Patents Examined by Harry A. Grosso
  • Patent number: 8256640
    Abstract: A container includes: a base; one or more sidewalls integrally formed with and extending upwardly from the base, wherein the sidewalls surround an internal cavity and wherein one or more of the sidewalls include a reinforcing web of increased wall thickness; and an upper edge on the sidewalls defining a top opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ropak Corporation
    Inventors: Frano Luburic, Joshua Dana Urban, Ralph G. Perkins
  • Patent number: 8256638
    Abstract: A paint liner having a containment area within the paint liner for receiving and containing paint, the containment area defining a peripheral edge provided with a rim, the rim being provided with male and female components, the male and female components of the paint liner being positioned, shaped and sized with respect to one another so that the paint liner can be operated along first and second operating modes, where in the first operating mode the male component of the paint liner is insertable into a corresponding female component of another paint liner so that the paint liners can be nested into one another, and where in the second operating mode the paint liner is turned over so that the male component of the paint liner is insertable into another corresponding female component of the other paint liner in order to have the first paint liner cover the containment area of the other paint liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: A. Richard Tools Co./Outils A. Richard Co.
    Inventors: Romeo Arvinte, Francois Panfili
  • Patent number: 8256635
    Abstract: A collapsible cargo container assembly includes a collapsible skeleton framework defining a front, rear and opposite sides of the container assembly and includes a plurality of generally parallel ribs spaced from and generally planar to each other when the container assembly is in an open condition. A plurality of articulated braces are connected to and extend between the ribs to hold the ribs in spaced relationship in the open condition of the container assembly. The articulated braces are foldable to position the ribs in juxtaposition alongside each other in a collapsed condition of the container assembly. A flexible cover is positioned substantially about the collapsible framework and is fixed thereto for folding therewith as the framework moves back-and-forth between the open and collapsed conditions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aero Containers International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Schardein, Lawrence F. Bender
  • Patent number: 8256637
    Abstract: Wire formed products are formed of wires of various cross-sectional shapes and sizes shaped and assembled to form containers, holders, dispensers and the like for household and office use. In preferred arrangements, the wire formed product comprises a weldment of frame and connecting wires. The connecting wires form arches that each include an arcuate end extending to spaced legs that overlap with the legs of adjacent wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Spectrum Diversified Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheldon H. Goodman, Omer I. Sazir, Elizabeth A. Cho
  • Patent number: 8251248
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating manual movement of a trash container having an upwardly opening container component with a pair of handles, a set of wheels, and a lid, includes an elongated apparatus or “tool” for the user to attach to the handles. A mid section of the tool engages the handles, an upwardly extending upper section provides a lever arm for the user to grasp, and a downwardly extending lower section contacts the container component in opposition to pivotal movement of the object about the handle axis. Preferably, a lid-restraining section is included that restrains pivotal movement of the lid about its hinges when the trash container is tilted on the wheels and moved. A first embodiment hooks onto the handles. A second embodiment includes a bifurcated mid section that engages the handles by extending downwardly through the spaces between the handles and the container component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: James Ivan Holmes
  • Patent number: 8251242
    Abstract: A container having a base, a lid, and a tamper-evident, closed band. The base includes a sealing section and defines a space and an opening at a periphery that has an outwardly extending base flange with a contact surface. The lid has a lid sealing section and an outwardly extending lid flange having a contact surface. The base sealing section and the lid sealing section form a reclosable snap fit. The lid and base flanges can also include a removed portion to create an increased distance between contact surfaces on the lid and base flanges. The tamper-evident, closed band can attach at a first end to one of the base and lid, with a free second end, can be substantially detachable from the base or lid as a closed band, and can also extend to substantially prevent direct manual access to the lid and base flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: PWP Industries
    Inventor: Terry Vovan
  • Patent number: 8240502
    Abstract: A method for providing a fuel tank assembly is provided with the fuel tank assembly configured to limit the damage otherwise occasioned by the impact of a ballistic projectile. The fuel tank assembly may include a bladder defined between exterior and interior bladder walls, with the interior bladder wall defining a volume for storing fuel. The exterior bladder wall is at least as rigid than the interior bladder wall. The fuel tank assembly can also include connectors between the exterior and interior bladder walls to at least partially limit expansion of the bladder. The fuel tank assembly can also include an inlet opening into the bladder to permit a pressurized gas to be introduced into the bladder. The fuel tank assembly may also include a valve through the interior bladder wall into the volume for storing fuel to permit at least some of the pressurized gas to be introduced therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Childress, Warren A. Davis, II
