Patents Examined by Christopher McKinley
  • Patent number: 8281945
    Abstract: Closure system for a container including a cap and a ring adapted to engage by screwing in order to seal the opening, the cap including an upper wall from which in a downwards direction there extends an annular skirt that has a lower annular end and a radially inner surface fitted with a thread. The ring has an annular top rim, an annular collar and a thread complementary to the thread of the cap provided between the collar and the rim of the ring. The skirt of the cap includes a projecting annular member forming a barrier and adapted to be supported against the whole periphery of the collar of the ring in a substantially radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: SA des Eaux Minerales d'Evian SAEME
    Inventors: Michel Roussy, Vincent Loisel
  • Patent number: 8261929
    Abstract: A multiple-opening container is configured to facilitate the simultaneous opening of two or more material containing compartments, thus allowing for the material contents within the multiple containing compartments to be suitably mixed upon pouring into another container, such as a pitcher, glass or cup or other like container. As a result of the simultaneous opening and pouring ability facilitated by the multiple-opening container, the time for mixing of multiple materials, such as beverages, fluids, powders or other like contents, can be suitably reduced. In addition, the de-carbonization and/or deterioration or other side affects caused from pre-mixing of the contents can be eliminated. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, engagement portion can comprise a snap clip and a ring portion configured for sealed coupling to a material containing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8240503
    Abstract: A fresh produce keeper includes a vessel having a floor and upwardly extending sidewalls. Holes in the floor allow the vessel to be used as a colander or strainer to rinse produce, while a lid fits over the floor to retain water within the vessel, thereby allowing the same vessel to be used for both rinsing and service or storage. An internal divider and air vent is also provided in some examples of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventor: Heather Curtin
  • Patent number: 8235241
    Abstract: A liquid tank assembly for a motor vehicle includes a tank and an absorber assembly. The tank has an inner surface defining a cavity for receiving a liquid substance. The absorber assembly is disposed within the cavity for dampening liquid sloshing noises. The absorber assembly includes a plurality of connected dampener elements. End sections of the absorber assembly are attached to the inner surface of the tank. The absorber assembly is configured to float on a surface of the liquid when a volume of liquid within the tank is between a first critical volume and a second, lower critical volume. The absorber assembly is generally submerged when a volume of liquid within the tank is a generally greater than the first critical volume. The absorber assembly is generally suspended within the cavity when a volume of liquid within the tank is a generally lower than the second critical volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas N. Ramsay
  • Patent number: 8220656
    Abstract: An organizer is presented including a front portion including a bag compartment, a rear portion is connected to the front portion with a hand grip and a first side portion and a second portion each connected to the front portion and the rear portion. The first side portion and the second side portion each including a number of slots each adapted to connect to a holder having a slide portion. The bag compartment includes an opening surrounded with a soft and flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Evriholder Products, LLC
    Inventor: Gary S. Seehoff
  • Patent number: 8215516
    Abstract: A portable fluid storage tank has through pipes with opposed ends that extend through the tank at two separate places so that the opposed ends are exposed on an exterior of the portable fluid storage tank and the each through pipe provides a separate fluid path through the portable fluid storage tank without fluid communication between the through pipes or an interior of the portable fluid storage tank. Several rows of the portable fluid storage tanks can be connected to a single frac manifold to reduce well site space usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Patrick A. Kaupp
  • Patent number: 8210392
    Abstract: A beverage cup sleeve configured to provide multiple grip handles and additional layering for thermal buffering through reconfigurable handles. The sleeve includes a first and a second web portion corresponding to a first and a second cavity portion provided at the outer side, respectively, and a first and a second notch provided next the first and the second cavity portions, respectively, thereby providing the additional layering when either the first or the second notch fastens the corresponding web portion selected to fold out. Additionally, the strip includes a third and a fourth web portion corresponding to a third and a fourth cavity portion provided at the outer side, respectively, and a third and a fourth notch provided next to the third and the fourth cavity portions, respectively, thereby providing additional layering when either the third or the fourth notch fastens the corresponding web portion selected to fold out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventors: Ryan Kang, Daniel Kang
