Patents Examined by David T. Fidel
  • Patent number: 7891489
    Abstract: A system for assisting in communication of the state of a patient's condition is disclosed. In an embodiment, a plastic container of washcloths includes two labels. The first label is mounted on the container and occludes an entry into the container. The second label also is mounted on the container via attachment to the first label. The second label includes a template that is mounted face down. In operation, the second label may be removed and observations regarding the patient's skin condition that are made during use of the washcloth can be marked on the template provided on the second label. The second label then may be communicated from one care provider to another care provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sage Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron Chappuis
  • Patent number: 7431154
    Abstract: A storage container includes a lid having a lid panel and an arm extending from the lid panel, the arm including a detent having a first surface parallel to the lid panel and a second surface having a taper extending at least a portion between the first surface and a distal end of the arm, and a base configured to receive a disc, the base having a base panel and a member extending from the base panel, the member having an opening defined by an interior surface having a portion thereof parallel to the base panel, the first surface of the detent engaging the interior surface portion of the member when the storage container is closed. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Disk Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Jose E. Perez, Gary J. Gwizdala, Kent Ke Yan, William Randall Fisher, Edwin E. Pessara, Iris Gluzman
  • Patent number: 7322466
    Abstract: The present application refers to a container comprising a cup, a joint and a base, wherein the latter defines a cavity where a lid is coupled to form a cavity, allowing the placement of an object that may be a decorative figure, a toy or a promotional means. In another embodiment, the base of the container is shaped to represent an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Armando Diaz Alonso
  • Patent number: 7316312
    Abstract: A “protective structure of disc packaging” of the invention comprises a protective body placed on the top and the bottom sides of a pile of discs; a heat-shrink film covers the protective body and said discs together for avoiding the discs from deforming the heat-shrink film. The characteristic of the invention lies in: the protective body is composed of at least two interlaced disc-shaped plates, which are made of corrugated paper or plastic corrugated sheet with wavy buffer portions. When the upper and the lower disc-shaped plates are disposed, the undulating buffer portions of the disc-shaped plates are vertically stacked up; in addition, the size of each disc-shaped plate is larger than the disc. The invention, therefore, is able to achieve the objectives of retaining the disc quality during the disc packaging and delivery processes, in addition, effectively reducing the disc packaging costs based on the requirement of environmental protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Princo Corp.
    Inventor: Pei-Liang Chiu
  • Patent number: 7168567
    Abstract: An inflatable packaging system comprised of an inflation channel that feeds a plurality of inflatable cells prevents buckling of the inflation header as the inflatable cells inflate by relieving stress along a seal line that separates the inflation header from the inflatable cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William A. Peper, Joseph T. Bartusiak
  • Patent number: 7083046
    Abstract: A wraparound article carrier and a blank for forming a wraparound article carrier for packaging an article such as a pot of foodstuffs is disclosed. The carrier comprises opposed top and base walls interconnected by opposed side walls thereby forming a tubular structure. An aperture is provided in the base wall panel to accommodate a portion of the article. A bracing tab is formed at least in part from the base wall to define the aperture and folded so as to form a spacer for causing the top and base to be spaced by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Martinus C. M. Bakx
  • Patent number: 7055681
    Abstract: A display structure for an article. The display structure includes a base, a gripping member extending from the base and movable into a position for receipt and clasping of an article, and a platform member positioned above the base and coupled to the gripping member such that movement of the platform member moves the gripping member into the position for receipt and clasping of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Ralph Herzog
  • Patent number: 7051879
    Abstract: A packaging arrangement for a product and a sample associated with the product. The packaging includes a flexible tube having a first end which delimits an outlet hole a second end opposite the first which is closed at an end closure zone formed by fastening an end edge portion of the tube onto itself, for example, by welding or adhesive bonding. The tube further includes at least one intermediate closure zone which is formed between the first and second ends, and which is formed by fastening a wall of the tube onto itself along at least one transverse line so as to define at least two compartments which are isolated from one another. One of the compartments communicates with the outlet hole. The two compartments can be separated from one other by breaking (e.g., tearing) an arrangement for facilitating separation, with the separation facilitating arrangement provided in the region of the intermediate closure zone. The product and the sample can be the same or different products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Marc Ramet
  • Patent number: 7051877
    Abstract: A napkin container includes an opening formed in one surface, and a cover device having a peripheral frame secured onto the container and having a pivotal cover adhesive onto the container for blocking the opening of the container. The cover may be solidly secured onto the container in a water-tight seal after the cover has been opened, for preventing the wetted napkins from being quickly dried. The cover device may be quickly manufactured with a planar or flat sheet material. A panel may further be secured to the cover for engaging into the opening of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Pai Yung Lin
  • Patent number: 7028838
    Abstract: A light strand storage device includes a panel having a first side, a second side and a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge includes a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge wherein the first and second edges are positioned opposite of each other. Each of the third and fourth edges has an indentation therein. The indentations are positioned nearer the first edge than the second edge and are positioned generally opposite of each other. Each of a plurality of securing members is attached to and extends outwardly away from the first and second sides. A light string may be extended around the panel and secured to the panel by the securing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Judith A. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 7025205
    Abstract: A method for maintaining the enclosed volume of a sealed package at about ambient pressure, wherein the package contains a pressurized container comprising a drug, and an HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) propellant selected from the group consisting of HFA 134a and HFA p227, or a mixture thereof; wherein the method comprises the steps of (1) positioning an effective amount of a HFA adsorbent material, and said pressurized container, within a sealable package; (2) sealing the package so that the pressurized container and adsorbent are in an enclosed volume within the package at a pressure equal to about ambient pressure; and (3) adsorbing any leakage of the HFA propellant into the HFA adsorbent material so as to maintain the enclosed volume at about ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Aventis Pharma Limited
