Patents Examined by James M Van Buskirk
  • Closure caps
    Patent number: 9790009
    Abstract: A cap for a container closure or closure plug includes a cap top having a top surface and a bottom surface, and an attachment ring extending axially downward from the bottom surface of the cap top under a central portion of the cap top. The attachment ring is securingly engageable with a container closure or closure plug. The attachment ring includes a cam surface extending radially outward from the attachment ring, where the cam surface deflects the attachment ring radially inward upon engagement of the attachment ring with the container closure or closure plug. The cap top and the attachment ring are connected by at least one frangible connection and at least one permanent connection, where the at least one permanent connection retains the cap top in one piece upon breaking of the at least one frangible connection for removal of the cap from the container closure or closure plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: GREIF INTERNATIONAL HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Sebastien Yves Aldolphe Ledemeney
  • Box for packaging an object
    Patent number: 9783355
    Abstract: According to the invention, the box for packaging an object, comprising at least two upper edges, comprising: lateral walls, a delimiting bottom, with the lateral walls, an internal volume able to receive said object, and a moving cover in relation to at least one of said lateral walls, so as to be able to occupy at least one closed position and one open position, in which said receiving volume is respectively closed and open, characterized by the fact that the cover comprises, on its internal face oriented toward the receiving volume, at least two main flaps that are arranged opposite each other and that are designed to be applied respectively against the upper edges of said object, when the cover occupies the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Pierre-Marie Morin, Didier Caban, Jean-Marc Le Foulgoc
  • Flexible container and filling device for such a flexible container and corresponding filling method
    Patent number: 9783332
    Abstract: A flexible container (10.1; 10.2) has sealed connection to a process unit (20). A vacuum is applied to chambers (12, 22) opening into one another. A receptacle for a support apparatus (30.1; 30.2; 30.3) or the support apparatus (30.2) itself is arranged in or on the wall (14.1; 14.3) of the container (10.1; 10.2). A filling device (30) and a filling method for such a container are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: FLECOTEC AG
    Inventors: Guenter Untch, Martin Koch
  • Stacking box and system
    Patent number: 9776758
    Abstract: A container system includes a first corrugated paper container and a second corrugated paper container. The first corrugated paper container has a slot formed in a first side thereof. The second corrugated paper container is disposed adjacent to the first corrugated paper container. The second corrugated paper container has a retaining tab formed from a side of the second corrugated paper container. The retaining tab extends into the slot of the first container so as to couple the first corrugated paper container to the second corrugated paper container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Innovative Packaging Solutions
    Inventors: Michael Rentzel, Josh Gordon, Charles Kelley
  • Packaging container, and blank usable in the production of such a packaging container
    Patent number: 9776764
    Abstract: A packaging container comprises a first portion formed of a first material or material combination mainly consisting of plastic, a second portion formed of a second material or material combination mainly consisting of a fiber based packaging laminate, and a pouring opening formed in the first portion. The second portion is provided with an arrangement for separating the entire first portion from the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Hanna Lejon, Bengt Andersson, Mats Johansson
  • Double walled thermal container with ring seal
    Patent number: 9750359
    Abstract: A double walled thermal container includes an outer container with an inner container mounted therein. Structural support is provided by an internal connection between the inner container and the outer container to minimize stress on the connection point. A separate elastomeric seal is preferably provided to prevent moisture from entering the area between the inner and outer containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Water bottle
    Patent number: 9745105
    Abstract: A portable, personal apparatus for transporting liquid having a bottle configured to contain liquid. The bottle has a longitudinal axis. A first opening open in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis in a pour position. A first cover coupled to the bottle and configured to close the first opening in a closed position. A second opening open in a direction generally orthogonal with the longitudinal axis in a fill position. A second cover coupled to the bottle and configured to close the second opening in a storage position. The second cover remaining coupled to the bottle when the second cover is in the fill position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: HYDROS BOTTLE, LLC
