Patents Examined by George T. Hall
  • Patent number: 4787525
    Abstract: A child resistant flip-top closure. The base of the closure is provided with an upwardly projecting rib which lies alongside the lid or movable element of the closure when the lid is in the closed position. The rib impedes access to the lid and hence opening of the closure. The rib includes a resilient portion which can be manually engaged and flexed outwardly, away from the lid to provide access to the lid. The resilient portion of the rib may be curved inwardly along its top edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Inventor: Michael Joyce
  • Patent number: 4787526
    Abstract: A vial or other container includes a hinged closure member having a latch for securing the closure member in a closed position. The latch includes a "child resistant" configuration wherein it is very difficult for adolescents to open the container and an "easy open" configuration wherein it is relatively simple for persons with limited manual dexterity to open the closure member. The latch includes a bipositional tongue hingedly attached to either the container or closure member. The tongue is hinged to allow for the various configurations and, when in the child proof configuration, substantially requires use of both hands and a substantial amount of dexterity in order to open the closure member. Various devices are further provided to protect the tongue from manipulation by adolescents and for indicating previous tampering with the container. The closure member is connected by a hinge to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Inventor: Harold T. Pehr
  • Patent number: 4785962
    Abstract: A slit valve for sealing an access opening in a vacuum chamber. The slit valve body or door is pivotally mounted adjacent the opening and has a pair of cam blocks mounted at its opposite ends. Cam follower rollers are mounted on a swing arm for reversible pivotal door opening and closing movement effected by a pneumatic cylinder. During closing movement of the swing arm, the cam followers engage the cam block and resiliently pivot the slit valve against the opening. Upon reversed, pivotal opening movement, the cam followers release from the cam block, allowing a spring to return the door to a normally opened position. The slit valve mounting is adapted to provide equal compressive sealing, both top-to-bottom and side-to-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Masato Toshima
  • Patent number: 4785961
    Abstract: In a cap with valve, an annular projection is formed at an inner circumference of a fluid flow path of a cap body to be installed at an opening portion of a container. A valve body is an annular body and provided with an inner circumferential lip element projecting upward at inner circumferential edge and an outer circumferential lip element projecting downward at outer circumferential edge, and the outer circumferential lip element abuts on the annular projection of the cap body. A first disk-shaped support plate is arranged at upper side of the valve body and provided with a support member supporting the upper surface side of the outer circumferential lip element. The first support plate is biased downward by a first spring means from upper side. A second support plate is arranged at lower side of the valve body and provided with a support member supporting the lower surface side of the inner circumferential lip element and with a fluid flowing hole at the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Joji Kasugai, Satoshi Toki, Masayuki Ide, Makoto Miura
  • Patent number: 4785965
    Abstract: A tank having a top surface with a top opening bounded by an upwardly extending tubular neck and a lid. A seal member on the lid is in sealing engagement with the neck inner surface so that the lid can move up and down without losing the seal. A lid retaining member is mounted on the top surface of the tank so as to retain the lid in a position in which the sealing engagement is maintained when the interior of said tank is pressurized so as to urge the lid upwardly and structure is provided for insuring against inadvertent removal of the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Hoover Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4782977
    Abstract: A container defined by a base and cover, with the cover being formed to fit upon the base. The base and lid are formed so that when fitted together at least one wall of each overlaps a wall of the other. The overlapping walls are formed with an aperture which become aligned when the cover and base are fitted together. The container further includes a fastening hasp attached to either the cover or the base. One end of the hasp end is formed to pass through the aligned apertures in only one direction. Once the hasp end is positioned through the aligned aperture any attempt to remove the hasp therefrom brings a portion of the hasp into contact with the wall defining the aperture. This prevents the removal of the hasp from the aligned apertures. The hasp is further formed with a tab which can be grasped and pulled causing the hasp to tear along a pre-scored line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Evergreen Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Watanabe, Johnson N. S. Wong
  • Patent number: 4782974
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a fluid storage tank susceptible of leakage when a closure cap is improperly applied to a filler spout for said tank. The method comprises replacing the closure cap with an adapter constructed and arranged with securing means sufficiently identical to securing means provided on said closure cap to interfit with securing means provided on said closure spout. The adapter has a one-way valve at the inner end of an adapter pipe, and an enlarged collar beyond the outer end of said adapter pipe that interfits with the filler spout in a manner in which said closure cap previously interfit therewith. The enlarged collar has securing means sufficiently similar to securing means on said closure spout to secure said closure cap to said enlarged collar to prevent entry of debris into said adapter when said adapter has been fixed to said filler spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Inventor: Raphael Elkayam
