Patents Examined by Harry A. Grosso
  • Drain pan for mounted water equipment
    Patent number: 8104634
    Abstract: A drain pan and drainage system is herein disclosed. The drain pan includes a basin with a wall mount connected to the basin. A drain hole is formed in a bottom surface of the basin. The drain pan also includes at least one side panel connecting the basin and the wall mount. The drainage system includes a wall, drain pan and water containing device. The water containing device is mounted to the drain pan and both are mounted to the wall. The water containing device and drain pan are mounted in such a way that the water containing device is at least partially enclosed by the drain pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew Scott Gregg, Franklin Shearwood Brizendine, Jr.
  • Tie system for plastic containers
    Patent number: 8100286
    Abstract: A tie system for plastic containers intended to provide greater rigidity and stability, wherein each tie comprises a central bar having two ends with clasps that fit with protuberances existing in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Wenco S.A.
    Inventor: Pedro Chinni Vergottini
  • Container with integral lid retained onto the top of the sidewall of the container by a living hinge, the container used to retain hot liquids
    Patent number: 8100289
    Abstract: A container used to retain hot liquids in manner which enables the liquid within the container to be consumed by a person holding the container in the person's hand and drinking the liquid when the lid is in either the open or closed condition. The container has the unique features of having a self-sealing lid which is retained on the container through a living hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Earthkare Packaging Innovations Company
    Inventor: Glenn Tobias
  • Container
    Patent number: 8091706
    Abstract: A container includes a plurality of walls extending upward from a base. At least one support is movable between a retracted position and a support position. Resilient tabs are provided to prevent inadvertent movement of the support out of the support position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Gerald R. Koefelda
  • Reconfigurable electrical box hanger assembly for suspended ceilings
    Patent number: 8091721
    Abstract: A reconfigurable electrical box hanger assembly for mounting a lighting or fan fixture to the grid supporting structure of a drop ceiling. The hanger assembly includes a one-piece elongated bar, two end pieces with widely spaced support legs, a turnbuckle, and a center bracket supporting an electrical box. The turnbuckle and end pieces are rotatable with respect to the elongated bar, thereby enabling two configurations of the hanger assembly including a compact profile for storage and shipping and an expanded profile for installation on a suspended ceiling. A locking arrangement includes bendable tabs which lock the end pieces with respect to the elongated bar thereby placing the hanger assembly into the expanded profile for installation on a suspended ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Readily cleanable spill-resistant drinking vessel and valve
    Patent number: 8091730
    Abstract: A no-spill drinking vessel includes a cup, lid, spout and valve assembly. The valve assembly includes: a liquid-out valve with hinged flap, air vent check valve, air and liquid inlets, air and liquid outlets, and a mechanism for retention to the lid. The valve assembly is constructed from inexpensive molded elastomeric components. In usage mode these components cleave sealingly together by the resilient returning forces they exert on each other's complementary interlocked geometries. The fluid and air passageways, inlet and outlet port openings, mouthpiece channels and openings, and the interior volumes of the valve bodies are defined by spaces between the abutted elastomeric components. When manually separated into a cleaning configuration, the interior liquid-contacting surfaces become exposed, external surfaces for ready cleaning. The closure is baby-proof and small parts are tethered together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Granola BeBe LLC
    Inventors: Gwendolyn Huyen Keefe, Jeffery Laurence Harlan, John Joseph Keefe, III
  • Apparatus, system, and method for providing a securing mechanism for a vessel
    Patent number: 8087538
    Abstract: An apparatus in an example implementation includes a vessel that includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall includes a first set of grooves configured on an interior portion of a bottom of the outer wall. The inner wall includes a second set of grooves configured on an exterior of the inner wall. The first set of grooves are configured to interface with the second set of grooves to secure the inner wall and the outer wall together. In more specific embodiments, the first set of grooves and the second set of grooves are provided as ascending steps such that a rotational force applied to one of the walls operates to engage subsequent steps in each of the first and second sets of grooves. The walls are configured such that a rotational force creates a force being applied to the lip to secure the walls together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Thermoserv Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles W. Andrews, Thomas G. Morris, II, Jack R. Rigby