    Inventors: Jay Kiran Parekh, Aakash Mathur, Joseph Jackson, Ian White, David Fowlkes, Ian McDermott
  • Protective enclosure for an electronic device
    Patent number: 9743540
    Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a structural layer having a plurality of openings. The structural layer can be made of a first material and provide rigidity to the protective enclosure. The protective enclosure can include an outer cushion portion made of a second material and disposed over an outer surface of the structural layer. The outer cushion portion can provide cushioning to the protective enclosure. The protective enclosure can include an inner cushion portion connected to the outer cushion portion and can be configured to protrude through the openings of the structural layer and extend beyond the structural layer, supporting the electronic device installed in the protective enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventor: Cameron D. Magness
  • Holding apparatus for receiving specimen slides
    Patent number: 9733163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding apparatus (10) for receiving specimen slides (1), having a holder (3, 4, 5) for handling the holding apparatus (10) and having at least two identification units (2a, 2b) that make available different information items to enable characterization of the orientation of the holding apparatus (10) in a stainer or coverslipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Berberich, Christian Wilke, Jurgen Tenhaef
  • Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab
    Patent number: 9708106
    Abstract: A container which includes a base (12) that can hold food and a lid (14) that closes on the base, which clearly indicates if the lid has been opened after a clerk loaded food into the base and closed the lid. The base and lid each have trapping portions (20, 22) and pull-open portions (24, 32) with a tear-tab, or tear-open barrier (80). To close the lid, a clerk projects a tab (30) on the pull-open portion of the lid through a slot (26) in the pull-open portion of the base, and then presses down the entire trapping portion of the lid into the trapping portion of the base. The lid cannot be lifted up because the tear-open barrier (80) forming the top wall of the slot lies over the tab. To open the container, a person must tear the barrier so he/she can pull up the tab 30 and open the lid. The fact that the barrier has been torn is obvious.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Pactiv LLC
    Inventor: Terry Vovan
  • Dual sterilization containment vessel
    Patent number: 9707077
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a vessel for holding replacement heart valves and associated positioning and installation apparatus which is configured and adapted to contain a biocidal sterilization fluid during and following exposure of a delivery system for the replacement heart valve to sterilization by ionizing radiation and methods of use therefor. The vessel includes a shield which limits exposure of biologically derived material therein to radiation. The vessel also provides a storage and shipping container for the replacement heart valve in which the biologically derived material is maintained in a sterile fluid environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Chang, Brian K. McCollum, Michael J. Conroy
  • System and method for transport of temperature sensitive materials
    Patent number: 9694964
    Abstract: A transport system for temperature sensitive materials includes a contents container and one or more thermal batteries in a stacked relationship in a thin-walled, flexible transport sleeve. The sleeve facilitates insertion and removal of the contents with respect to a thermally insulated container. The sleeve can be closed with a tamper-evident closure and may also be transparent to allow an observer to view indicia on the contents container indicating the temperature-sensitive nature of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Barson Composites Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce McCormick
  • Device case with added functionality
    Patent number: 9696756
    Abstract: A case for a device includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity. A first one of the walls is opposite the opening and is configured as a support surface to support a portion of a first housing of the device and also has a first recess therein configured to receive a portion of at least a first end of a band of the device. A second one of the walls defines an edge of the opening that is configured to extend along a center support of the band with the optical element of the device being positioned between the second one of the walls and the support surface when the device is received in the cavity. The case also includes a lid configured to cover the opening and to selectively enclose the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Maj Isabelle Olsson, Matthew Wyatt Martin, Joseph John Hebenstreit, Peter Michael Cazalet
  • Wire management featured integrated into PETG tray for EM trackable disposable products
    Patent number: 9687300