  • Patent number: 4782975
    Abstract: A closure for containers particularly adapted for use in dispensing liquid beverages. The closure includes a spout for delivery of the liquid beverage, and the spout is provided with a flow control valve housed within the spout. The valve and spout are formed of resilient materials, and the valve is normally closed, but is openable by lip pressure applied externally of the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Inventor: Peter Coy
  • Patent number: 4782963
    Abstract: A child-resistant container and closure cap combination is provided by using cooperating members on the internal cylindrical sidewalls of the cap and the cylindrical walls of the container neck. The cooperating members are a pair of studs aligned with the axis on one of the cylindrical walls projecting toward the other and three collars supported on the other of said cylindrical walls. The collars have channels through which the studs must pass in placing the cap on the container or removing it and except through those channels the collars block the studs. Two of the three collars are rotatable and the third fixed. Rotation of the cap and container will cause the stud which is positioned between the relatively rotatable collars to contact and drive a stop means on one rotatable collar. By continued rotation the stop, in turn, contacts and drives a drive post on the other rotatable collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Inventor: Robert M. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4782964
    Abstract: The closure assembly comprises a first cap portion hingedly connected to a second cap portion adapted to be positioned over the mouth of an associated container and including an aperture to permit dispensing from the container. The first cap portion is arranged so that in one position it overlies the aperture to close the container, and in another position is lifted clear of the aperture to open the container. The cap portions together include means so that they can be snapped together and their separation from a closed to an open position requires the exertion of a positive force by the user and the first cap portion includes at its periphery opposite its hinged connection with the second cap portion a lip which co-operates with an inwardly displaceable section of the second cap portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Duma Packaging A/S
    Inventors: Albert C. Poore, Bernard Sams
  • Patent number: 4781303
    Abstract: An easy-opening container of the type commonly used to contain beverages has an end wall that includes a score line and a hinge line with the score and hinge lines together defining a partially separable panel section of the end wall. A pull tab has a ring-shaped lift portion at one end, a finger at its other end and a mounting portion intermediate its ends. The pull tab is mounted at its mounting portion to the end wall adjacent the panel section with the lift portion extending from the mounting portion to overlie and partially frame the panel section and with the finger extending away from the panel section to overlie a portion of the end wall. A locking flange depends from the lift portion to lie in confronting relationship with at least a portion of the periphery of the panel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: Robert A. Wells
  • Patent number: 4781304
    Abstract: Plastic portions of a container rim and mating lid are fused together by an electrical conductor wire loop positioned therebetween when electromagnetically coupled to an induction heating coil. The wire forms a tab extending outside the closed container which may be manually manipulated to remove a lid fused in place to close the container. This container may be hermetically sealed with sanitized foodstuff or the like by concurrently sterilizing with microwave energy while fusing the lid in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Lapeyre
  • Patent number: 4781288
    Abstract: There is disclosed a very compact flat case for carrying prophylactics, such as condoms and the like. The overall dimensions of the case are approximately the same as a large coin. The case has flat top and bottom members which are hinged together with concentric cylindrical walls which support a resilient seal such as an O-ring. One or both of the mating walls are inclined to insure that sealing pressure is applied to the O-ring. The case has a closure which has a pair of detent balls, one each of each of the top and bottom members. The detent balls seat in mating recesses in the opposite member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: George S. Wing
  • Patent number: 4779752
    Abstract: There is disclosed a portable box intended for the filing of papers such as thin flexible credit card receipts and the like. It comprises a container into which is slid and snugly fitted a lining insert having at least two opposed side panels and a bottom panel. The insert panels, which line corresponding walls of the container, are formed with parallel grooves running continuously transversely and opening into the upper borders of the side panels. Flat partition members are slid into these grooves so as to define compartments having openings for the filing of papers. A closure member is snugly fitted into the container, freely resting over the panel upper borders, and is formed with appropriate slots giving access to the compartments as well as with inner furrows into which the upper ends of the partition members are housed. Finally, the container and insert are surrounded by a case to give the box the appearance of a book, which case includes a cover closing over the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventors: Philippe Vallee, Daniel I. Baghdassarian
