Barre, Francis Lepage
  • Patent number: 8887948
    Abstract: Shape memory insulators comprising a first layer of core material, such as polymeric insulative material, and a second, shape memory layer of elastomeric material, for attachment to objects. The shape memory layer may comprise silicone rubber, silicone gum, silicon crepe, and/or silicone gel, for example. The shape memory insulator may be part of a handle for an object, such as a pot or pan, for example, or other objects and devices requiring continuous and/or repetitive manual operation. The shape memory polymeric material may conform to the shape of the user's hand when the handle is gripped by a user's hand. When the grip is released, the shape memory material returns to its original shape. The shape memory insulators provide insulation as well as improving comfort and/or control over the engagement and use of objects, while decreasing arm and hand wear and/or strain of those using the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hudson Home Group LLC
    Inventor: Rick Lapine
  • Patent number: 8887947
    Abstract: A closure (2) for a flexible container (2) comprises a valve (7, 8) which is switchable between a closed position and an open position, and a tube structure (9) arranged to be immersed in a liquid in the container (1). The valve comprises a first part (7) arranged to be inserted in an opening (10) of the container (1) and a second part (8) arranged within the first part (7), said first and second parts (7, 8) being rotatable in relation to each other for switching between the closed position and the open position of the valve. The closure (2) is made essentially of plastic material. A method of closing a flexible container (1) is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Petainer Lidkoping AB
    Inventor: Mikael Quasters
  • Patent number: 8887935
    Abstract: A collapsible durable outdoor adventure container is constructed of polymer sheeting having holes in flaps of the sheeting. The sheet is bendable and bent by a user to a selected tubular configuration to align through holes along a seam line in flaps of the sheet or sheeting assembly with cable tie clamping elements clamping said flaps together through the holes. A strap coupled to at least several of the clamping element running along the seam line acting as an outside wrapping and/or tensioning element to contain the clamped flaps and fully or partially contain the contents of the container providing a connection tensioning element between adjacent clamping elements as connected along the seam line of the flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Slingfin, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Steven Zemitis, Jonathan William Buck
  • Patent number: 8875939
    Abstract: A storage unit having sidewalls and a lid hinged to a sidewall. A support device has one end mounted to the lid and one end received in a track recessed in a sidewall and operable to follow in a travel path defined by the track when the lid is raised and lowered. The track having a rest surface on which the end of the support device in the track can rest to support the lid in the open position. The storage unit can include a latch assembly associated with a sidewall and the lid to selectively secure the lid in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Suncast Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Phillips, Michael Vogler
  • Patent number: 8870008
    Abstract: A folding box includes a bottom board, two first folding board sets opposite to each other, two second folding board sets opposite to each other, and a mounting frame. Top sides of the first folding board sets are pivotably coupled to the first sidewalls of the mounting frame respectively. Bottom sides of the second folding board sets are pivotably coupled to the second sides of the bottom board. In use, the mounting frame is pulled up, bottom sides of the first folding board sets are locked to the opposite first sides of the bottom board respectively, top sides of the second folding board sets are locked to the opposite second sidewalls of the mounting frame respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hua Wu, Ming-Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 8827096
    Abstract: A combination paint can and non-splash lid which eliminates the sump area at the top of the paint can by providing a vertically oriented arcuate interior rim surrounding the opening which leads to the storage container where the paint is stored. The combination also includes a matching lid which can tightly fit onto the vertically oriented rim so that the paint can is able to be tightly sealed but when the lid is removed and paint is dispensed, there is not an interior sump where the paint can land and create problems. The device also contains a matching bottom which is designed to be inter-fit with a top to enable one paint can to be stacked on top of the other paint can and locked in place so that when they are vertically stacked, the upper paint can will not fall away from or off the lower paint can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Donald E. Macpherson
  • Patent number: 8820550
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a packaging comprising a container with a container body (1), and a container opening (2) having an upper edge (3), and a closure element (4) for closing said container, characterized in that the closure element (4) is rigid and is ultrasonically sealed onto the upper edge (3) of the container opening (2), so that said closure element (4) and said container (1, 2) form one single unitary part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Detrois, Jean-Paul Cerveny
  • Patent number: 8813960
    Abstract: A latch system for stacked containers includes a plurality of bosses and a latch mechanism. The bosses are coupled to each of the stack containers and may include a pivot boss, a storage boss and a latch boss. The latch mechanism includes a pivot end portion, a flexible mid portion and a latch end portion. The pivot end portion is placed onto the pivot boss to allow rotation of the latch mechanism there about. In one embodiment, the pivot end portion includes a rounded inner diameter to permit both in-plane and out-of-plane rotation of the latch mechanism relative to the container. The latch end portion biasly engages either the storage boss of the same container or the latch boss of another container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Becklin Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Fjelland
  • Patent number: 8813985
    Abstract: A panel can have a plurality of grooves. An insert can be installed into one or more of the grooves. The inserts can have one or more mating elements that protrude from the side of the insert. The one or more mating elements can be sized and positioned to help secure the insert within a groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Diversified Fixtures, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Schloesser
  • Patent number: 8807370
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a preservation container having a container body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly includes an upper cover, a knob provided on a top of the upper cover and rotated by a user, a vertical moving unit coupled to the upper cover and moved up and down by a rotation of the knob, an intermediate cover detachably coupled to a bottom of the upper cover and having in a central portion thereof a hole through which the vertical moving unit is exposed to an outside, a lower cover coupled to the vertical moving unit, and a packing fitted into a groove which is formed in a top of the lower cover and sliding along a bottom of the intermediate cover to be in close contact with an inner surface of the container body, when the vertical moving unit moves up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Dongyang Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Woo Lee