Patents Examined by Harry A. Grosso
  • Waiter's dish caddy
    Patent number: 7975867
    Abstract: A dish caddy includes a base frame formed of multiple, tiered circular racks with vertical support rods attached to the periphery thereof. Each rack includes a wedge-shaped notch formed on its periphery. Superimposed on an upper end of the base frame is a dome-shaped cover having a handle attached thereto. To transport multiple plates to a table, a waiter places each plate on one of the tiered racks and grasps the handle with either hand. The frame is then transported to the table where the waiter can easily remove and serve each plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Laderra Turner
  • Bracket and handle for cooking vessel
    Patent number: 7975874
    Abstract: A cooking vessel bracket and handle provides a first handle portion and a second handle portion each having opposing end portions, parallel spaced apart sides and a back defining a channel between the ends. First handle has handle flanges at first end portion and locking seat at second end portion. Second end portion of first handle and first end portion of second handle are pivotally interconnected for first handle to optionally fold into channel of second handle. Spring biased locking pin within channel of first handle protrudes from first handle between the handle flanges for releasable engagement with pot bracket carried by vessel and operatively communicates with a thumb slide for axial movement in channel. Spring biased handle lock in second handle channel releasably engages with locking seat of first handle to secure the first handle and second handle in extended end to end alignment for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Ian Scott, David Burgett, Kurt Gauss
  • Stackable container systems
    Patent number: 7975866
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a stackable container are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Carol Peterman, David Peterman
  • Smoker's station
    Patent number: 7971745
    Abstract: A disposal unit for discarded smoking products has, a lower tubular section mounted on a base, an upper tubular section with an interior partition to form a closed-bottom receptacle for the discarded smoking products, a removable cap covering an open end of the upper tubular section, and the cap and tubular sections are detachable from one another for emptying the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: United Metal Receptable Corp.
    Inventors: Richard E. Weiss, Barbara McLaughlin
  • Collapsible container
    Patent number: 7971743
    Abstract: A collapsible container for receiving food has a flexible wall that includes at least two layers. The container has a withdrawal opening with a bent opening edge and is closed at its end opposite the withdrawal opening. The container is rolled from a two-dimensional blank which is connected with itself in an overlap region extending in particular in the longitudinal direction of the container by heat and/or pressure. An inspection of the interior of the container is possible, since the container is formed from a transparent and liquid tight material which can be shaped for bending the opening edge and is dimensionally stable after the shaping. A blank for the manufacture of such a collapsible container is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Seda S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco D'Amato
  • Nestable crate
    Patent number: 7967142
    Abstract: A nestable crate provides increased protection to the goods stored inside the crate. Panel portions connect the base to an upper band on each of the walls, while slats are oriented and positioned to provide stack/nest functionality. In an aligned orientation, a pair of crates will stack on one another. With one crate rotated one-hundred-eighty degrees relative to the other, the crates will nest with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Daniel Barbalho
  • Lid and container
    Patent number: 7963419
    Abstract: A lid for a container is disclosed that has a series of seals. The first seal is a rib that is forced against the container interior at a top portion of the container. The second seal is created by at least two ribs that create a spring-like force against the pail. An additional seal is incorporated that includes a skirt having a tear strip with a hook on the tear strip and a hook above the tear strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: BWAY Corporation
    Inventors: Forrest A. Burney, Charles Watling
  • Waste disposal device with self-closing lid
    Patent number: 7963414
    Abstract: Waste disposal device adapted to receive a waste-containing member includes a container defining a waste-receiving compartment having an opening, a lid connected to the container and lid having a first, closed position covering the opening of the container and a second, open position in which the opening is exposed, and a rotation mechanism arranged in the container to rotate the waste-containing member when present in the container. The rotation mechanism is arranged to rotate the waste-containing member upon closure of the lid without manual handling of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: David M. Stravitz
  • Container floor plate, in particular for a refrigerated container
    Patent number: 7963410
    Abstract: The invention concerns a container floor plate (1), in particular for a refrigerated container, with an upper floor layer (2), a lower floor layer (3) and an intermediate insulating layer (8), support blocks (9) being located between the upper floor layer (2) and the lower floor layer (3). The purpose of the invention is to obtain a good insulation with a small mass. For this purpose, the lower floor layer (3) is provided with several transversal supports (10, 11), each support block (9) being supported on a transversal support (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Maersk Container Industri AS
    Inventors: Gert Joergensen, Lars Lübker
  • Hinged lid for a food container
    Patent number: 7963421
    Abstract: A hinged lid for a food container is provided. The lid structure includes a rim with an attached cover member. The lid structure also includes a mounting structure for mounting the lid structure to a food container. A tamper evidence latch is provided to releasably secure the rim in a closed configuration overlying the open end of the food container. The rim engages an upper rolled lip of the food container sidewall when the lid structure is in a closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Huhtamaki, Inc.
    Inventors: George Zeiler, Gregory L. Webb
  • Paint liner, and kit including the same
    Patent number: 7963418
    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: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: A. Richard Tools Co./Outils A. Richard Co.