    Inventor: Frank C. Barker
  • Patent number: 7021464
    Abstract: A tool box includes a base, a top cover pivotally mounted on the base, a receiving rack pivotally mounted in the base for receiving a plurality of hand tools, and a driving lever pivotally mounted in the base and having a first end connected to and driven by the top cover and a second end connected to the receiving rack for moving the receiving rack. Thus, when the top cover is removed from the base, the receiving rack is lifted to the optimum inclined position, so that the user can take the screwdriver tips from the receiving rack easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Chang-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 6978893
    Abstract: An inflatable packaging system comprised of an inflation channel that feeds a plurality of inflatable cells prevents buckling of the inflation header as the inflatable cells inflate by relieving stress along a seal line that separates the inflation header from the inflatable cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: William A. Peper
  • Patent number: 6460695
    Abstract: A display box for a consumer article is presented that includes a base, a support member and a cover. The base has at least one platform that includes an outer surface, a bottom surface, and a flange extending from the at least one platform. The base further includes an opening in the bottom surface defined by edges of the flange. The support member is adapted for supporting the consumer article and has a pedestal that is selectively mountable on and decoupleable from the flange. The cover has a top wall and four side walls that define an inner surface. The cover is selectively coupled to and decoupled from the base and can be positioned in a first position, in which the outer surface of the base and the inner surface of the four side walls cooperate to seal the display box and to prevent an unauthorized decoupling of the cover (i.e. opening of the display. box). Preferably, mechanical assistance is required to separate the cover and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventors: Richard W. Gursky, Sr., Gerald Dimarco
  • Patent number: 6305537
    Abstract: A camera carrying case includes a sleeve having a camera receiving hollow and a pair of opposite open ends that are individually configured to permit camera insertion into the hollow. A pair of spaced elastic expandable strips between the open ends each interconnect a pair of spaced longitudinal edge portions of the sleeve to permit the hollow to be enlarged to accommodate different size cameras and to form a pocket between the elastic expandable strips for receiving various articles. A flap is connected to one of the longitudinal edge portions to wrap about the sleeve, but not about the elastic expandable strips, and to unwrap from about the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Lisa W. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 6199692
    Abstract: Improved carton construction for spherical objects is disclosed. The carton has front and rear wall panels joined by side panels and top and bottom panels. The front and rear wall panels have a centrally located opening to permit a portion of the spherical article housed within the carton construction to be displayed. The cross-sectional area of the top panel is equal to or only slightly greater than the cross-sectional area of the sphere that is being packaged therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Van Ness Plastic Molding Inc.
    Inventors: William Van Ness, Glenn Thresher
  • Patent number: 6105771
    Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve or sheet of material having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material or both. The floral grouping is placed on the sheet of material which is wrapped thereabout, or the floral grouping is disposed in the interior space of the sleeve. The cinching tab is attached near one end of the sheet or sleeve. The cinching tab has a bonding material disposed thereon which, when the cinching tab is pulled tightly about the wrapper, causes the wrapper to be crimped and tightly bound about the stems of the floral grouping. When a sheet or sleeve having a strip of bonding material is used, the portion of the wrapper having the strip of bonding material is crimped manually or automatically about a portion of the stems of the floral grouping causing portions of the wrapper to overlap and bond to each other causing the wrapper to be held firmly about the stems of the floral grouping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter
  • Patent number: 5996804
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a container apparatus and method for packaging contoured articles, particularly contoured articles containing hazardous substances. The container apparatus comprises a base member, upstanding sidewall members foldably emanating from the edges of the base member, and an article retaining member foldably emanating from the top edge of at least one of the sidewall members. The article retaining member is positionable toward and into the inner region of the container so as to form an acute angle with the sidewall from which it emanates. The article retaining member further includes an article retention edge to engage, stabilize, and prevent undesired movement of the contoured article(s) housed within the interior region of the container apparatus. In particular, the article retaining member prevents migration of the contoured articles in a vertical plane, in a horizontal plane, and in a rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventors: Wayne Kuhn, Shane Bertsch
  • Patent number: 5967325
    Abstract: A picnic box which can be assembled, then reassembled into a picnic table is disclosed. The picnic box and table comprises: a frame having four corner posts rigidly spaced and permanently held parallel to each other by four rails, each rail extending only between bottom end portions of adjacent corner posts, and two opposite rails having an inwardly extending abutment; two opposite box long side portions removably positioned between corner posts on opposite sides of the frame, and along and above the rails extending therebetween; two opposite box short side portions removably positioned between corner posts on opposite ends of the frame, and along and above the rails extending therebetween; and, a box bottom side portion removably positioned within and above the abutment on the two opposite side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Randy B. McIntire
  • Patent number: 5967312
    Abstract: A flip top container used to store a smoking pipe and smoking material. Pivots mount a side lever and the top lid to the container's body while side panels mounted on the body define two sides of the smoking material chamber. A first biasing spring on the lid engages the top of a stored pipe and acts to raise the lid while a second biasing spring on the lever acts to pivot the lever into engagement with the closed lid top and keep it in that position. When the lever is depressed it pivots on its pin to release the engaged lid which then flips upward by virtue of its biased spring. Complementarily shaped engaged stepped surfaces on the ends of the lever and lid assist in maintaining the lid closed and locked when access to the container is not desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Patrick C. Jacobs