Patents Examined by Jeffrey Allen
  • Patent number: 9957091
    Abstract: A lip protector for use on canned beverages has a cover member formed in the shape of a section of the top of an ordinary beverage can to therefore be adapted to removably and securely fit upon the external top of the can. The cover member including a drinking opening adapted to correspond to a drinking opening of the can; and a tab pivotally connected to the cover member having a shape adapted to snugly and removably fit within the drinking opening of the cover, wherein the lip protector can be removably placed upon a beverage can and used to safely drink from the can without a person's lips touching an external surface of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Roger Bonin
  • Patent number: 9949593
    Abstract: An embossed paper-based bakeable tray having a bottom surface and sidewalls and an embossed pattern formed in the bottom surface providing a series of closely spaced projections substantially entirely over the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Smart Packaging, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Pugh
  • Patent number: 9938054
    Abstract: A lid assembly including a camming lever and a sealing member for selectively sealing and unsealing a drinking aperture of a lid main body. The camming lever is rotatably to selectively move the sealing member between a sealed position adjacent to and an unsealed position spaced apart from the drinking aperture. The camming lever includes a lever arm extending from two cams having a cam axle extending therebetween. The cam axle is pivotally attached to the sealing member, which is pivotally attached to the lid main body. The cams engage an upper surface of the lid main body. A stub axle extends laterally outward from each cam and engages a ledge which limiting upward movement of the cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventor: Evan Michael Choltco-Devlin
  • Patent number: 9932164
    Abstract: A sponge for insertion into the open upper end of a mud pan which acts as a plug to prevent the mud in the mud pan from drying out during periods of non-use of the mud pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Craig A. Vogeler
  • Patent number: 9930996
    Abstract: A closure for a container for storing granulated powder. The closure includes a collar and a lid, a locking portion on the collar, and a locking portion on the lid, the collar locking portion operable to releasably engage the lid locking portion when the lid is in a closed position on the collar. The closure further includes a latch element on the collar and a latch element on the lid, the collar last element operable to releasably engage the lid locking portion. Some embodiments are operable to provide two audible sounds verifying the lid has been properly closed. Some embodiments include a modified elongated scoop having a length equal to the diameter of the inner perimeter of the lid for improved user experience scooping product from the bottom of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.
    Inventors: Robin P. Wiggins, Johanna Kahn
  • Patent number: 9926114
    Abstract: A quick release container is provided that includes a base having a base perimeter with a well configured to hold a product, and a lid assembly configured to be removably coupled to the base. The lid assembly includes a lid having: (i) an outer portion extending around a top of the base and having a height extending from the top of the base; and (ii) an inner portion extending between a perimeter of the outer portion and disposed over the well of the base. The lid assembly also includes a depressible element extending between the perimeter of the outer portion, spaced from the inner portion and configured to move along the height of the outer portion, and a clamping device coupled to the lid and removably coupled to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: HCT GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: David Jeffrey Eberlein
  • Patent number: 9924834
    Abstract: Disclosed is an expanded polystyrene cooler having a body, a lid and a lid locking mechanism, said lid locking mechanism including a transversely-extending ridge near the perimeter of the underside surface of the lid, with the ridge surrounding the majority of said underside surface. There are at least two opposed flanges on the underside surface having extended portions extending towards the edge of the lid, as well as at least two horizontal channels on the inner surface of the body, each channel including an opening at one end facing the flanges and configured to receive one of the flanges and including a section having an extension towards the inside of the body, said section configured to rest upon the flange extended portion and lock the lid with the body, when the flange is positioned below the extension, whereby the lid is in place atop the cooler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TCP RELIABLE, INC.