  • Patent number: 8186540
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Craig V. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8186535
    Abstract: A storage device for retaining fluids is provided. The storage device includes a first container for retaining a first fluid, wherein the first container has a first end and a second end. The storage device further includes a first end container for retaining a second fluid, wherein the first end container is generally annular in shape and is at least partially received within a portion of the first end of the first container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Kenneth Mathew Shearn
  • Patent number: 8177083
    Abstract: A threadless cap for closing a liquid bottle, the liquid bottle having a neck with an upper edge defining a discharge opening. The threadless cap comprises a lid for overlying the upper edge, the lid including a surface for facing the upper edge and a projection extending from the surface toward the upper edge. The threadless cap also comprises a skirt depending from the lid. The threadless cap further comprises a seal member on the surface for establishing a sealing engagement with the upper edge. The seal member includes an arcuate bead of resilient material located on the surface in a position to register with at least a portion of the upper edge. The projection engages and extends along the arcuate bead of resilient material. A blank for such a threadless cap and a method for manufacturing such a threadless cap are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Richard Lamoureux, GĂ©rard Perrin, Henri Pionchon
  • Patent number: 8177091
    Abstract: A container is disclosed. A lid is affixed to a base at a hinged connection. The base includes an enclosure, and the lid includes a catch, the catch being opposite the enclosure. A latch assembly is disposed within the enclosure and includes a button within an opening in the enclosure, a latch, and at least one spring member. The latch extends from the button into sliding relationship with an actuating member, which is configured to actuate the latch when the button is depressed. When the lid is in a closed position, the latch engages the catch. The spring member extends away from the button into sliding relationship with the base. When the button is depressed, the latch disengages the catch, and the spring member resiliently flexes as the end of the spring member slides along a portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Thomas S. Kearney, II
  • Patent number: 8172102
    Abstract: A cap for use with bottled water dispensing systems. The cap includes a main cap and a liner. The main cap has an opening which receives and seals against a probe. The liner is gripped between the main cap and the bottle neck and has a outside part and an inner movable part. The inner movable part is linked to the outer part by a large connecting section that serves as a hinge, and breakable or frangible connecting section. When the bottle is lowered onto the dispensing system, the probe enters into the opening in the main cap, breaks the frangible connection, and pushes the inner movable part open like a flap. The liner, at the location of the large connecting section, is resilient such that the inner movable part tends to close when the bottle is removed from the dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hidding
  • Patent number: 8162161
    Abstract: A bottle container in which sealing of the opening of a container body filled with a chemical liquid etc. and installation of a shoulder part, an unsealing member, and a cap can be made at the same time and that has a shoulder part fall-off prevention mechanism. A bottle container (1) has a container body (2) having a hollow cylindrical neck (21) whose upper part is open and having a step formed on a container body shoulder; a shoulder part (3) screwed on the outer peripheral surface of the neck (21) and having on its upper surface a hollow cylindrical body (32) that has a spout at its head; a cap (4) screwed on the outer peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical body (32) and having a spout sealing means; and an unsealing prevention member (5) installed between the shoulder par (3) and the cap (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fancl Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8162167
    Abstract: A storage tank having an inner vessel disposed within an outer vessel. A common-access tube or conduit is used to route the various fluid flow lines into the interior of the inner vessel. The common-access tube facilitates modular construction and assembly of the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Jader Matos Da Silva, Rainer Immel
  • Patent number: 8157117