  • Patent number: 4779755
    Abstract: A fuel cap is provided with a vent system for lowering the actuation pressure of its internal pressure-relief valve in response to rotation of the fuel cap relative to the filler neck in a cap-removal direction. The vent system provides an operative connection between the cap handle and a pressure-relief valve in the cap. The vent system includes a spring for applying a closure-inducing force urging the pressure-relief valve against its valve seat to close a vent aperture in the cap, and a control system for regulating the magnitude of the closure-inducing force in response to rotation of the handle in a cap-removal direction. Use of the control system to lower the magnitude of the closure-inducing force permits the pressure-relief valve to move away from the valve seat to a venting position upon exposure to excessive fuel vapor pressure in the filler neck so that a fuel vapor-venting outlet through the cap is established during a removal of the fuel cap from the filler neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4778077
    Abstract: A lid closure assembly for a bin having a top wall and a circular passage through the top wall, the lid assembly comprising a generally circular lid member having a central portion and cylindrical rim portion with an outer diameter less than that of the passage, an outwardly open annular retaining groove in the rim portion having an O-ring seal disposed in the groove, and coacting means on the lid member and on the top wall of the bin for retaining the lid within the passage when the cylindrical rim portion of the lid member extends downwardly into the passage compressing the O-ring to maintain a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Hoover Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4776483
    Abstract: A Fuel Tank Access Plate (10) is provided for mounting on a fuel tank (12) formed of cross linked polyethylene. The access plate (10) includes an inner plate (14) which has a pair of seal ridges (24, 26) which engage the inner surface of the fuel tank in sealed engagement. The inner plate (14) and an outer ring (16) are secured together by screws (20) which clamp the access plate (10) to the fuel tank (12) and urge the seal ridges into sealing engagement with the fuel tank. The inner plate (14) is provided with ports (54, 62) for movement of fuel to and from the tank and also provides a mount for a combination visual fuel gauge and fuel sender assembly (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: CMT Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry B. Currey
  • Patent number: 4776478
    Abstract: A wastebasket includes a container and a lid which is mounted on the container. The container is formed with an opening providing access to the container's interior. The lid is pivotable about a pivot axis to cover and at least partially uncover the container opening. The pivot axis divides the lid into a forward portion and a rearward portion which are respectively disposed on opposite forward and rearward sides of a vertical plane encompassing the pivot axis when the lid is in a position covering the container opening. The forward portion of the lid has a greater cross-sectional area than the rearward portion, and the rearward portion has a greater weight than the forward portion. The lid is pivotable between a first position, where the lid substantially covers the container opening, and a second position, where the forward portion of the lid is disposed inwardly of the container and uncovers at least a portion of the container opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Miller, Thomas J. Pendleton
  • Patent number: 4776475
    Abstract: A child resistant dispensing closure of the type comprising a cap member and a spout member. The cap member is provided with an exterior skirt, a top surface having an elongated groove formed therein, and an interior skirt. The interior skirt is provided with a cap locking bead adapted to engage a container locking bead provided on the neck of a container for rotatably mounting the cap member on the neck of the container. The elongated groove has a dispensing opening and an open area formed therein, and the interior skirt is provided with an interruption at the location of the open area so as to maintain the area unobstructed. The container locking bead is also provided with an interruption. The spout member includes an elongated body having a longitudinal dispensing passage therein and adapted to be mounted at one end in the elongated groove for rotation with respect to the cap member. The spout member is provided with a depending locking prong adapted for insertion into the open area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation
    Inventor: Donald La Vange
  • Patent number: 4775075
    Abstract: In a money till with a box-shaped housing (10), whose upper side is partially closed by a stationary cover (12) and partially closed by a lid (16), the lid includes two lid parts (18, 20) connected with one another about a pivot axis (22), the first lid part (18) which is closer to the stationary cover (12) being guided for sliding movement parallel to the stationary cover (12), whereas the second lid part (20) is connected with at least one guide element (34) which, at a radial spacing from the pivot axis (22), is engaged with a cam curve (36) so that upon a sliding of the lid (16) the second lid part (20) is pivoted between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Nixdorf Computer AG
    Inventors: Hartmut Kamin, Gunter Baitz