    Inventor: David L. Joffe
  • Patent number: 9919827
    Abstract: A thermoplastic bottle has a crimped valve cup and a method of manufacturing a thermoplastic bottle includes crimping a valve cup to such a bottle. The thermoplastic bottle and valve cup may be used in a system to dispense aerosol products. At least one protrusion extends from a flange of the bottle to which the valve cup is crimped. Prior to being crimped to the bottle, the valve cup is set to the bottle with an interference fit between a crimping portion of the valve cup and the protrusion. The interference fit prevents shifting of the valve cup from its set position on the bottle prior before the valve cup is crimped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Renner, Joseph G. Stichart
  • Patent number: 9919839
    Abstract: A collapsible bottle with a channelway provided in a side wall which, in collapsed conditions of the bottle, the channelway becomes engaged with opposed portions of the side wall and define a flow passageway therethrough toward a discharge opening at one end of the bottle and a closed other end of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: OP-Hygiene IP GmbH
    Inventor: Ali Mirbach
  • Patent number: 9913552
    Abstract: A cleanable lid assembly is provided for a beverage container. The lid assembly has a lid housing having a drink aperture positioned at least partially radially exterior of the connection member. The lid assembly also has a seal assembly. The seal assembly has a hinge member connected to the lid housing, a seal arm connected to the hinge member, and a drink seal connected to the seal arm. The seal assembly is connected to the lid housing while movable between a first or operable position and a second or cleaning position. The seal arm traverses both generally radially and generally axially to extend the drink seal to the drink aperture as the seal assembly transitions to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: IGNITE USA, LLC
    Inventors: Sami Elsaden, Robert Coon, Joseph Chiou, David Joseph
  • Patent number: 9914560
    Abstract: A handle for attachment to a bail member of a bucket is disclosed. The handle includes a base formed from two interlocking members, a first member frictionally engages a second member, locking the two members together without tools. Upon the interlocking of the first member and second member, a base structure is formed providing a receptacle constructed in a range for receipt of the bail member along an upper section. A centrally disposed cavity may be included in the upper section for receipt of a tubular sleeve commonly found on buckets and employing bail members for carrying heavy weights. The base structure is positioned beneath the bail member wherein a portion of the bail member is insertable into the receptacle. A cover member is secured to the top section of the base structure to conceal the receptacle and secure the bail member within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Robert D. Cartlidge
  • Patent number: 9907318
    Abstract: Cooling assemblies having a sealable cooling chamber formed as the interior volume of a curved or spherical outer container and a sealable inner canister are disclosed. The outer container may be provided as a multi-layer container having an external elastomeric shell. The external elastomeric shell may have an inner framework including a plurality of longitudinal ribs and a reinforcing wall. A movable flap adjustable between a projecting condition in which the flap extends from the exterior surface of the outer container and a closed position in which the flap doesn't project may be provided for supporting the cooling assembly in a stationary condition and the flap may be used as a handle for opening a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Revolution, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Esarey, Lee Rawls
  • Patent number: 9908405
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a filler neck that is provided in a filler neck body formed in a tubular shape and has a pipe connection structure. A first member is formed separately from the filler neck. A second member is formed separately from the filler neck to be different from the first member. The first member and the second member are engaged with each other. At least one of the first member and the second member includes a protective portion that is configured to cover at least part of the pipe connection structure in a state that the first member and the second member are engaged with each other and positions of the first member and the second member are fixed relative to the filler neck. This configuration suppresses damage of the pipe connection structure that is connected with the filler neck in the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kito, Yoshinari Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 9909535
    Abstract: A fuel holding device is secured to a vehicle by means of straps and brackets, which sits on a system of gaskets to prevent longitudinal sliding and rotation. A gasket system for preventing longitudinal sliding is disposed circumferentially around the tank body, and between the tank body and a circumferential bracket system that includes a U-shaped strap and an L-shaped bracket. The gasket system comprises a wedge-shaped base and a slider portion, with the U-shaped strap secured around the slider portion. A system for preventing rotation of a fuel-holding device has a circumferential wedge gasket segment, or a corrugated segment, positioned at a gap between the U-shaped strap and the L-shaped bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: QUANTUM FUEL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Neel Sirosh, Derrin Lynn Olischefski