    Abstract: A tank for receiving a drink to be dispensed, the tank is rectangular in shape and opens upwardly, a discharge valve is located at the lower, front end of the tank, and a cover fits over the open end of the tank. Detents are formed at the upper end of the walls of the tank. A manually operable locking mechanism secures the cover in fixed position atop the tank. The locking mechanism comprises a vertical shaft or axle that extends through the central part of the cover. A knob is secured to the upper end of the shaft, and a cam is secured to the lower end of the shaft. A plurality of elongated rods pass through diametrically opposed slots in a housing secured to the underside, or interior, of the cover. One end of each rod has a contact surface which is urged against the perimeter of the cam, while the opposite end of the is a locking surface. When the knob is rotated in one direction, the locking surfaces of the rods are forced into the detents to lock the cover in fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: SPM Drink Systems S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimo Grampassi
  • Patent number: 8146769
    Abstract: An improved container designed to provide all of the foregoing attributes (including light weight, low cost, ease of use and carrying, and climatic tolerance) while also presenting a virtually impenetrable barrier to animals. One exemplary embodiment comprises a highly resilient, lightweight, one piece polymer (polycarbonate) body or shell having a large-diameter aperture disposed at one end. A threaded, partially flexible lightweight polymer cap element mates with the body; the cap element comprises a tamper-resistant configuration with locking features which prevent rotation of the cap with respect to the body past a certain point. A ridge is formed on the body along the mating region of the cap, the ridge acting to prevent any animal (or human for that matter) from being able to insert anything (e.g., claws) under the cap when installed to pry it off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Jamie Hogan
  • Patent number: 8148656
    Abstract: A push-button assembly has a button retainer having a first side wall connected to a second side wall, with an included angle between the first and second side wall being in the range of about 100 degrees to about 170 degrees. Additional side walls connect the second side wall back to the first side wall, forming a hollow portion within the button retainer. The button retainer can be mated within the channel of a corresponding bezel structure. The bezel structure can be tuned to fit the button retainer along a single axis of the bezel structure. A tune-to-fit process includes forming the bezel structure from a mold and measuring the fit of the button retainer within the bezel structure along an x-axis. The bezel mold is either re-cut or material is added to the bezel mold along the x-axis, without re-cutting or adding material along any other axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Vistcon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Krista Lynn Orr, Sabin Oana
  • Patent number: 8132684
    Abstract: A closure includes a skirt and internal lugs on the skirt. The skirt has an undulating circumferential contour that includes alternate outwardly convex and outwardly concave portions, with the internal lugs being disposed within the outwardly concave portions of the skirt. The skirt preferably is sufficiently flexible to allow the outwardly concave portions of the skirt to assume an outwardly convex geometry as a result of outward pressure on the internal lugs during demolding of the closure. The closure thus may be simply axially stripped from the mold core during the demolding operation without requiring movement of portions of the mold core to clear a path for travel of the lugs. The lugs preferably are shaped as an inverted U that opens toward a free edge of the skirt, further to facilitate demolding of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rexam Prescription Products Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice R. Gnepper, John M. Shingle
  • Patent number: 8127957
    Abstract: A suspended receptacle for at least one piece of dough has a base comprising two lateral retaining pins with which the base can be connected, so as to pivot about a pivot axis, to a conveyor element conveying a plurality of suspended receptacles of this type. A dough support element of the suspended receptacle has a support for the piece of dough. The dough support element is configured as an exchangeable insert which is detachably connected to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Neuenkirchener Maschinenfabrik Emil Kemper GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Verfurth, Dieter Selker
  • Patent number: 8127963
    Abstract: A liquid container system for a spray gun. The container system includes an outer cup, a collapsible liner for holding a liquid to be sprayed, and a lid for closing the liner. A mounting ring may be used in the cup to make locking engagement with the lid. A lip at the open end of the liner is supported by the mounting ring. A removable lid with a liquid outlet is inserted into the mounting ring, clamping the liner lip to the mounting ring and providing for leak-free operation of the system. Alternatively, the lid may include a cylindrical portion for making sealing engagement with the open end of the liner and projection threads for locking the cup. An adapter connects the liquid outlet of the lid to the spray gun. A collar may facilitate locking engagement of the adapter with the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc., Saint-Gobain Abrasifs
    Inventors: Ronald L. Gerson, Robert A. Brunell, David Anteski