    Inventors: Romeo Arvinte, Francois Panfili
  • Drinking vessels with sensory enhancers
    Patent number: 7950545
    Abstract: A drinking vessel having one or more sensory enhancing features disposed within a circumferential region in close proximity of the rim of the drinking vessel, such as a wine glass, is provided. The sensory enhancing features are located on the vessel near the rim at such a location that, when a user places the vessel or glass to his or her mouth, the sensory enhancing features of the present invention first contact the sensitive nerve endings on the user's tongue. The designs are etched into or raised from the surface of the vessel and placed where the touch sensitive nerve endings on the tongue can be stimulated. Thus, the sensitive nerve endings on the tongue are stimulated such that a sense of touch is enhanced, and further the flow of saliva is also stimulated to enhance the sense of taste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Darrol Roberts
  • Multiple-use two-reservoir bucket
    Patent number: 7946445
    Abstract: A two-reservoir bucket comprised of conjoint reservoirs with sidewalls intersecting to form a narrow channel between the two reservoirs and an integral or removable divider with passageway(s) positioned in the channel to divide the reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: Frank A. Tytar
  • Dispenser assembly
    Patent number: 7942283
    Abstract: A method and a device for preparing a drinking glass, cup, mug or other beverage container, e.g. drink-ware, where any dry granular, flaked, shaved or powder substance (SPICE) is applied to the rim of the drink-ware. Where the drink-ware is inverted and introduced into the SPICE and in order to adhere the SPICE to the rim of the drink-ware, the rim is customarily first moistened with a liquid, gel or other viscous aqueous wetting substance (moistening agent). The dispenser is an all encompassing system to accommodate common large diameter drink-ware, to moisten the rim of the drink-ware, house the SPICE, preserve the moistening agent and preserve the SPICE by separating the moisture of the wetting agent from the SPICE, providing for drink-ware to be introduced into the wetting agent then into the SPICE and to re-close and secure the device and its contents with a screw or snap-on lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Marc Radow
  • Modified paint can with thumb hole
    Patent number: 7938292
    Abstract: A paint can with a thumb hole disposed therein as an aid in holding such paint can in one hand. The thumb hole has a different shape when designed for use with a gallon can as opposed to the thumb hole when designed for use with a quart can or smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Chornenky
  • Handle or gripping implement for a cooking vessel
    Patent number: 7934621
    Abstract: A handle or gripping implement for a cooking vessel comprises two bottom and top handle elements to be mutually assembled to form the handle or cooking implement, the top element being made of a clear synthetic material and having a surface facing the bottom element, the bottom element including, in turn, a surface facing the top element, the surfaces of the top element and/or of the bottom element supporting wording, trademarks, patterns, colors or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Ballarini Paolo & Figh S.p.A.
    Inventor: Jacopo Ferron
  • Fluid retention package system
    Patent number: 7926679
    Abstract: A food bowl assembly includes a bowl (12) and a food platform (14) that lies in a lower portion of the bowl. The platform supports solid food and allows grease and other fluids to flow to a lower compartment (34) that lies under the platform. The platform has support surfaces (40) on which food lies, has recesses (42) that lie slightly below the level of the support surfaces and into which fluid drains, and has drain holes (50) in the recess though which fluids flow to the lower compartment. All of the holes lie closer to the vertical axis (16) of the bowl assembly than to the rim (24) of the platform, which avoids fluids spilling out of the holes when the bowl assembly is tipped. The bottom of the bowl or the platform, forms a deflector (64) around a region below the holes, with gaps in the barrier that allow fluid to flow to the periphery of the lower compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: PWP Industries (California Corporation)
    Inventor: Terry Vovan
  • Pail with lid and flashed lip
    Patent number: 7922028
    Abstract: A pail includes a base and at least one wall extending upwardly from a periphery of the base to an opening of the pail. A lip protruding outwardly from an upper edge of the at least one wall includes a plurality of flanges. A lid located adjacent the plurality of flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Kyle L. Baltz
  • Hanging condiment container holder
    Patent number: 7922022
    Abstract: A hanging condiment container holder is provided including a clip portion for removably attaching the holder to an upper portion of a food package, a loop portion for receiving a condiment container, and an extension wall extending between the clip portion and the loop portion. The clip portion may be contoured to the shape of the upper edge or lip of a food package such as a cup. Various clip portions may be employed for removably attaching the hanging condiment container holder to a food package such as a cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: CPC Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Ciarrocchi, Jr.
  • Garbage can and support for use with a liner
    Patent number: 7913871
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasably supporting a liner, such as a trash bag or laundry bag, within a container, such as a trash can or laundry basket. The apparatus includes a body and a base. The base includes a top opening and a bottom opening, with the area of the top opening being less than the area of the bottom opening. The base is releaseably attachable to the body using a compliant latch. Additionally, the body gradually slopes inward from the bottom opening to the top opening. The body is configured to receive a liner, which removably fits inside the body to protect the body from direct contact with soiled objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Jack D. Fisher