  • Patent number: 9908670
    Abstract: A container adapted for storing a product is provided. The container includes a body having a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall and the side wall define an internal storage compartment adapted for storage of a plurality of units of a product. The side wall has an outer peripheral surface. A rib structure is engaged with the body about the outer peripheral surface of the side wall and extends outwardly therefrom. A cover is configured to be removably engaged with the body. The cover includes a top wall and a peripheral flange having an inner surface. The inner surface is substantially smooth and is configured to interact with the rib structure when the cover is received over the outer peripheral surface of the side wall so as to form an interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: American Snuff Company, LLC
    Inventors: Pankaj Patel, Timothy Frederick Thomas, William Michael Jones
  • Patent number: 9908687
    Abstract: A lid assembly for a beverage container having a lid housing, a seal assembly and a trigger member. The seal assembly has a drink seal to close the drink aperture. The seal assembly is rotatedly connected to the lid housing and movable between a use position and a cleaning position to allow the drink aperture to be open for cleaning. The trigger member is connected to the lid housing and is capable of engaging the seal assembly in the use position, but it cannot engage the seal assembly in the cleaning position. Additionally, a trigger lock is connected to the lid housing to prevent engagement of the seal assembly by the trigger member when the trigger lock is locked. The trigger lock may also contain a visual indicator to indicate that the lock is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: IGNITE USA, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Chiou, Marjavis J. Matthis, Blair Miller
  • Patent number: 9902523
    Abstract: A tray includes a base and a plurality of walls extending upward from the base. In one feature, a first wall of the plurality of walls may include a projection outward from the first wall. The projection is aligned with an upper edge of the first wall, such that the projection is outward of a portion of the upper edge of the first wall. The projection of an identical upper tray stacked on the tray would interlock with the upper edge of the first wall to resist outward deflection of the upper edge of the first wall of the tray. In another feature, a platform may extend inward from at least one of the walls to support smaller trays stacked thereon. In another feature, an exterior of each of the side walls may include an interlocking recess for receiving automated handling equipment for supporting the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Kyle L. Baltz, John Paul Kapla, Jon P. Hassell
  • Patent number: 9901201
    Abstract: A water bottle is provided, including a first cover, a second cover having a convex tube, a push button structure, a bottle body, and a straw structure. The push button structure includes a body, a first buckle member, a second buckle member, and an elastic member. The first buckle member is for buckling the first cover. The second buckle member is for buckling the second cover. The elastic member is for bearing against the second cover. The bottle body is used to be connected with the second cover. The straw structure is located inside the bottle body and the convex tube, and includes an elongate tube and an elastic tube. The elastic forces of the push button structure and the straw structure facilitate the water bottle to be used easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Li-Shu Shen
  • Patent number: 9896234
    Abstract: A corrugated paperboard wraparound blank for forming a shipping case is provided, including five wall panels and four sets of end flaps connected via fold lines, at least two sets of stacking tabs, and at least two corresponding sets of receiving slots for receiving the stacking tabs. The wraparound blank is formed of a heavier material than a conventional blank, which would typically be difficult for automatic packaging equipment to form into a case, but the fold lines are creased with optional perforations or scoring. An optional modification aiding folding is presented for conventional case packers. The heavier fiberboard better supports and protects an inner product, such as cartons or paper bottles of liquids and reduces damage to the cap and neck. The heavier material in combination with the stacking tabs allows an increase in stacking height, thereby reducing transportation costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: GREENONE LOGISTICS, LLC
    Inventor: Juan Carlos Martinez
  • Patent number: 9878833
    Abstract: A closure system for sealing a container constructed and arranged to be mated with a container body is disclosed. The closure system comprises a fixed element and a movable closure element. With the container closure system containers may be constructed to be resealable and improve sanitary conditions of the dispensing portion, thereby allowing for easier opening and resealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: B.E. Inventive, LLC
    Inventor: Evan Ira Phillips