  • Cooling method and nine-down packaging configuration for enhanced cooling of produce
    Patent number: 8083085
    Abstract: The invention encompasses packaging and cooling methods and systems designed to improve cooling efficiencies, reduce damage to the contents of containers, and increase product packing density. A system of the present invention incorporates baskets loaded into trays and trays loaded in preferred configurations on a pallet. The trays are loaded with baskets arranged in the tray so that ventilation slots and/or channels of the baskets are aligned with tray ventilation openings. Nine (9) trays are loaded onto a standard pallet in a 3 by 3 configuration. Additionally, the trays are arranged so that the tray ventilation openings are in alignment with ventilation openings of other trays of the same layer. This 3 by 3 layer of trays comprises a so-called “nine-down” configuration. As will be discussed below, his configuration has some surprising cooling advantageous standard packaging configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sambrailo Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Sambrailo, William K. Sambrailo, Mark Sambrailo, legal representative, Anthony Cadiente
  • Bulk material container with adaptable base
    Patent number: 8083083
    Abstract: An adaptable bulk material container system comprising 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 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. The base also includes a support flange mounted on the support frame and extending outwardly from the support frame and having an outer perimeter surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Brad Mohns
  • Trash pail lid lock apparatus and method of use
    Patent number: 8083088
    Abstract: A trash pail lid lock apparatus for removably securing a trash pail lid on a trash pail, comprising: a) two spaced radial arms, having inner end portions attached together, and peripheral end portions generally extending to a peripheral edge portion of the trash pail lid; b) a sleeve member having a lateral side portion attached to the peripheral end portion of the radial arm, and having a sleeve portion thereof oriented so that an axis therethrough is upright; c) an upright J shaped member having an upright portion slidably, rotatably, and closely positioned within the sleeve portion of the sleeve member, said lower end portion of the J shaped member having an upwardly extending unattached end portion adapted to be received between a peripheral upright wall and lip of the trash pail; and, d) a spring to maintain the J shaped member in a lifted engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph H. Thompson, Sheldon L. White
  • Crate system
    Patent number: 8079491
    Abstract: A crate system for transport of items. The system includes a set of U shaped tubes that are mounted in an upright position on beams. A second set of U shaped tubes are also mounted in an upright position on beams. Each assembled set are then mounted on top of one another to form a crate system. The crate system can safely secure and even stack heavy items on top of one another. These crate systems can then be disassembled for packing and shipping back to the original shipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Marty Williams
  • Container and bag system with detachable partition
    Patent number: 8079489
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for improved trash containers with liners and a vented divider is described. The vented divider is installed in one corner of the container to facilitate air inlet such that the bag is easier to retrieve even when full. For reasons of utility and aesthetics the divider has plurality of inlets at the bottom instead of a single inlet. The divider also includes an access member, a pair of parallel flexible hinges also known as living hinges as well as a holder for a prior art air freshener. Means for easy installation and removal and reinstallation in a new trash container are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Bryan Raymond Welch
  • Bulk container corner sling adapter
    Patent number: 8074828
    Abstract: A bulk container for storing materials comprises a tank having a peripheral side wall connected to a generally rectangular top wall. A lifting lug is secured to the tank at each corner of the top wall. Each lifting lug comprises a generally L-shaped metal plate having first and second legs. A corner sling adapter is mounted at each lifting lug. Each corner sling adapter includes a stiffener plate having a base connected to upturn sides and a padeye comprising a planar body with a through opening. The padeye planar body is secured to and extends upwardly from the base. Each corner sling adapter is fastened to one of the corner lifting lugs whereby the padeye planar body at each corner of the top wall is substantially in-line with the padeye planar body at an opposite corner of the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hoover Materials Handling Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dean Hartley, Scott T. Meints