    Abstract: A packaging assembly for an electromagnetic trackable surgical tool and wiring thereof. The packaging assembly includes a first tray with at least one first retention member configured to couple the surgical tool to the first tray. The packaging assembly further includes a second tray configured to couple with the first tray. The second tray has at least one second retention member configured to couple the wiring of the surgical tool to the second tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Teresa Hartfelder, James M. Inabinett
  • UV-protected container with products having dyes or lakes
    Patent number: 9682803
    Abstract: A container and product system comprising a container adapted to house a product, the container comprising a substantially transparent multi-layered laminate body and a product housed in the container, the product comprising dyes, lakes, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter J. Fallat, Derek Samaroo, John Malloy, Thomas Boyd, Joel Millon, Yu Shi
  • Welding consumable container with protective open rim
    Patent number: 9682798
    Abstract: A container having a wall, where the wall includes a score line that defines a removable lid, where the score line defines the perimeter of the lid. The container lid includes a protective component extending inwardly of the perimeter of the lid and covering a sharp edge of a burr formed by removing the lid from the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Weissbrod
  • Insulated beverage-container holder
    Patent number: 9655463
    Abstract: An insulating beverage-can holder including: a can-receiving cup; a primary lid that is secured to the upper edge of the cup and has (a) a main portion defining a drinking hole aligned with the can opening, (b) a disk of resiliently-deformable material on the underside of the main portion to form a seal about the can opening and having an aperture aligned with the drinking hole, and (c) a circumferential rim disposed to form a seal around the edge of the cup; and a secondary lid which is hinged to the primary lid at opposite sides of the main portion and is movable between a first position exposing the drinking hole and a second position closing the drinking hole and covering an area of the primary lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: William G. Madala
  • Fillable closure comprising a push button for triggering
    Patent number: 9650174
    Abstract: The fillable closure is used to trigger the emptying of a capsule that can be inserted in the closure and filled separately. The closure consists of a closing cap which can be attached to the neck of a container and in which a separately fillable capsule can be inserted in the closed state from beneath. The region above the inserted capsule on the closing cap forms a push button. A downwardly projecting protuberance is molded on the lower face. The protuberance abuts against the inserted capsule. Using pressure from above, the push button can be pressed to deform an initially convex shape as seen from above into a concave shape, the protuberance pushing the upper face of the capsule and the content thereof downward. A film, which forms the lower face of the capsule, is thus placed under tensile stress such that it breaks or bursts along weakened lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignees: RIWISA AG, BEVASWISS AG
    Inventors: Fritz Seelhofer, Wolfgang Zangerle
  • Portable beverage container with ultrasonic welded joint and method of making the same
    Patent number: 9642482
    Abstract: A product, e.g., insulated beverage bottle having a lid, and method of making it are disclosed. The product includes an outer hollow blow molded vessel in which an inner hollow blow molded vessel, is disposed. Each of vessel has a sidewall from which a flange projects. The flange of the outer vessel includes an annular wall. The flange of the inner vessel includes an engagement surface having an annular groove to receive the annular wall of the outer vessel. The inner vessel is arranged to be supported within the outer vessel on the flange of the outer vessel and with portions of the annular wall and annular groove engaging each other. Ultrasonic energy is applied to one of the flanges adjacent the engaging surfaces to concentrate the ultrasonic welding energy at those surfaces to produce a good double sided shear joint weldment thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Tervis Tumbler Company
    Inventors: Sean T. Flowers, James M. Sheely, William D. Voyles
  • Composite fiber reinforcement for stiffening shells
    Patent number: 9629431
    Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for reinforcing fragile portions of a device case. In some embodiments, the device case can be reinforced by a reinforcing member made up of composite extrusions that are embedded within a top edge portion of the stiffening shell. The device shell can be utilized to define and maintain an overall shape of the device case. Composite fibers suitable for use in these embodiments can have high tensile strength and high tensile modulus. The device case can include a single length of embedded twisted composite fibers that extend continuously around the top edge or alternatively can include a number of discrete segments that reinforce particularly fragile portion of the top edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua A. Hoover, Aaron P. Beese, Ambert T. Yeung