  • Patent number: 8240494
    Abstract: An adaptable bulk material container system comprises a hopper having an interior for receiving the bulk material and an upper opening and a lower opening. The hopper comprises an upper portion defining an upper portion of the interior and including an upper perimeter wall about the interior. The hopper also includes a lower portion defining a lower portion of the interior and being positioned below the upper portion. The upper portion may be separable from the lower portion such that the upper portion is removable from the lower portion. The system also includes an adaptable base supporting the hopper, with the hopper being mounted on the adaptable base. The base comprises a support frame mounted on the hopper and extending downwardly from the hopper, with the support frame forming a perimeter about the lower portion of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Brad Mohns
  • Patent number: 8240505
    Abstract: A container including a container body and a sealing cover. A peripheral wall of the container body has at least one recessed wall portion disposed in one corner thereof and forms a retracted external space area and concave camber between the recessed wall portion and a hem. A pull tab extends from an outer side of a cover sealing rib and is inserted into above said concave camber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Ya-Chien Chen
  • Patent number: 8235237
    Abstract: Waste disposal device that receives a waste-containing member includes a container defining a waste-receiving compartment having an opening, a lid having a closed position covering the opening and an open position in which the opening is exposed, and a rotation mechanism arranged in the container to rotate the waste-containing member when present. The rotation mechanism is arranged to rotate the waste-containing member upon closure of the lid without manual handling of the lid. A foot pedal assembly includes a depressible foot pedal and a spring, and is arranged to cause both opening of the lid when the foot pedal is depressed and closure of the lid when the pressing force is removed. The spring is moved against its bias upon depression of the foot pedal and returns to its original state when the pressing force is removed to thereby cause closure of the lid and rotation of the waste-containing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: David M Stravitz
  • Patent number: 8235238
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for improved containers and lids, and combinations thereof. Multiple compartments are provided in a container, one of which can be formed as the container's handle. The lid incorporates a plurality of hinged openings situated on the periphery of the cover, and the container includes a molded unitary body plastic container comprised of at least two chambers or compartments. The lid openings can be located strategically over or adjacent the container chambers/compartments, to provide independent access thereto. The compartments or chambers within the container separate the contents thereof, while multiple hinged openings may allow access to individual or multiple chambers or compartments within the container. Tamper evidencing structures in conjunction with detents or engagement structures may hold the lid and container openings in the desired relationship during shipping, handling, storage, and/or use. Related methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: ROPAK Corporation
    Inventor: Franco Luburic
  • Patent number: 8231023
    Abstract: Removal of the bottom end of a container, and provision of the container with threaded sections at both ends of the container allows multiple containers of the same type to be threaded together to form a tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Airis Corporation
    Inventor: Bohdan M. Petyhyrycz
  • Patent number: 8225953
    Abstract: A resin-made fuel tank structure of a vehicle is provided to suppress the formation of a notch in a mounting portion of an insert portion on a tank body. The fuel tank structure includes a tank body. The tank body includes a resin material having fuel permeation resistance. The fuel tank structure includes an insert portion separate from the tank body. The insert portion includes a resin material. The insert portion also includes a mounting portion to mount the insert portion on the tank body and a fuel fill opening. The insert portion is configured to be mounted to an outer layer of the tank body. The outer layer of the tank body is configured to be in close contact with an end portion of the mounting portion of the insert portion. The outer layer is configured to bulge more outward and upward than the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Matayoshi, Akihito Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8225952
    Abstract: The present invention provides a 3D tumbler structure including an inner tumbler body, made of a transparent material, having an accommodating space therein; a metallic painting layer, coated on the outer surface of the inner tumbler body, wherein when at least one soft magnet is provided in the accommodating space, the metallic powders contained in the metallic painting layer will be attracted and gathered by the soft magnet to form patterns with 3D halo effect according to the shape of the soft magnet; and an outer tumbler body, made of a transparent material, covering on the inner tumbler body and the metallic painting layer to form a integral tumbler structure by an injection molding process for providing a 3D visual effect. Therefore, the present invention can provide enhanced texture and distinguishability for the tumbler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Ching-Tien Chen