  • Can closure arrangement
    Patent number: 8070012
    Abstract: A closure arrangement for cans and pots comprising a tubular body having a side wall whose upper edge defines a seat for a lid. The upper edge comprises a peripheral annular flange carrying, in a free outer edge, a continuous rib with a cross-section contour comprising two opposite circle arc portions, with curvature centers disposed in the same plane orthogonal to the axis of the tubular body, the lid being inferiorly provided with a continuous circumferential groove to be seated against the respective circle arc portions of the continuous rib, so as to axially lock the lid in the tubular body. An annular gasket is carried by one of the parts of peripheral annular flange and lid, to be pressed by the other of said parts upon closing the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Brasilata S/A Embalagens Metalicas
    Inventors: Antonio Carlos Teixeira Alvares, Antonio Roberto Sene
  • Corrugated septic tank with strengthening features
    Patent number: 8070005
    Abstract: A molded thermoplastic tank for use as a septic tank or storage tank when buried in soil has a combination of transverse peak and valley corrugations in combination with one or more lengthwise peak corrugations, to provide in effect a molded-in beam structure. The lengthwise corrugations may be at the top, between spaced apart access ports, along the bottom. In one embodiment, the top has an H-shape pattern beam structure. In another embodiment separately formed plastic beams and or a combination of vertical and horizontal struts are inside the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Infiltrator Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Kruger, James J. Burnes, Brian Burnes, legal representative
  • Portable holder for beverage containers
    Patent number: 8066148
    Abstract: A portable holder for beverage containers includes a basket suspended from a first movable position piece. The first movable position piece is rotatably connected to a first plate. The first plate is connected to a second plate. The second plate may be attached to a hanging member for suspending the portable holder for beverage containers. The second plate may be attached to a strap for securing the second plate to a stationary object or a moving vehicle. The portable holder for beverage containers may be configured to fold into a smaller size for storage when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick J. Garahan
  • Transport device and method for transporting fluid
    Patent number: 8066135
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses a transport device for transporting loose cargo and fluid, including: an elongate loading floor on which loose cargo can be placed; a fluid tank to be fixed releasably to the loading floor and in which fluid can be stored, wherein the tank can be folded in longitudinal direction over the loading floor between a collapsed state in which the tank takes up a minimum loading floor area, to enable transport of a relatively large quantity of loose cargo, and an expanded state to enable transport of a relatively large amount of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Albers Alligator Projekten B.V.
    Inventor: Hendrikus Johannes Maria Albers
  • Food serving unit
    Patent number: 8066145
    Abstract: The invention is a device that is designed to keep foods placed within it cold and the bugs away. The invention has a tub made out of a double layer of plastic. The tub has a drain in the bottom so water from melting ice can be drained off. The double walled construction is design to allow the tub to sit on a flat surface but still allow liquid to be removed by the drain. The tub also contains indentions in the bottom for the placement of the top tubes of a stand. On top of the tub is placed a covering that makes a quarter circle and covers the top. The covering is attached to the tub and stays in place when the tub is in use. The covering can be rotated for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventors: Cheryl Durbin, David H. Durbin
  • Bottle crate
    Patent number: 8056753
    Abstract: A nestable crate for bottles which includes a floor member and first and second pairs of opposed sidewalls integrally formed with the floor member. Each sidewall includes a side band member which is defined by a centrally disposed upper edge and lower edge. The lower edge is spaced above the floor member by a predetermined distance to define a sidewall nesting area therebelow. The upper and lower edges each contoured downwardly to form a corner band portion having a corner upper edge and corner lower edge, wherein each nesting area matingly receives a corresponding side band member of a crate nested subjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Gerald R. Koefelda, William P. Apps
  • Collapsible container
    Patent number: 8056723
    Abstract: A container includes a plurality of walls extending upward from a base. At least one support is movable between a retracted position and a support position. The base includes projections downwardly from each corner of the base for interlocking with a larger container stacked thereunder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Mauricio D. Cavalcante