  • Patent number: 8225957
    Abstract: A thermally insulated glass and/or bottle is provided as an insulated glass and/or bottle made from glass with an interstitial space in the sides and bottom. The sides and bottom of the glass are double-walled, forming an interstitial space for insulating purposes. The interstitial space can be left filled with air, or filled with an insulating material such as STYROFOAM®. The interstitial space not only reduces or eliminates condensation from forming on the exterior of the glass when filled with cold liquid on hot, humid days, but it also helps keep the liquid cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Ken M. Volan
  • Patent number: 8210378
    Abstract: The present invention provides a waterproof box which has small size, high workability in its assembling, and high waterproof character. The waterproof box includes a body including a peripheral body wall which has an annular convex rim defining an opening, and a first fulcrum portion which is provided on the peripheral body wall; and a cover covering the opening and including a peripheral cover wall which has an annular chase defined by a inner wall and an outer wall and engaged with the annular convex rim, and a second fulcrum portion which is provided on the peripheral cover wall and engaged with the first fulcrum portion so that the cover rotates about the fulcrum portions. A height of a first edge of the inner wall corresponding to the second fulcrum portion is lower than that of a second edge of the inner wall adjacent to the first edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Takeuchi, Takeshi Onoda, Noriaki Akamine
  • Patent number: 8210389
    Abstract: The present invention is a drain apparatus and method that is adapted to support a portable machine, the apparatus includes a housing with a base, and a surrounding sidewall extending from the base defining an interior. Further included is a margin platform that includes an inner and outer periphery, the outer periphery is adjacent to the surrounding sidewall, the margin platform is oppositely disposed from the base. Also included is a divider disposed adjacent to the inner periphery, the divider having a convex configuration facing the base, the margin platform and the divider separates the interior into a first region and a second region. The divider having an aperture for communication between the first and second regions, the housing having an opening between the second region and an exterior environment. The margin platform supports the portable machine that is suspended over the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: William Treslo
  • Patent number: 8210388
    Abstract: A reusable container which provides flame and thermal protection for shipping hazardous materials such as cylinders containing compressed gas has a flame resistant reinforced outer shell having a bottom section hingedly coupled to a top section. A first inner layer of thermal insulating material is fitted into the top and bottom sections of the outer shell. An optional second inner layer of shock absorbing material with thermal insulating properties is fitted next to the first inner layer and configured to contact and conform to surface sections of the compressed gas cylinder. An interior liner comprised of a durable liner constructed of fabric or molded heat-resistant plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Airward Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Samuel Logan, James Forrest Frazier
  • Patent number: 8205763
    Abstract: A reusable container has four vertical side walls affixed to a rectangular base that can be moved between an extended position and a folded position. When the vertical side walls are in the extended position, the vertical side walls form a rectangular enclosure about a rectangular base. The rectangular enclosure can be divided into two sections by one or more movable members positioned within the rectangular enclosure for transporting different-sized documents, papers, or files. The vertical side walls may be moved into a folded position when the reusable container is empty to reduce the space required for transporting the empty containers. The reusable container interlocks with other reusable containers stacked on a dolly in either the extended position or the folded position such that stacks of reusable containers can be pushed on a dolly up inclines and over bumps without any restraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Rentacrate LLC
    Inventor: Eric Victor Fredrickson
  • Patent number: 8201706
    Abstract: A can cover and method are provided for preventing debris from entering an opening in a lid of a pop-top can. The pop-top can includes an upper rim extending about the lid and a pivotable pop-top operatively connected to the lid. The can cover includes a generally flat sheet and a disc removably connected to the sheet. The disc includes a first side, a second side and an opening therethrough. Indicia is provided on the first side of the disc. The disc is receivable on the pop-top can such that the second side engages the rim of the pop-top can and the pop-top extends through the opening in the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Riverwest Engineering & Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey M. Dembowiak, Edmund A. Malczewski