Patents Examined by Jeffrey Allen
  • Patent number: 9359124
    Abstract: A reclosable container for consumer items includes a box, a lid hingedly connected to the box, an inner liner wrapped around the consumer items, the inner liner including a section defining an opening for allowing access to the consumer items, means to open and reclose the opening, and an inner frame attached to the box. The inner frame includes a free inner frame portion protruding from the box towards the opening in the inner liner. The free inner frame portion includes a cut out and the inner frame is attached to the inner liner proximate to the cut out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Bodo-Werner Lutzig
  • Patent number: 9352877
    Abstract: A food storage container has a base with a bottom, a continuous side wall extending up from the bottom and terminating at an upper end, a storage space within the side wall above the bottom, and an open top. A lid of the container is configured to attach to and close off the open top. A tray of the container has a perforate panel and a tray foot. The tray can fit within the storage space with the tray foot resting on the bottom of the base and the perforate panel elevated above the bottom of the base. A connecting structure is carried in part on the lid, in part on the base, and in part on the tray and is configured so that the lid and the tray can be connected to one another and to the bottom under the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Brian Douglas Furlong
  • Patent number: 9345306
    Abstract: An airtight compact that contains a volatile product until a time of use. The airtight compact includes a translucent and fragile pot partially encased by a base assembly, which has a rotatable lid assembly pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The rotatable lid assembly comprising a liner over-molded to an inner lid that directly seals to a rim of the fragile pot partially encased by the base. The fragile pot may be formed of a translucent glass, which is protected by the base and the rotatable lid assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: HCT ASIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Thorpe, Adrian C. Apodaca
  • Patent number: 9346599
    Abstract: Food packaging has a base tray and a second tray which nests in the base tray. The base tray has one or more walls terminating in a land. The land has an indent in its upper surface at least partially surrounded by an indent wall which extends continuously along an inward side of the indent so as to separate the indent from a main cavity formed by the base tray walls. The second tray nested has a flange supported by the land. The flange extends partially over the indent. The indent is sized to admit a finger within the indent below the flange. In consequence, after cooking of the foods in the trays, the consumer can use the indent in gripping the flange of the second tray without direct exposure to steam from the food cooked in the base tray. The consumer can then add a selected amount of food from the second tray to the base tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Erik Strilich, Bethanie L. Gasperson, Paul Andrew Cogley, Alison Wilker
  • Patent number: 9339979
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, profiling a tube to form at least one profiled product having a first open end and a second open end. The tube (30) is supported on a support (19) which supports the tube along at least a substantial part of the length of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. At least a portion of the tube is heated to form at least one heat-softened portion of the tube in the region(s) corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. A fluid pressure change (28) is applied to the region(s) of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed to form at least one profiled product having a first open end, a second open end, and a predetermined shape with one or more three dimensional profile features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Patent number: 9340332
    Abstract: A closure is provided for use in covering an opening in a container and engaging a peripheral rim defining the opening. The closure includes a body for covering the container opening and a plurality of projecting portions that extend from a periphery of the body. The projecting portions are spaced from one another around the periphery of the body, with each formed to surround a portion of the container rim. A ring is connected to the projecting portions and surrounds the container rim. A plurality of retaining fingers are provided, with each fingers spaced from one another and interleaved within the spacing between adjacent projecting portions. The fingers project inwardly from the ring and include a projected end for engagement with the container rim. The projected ends of the fingers include a varied or undulating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Antal, Sr., Chad E. Lagace, Terry Smith
  • Patent number: 9340330
    Abstract: The invention is directed to storage containers and lids for storage containers which provide for a secure closure and a storage container which is airtight and leakproof. The lid includes a generally U-shaped closure made of a plastic material for securing to a container base; a center window also made of a plastic material and preferably the same as the U-shaped closure; and a thermoplastic material which provides for a sealing gasket on the underside of the U-shaped closure for mating with the container base and a perimeter seal on the outside of the U-shaped closure and around the outer circumference of the center window. The lid may further include a gripping tab made at least in part of thermoplastic material in the lid corner for opening or closing the container, and wings made of a thermoplastic material in one or more portions or corners of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. LeBoeuf, Robert T. Schofield, Sean T. Petersen, James C. Boda
  • Patent number: 9334107
    Abstract: A container is provided with a frame including one or more support structures each having a stacking post with a thin cross-sectional shape. Multiple support structures having such stacking posts can be provided along the length of the container to enable the container to be used in a stacked configuration. The container can provide an expanded interior loadable width for increased loading flexibility and capacity, and can have recessed upper and lower handling fitting joints in order to provide stronger and space-saving connections between a header and an upper handling fitting, between the upper handling fitting and a stacking post, between the stacking post and a lower handling fitting, and/or between the lower handling fitting and a floor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: STI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Fenton
  • Patent number: 9332882
    Abstract: Shape memory insulators comprising a first layer of core material, such as polymeric insulative material, and a second, shape memory layer of elastomeric material, for attachment to objects. The shape memory layer may comprise silicone rubber, silicone gum, silicon crepe, and/or silicone gel, for example. The shape memory insulator may be part of a handle for an object, such as a pot or pan, for example, or other objects and devices requiring continuous and/or repetitive manual operation. The shape memory polymeric material may conform to the shape of the user's hand when the handle is gripped by a user's hand. When the grip is released, the shape memory material returns to its original shape. The shape memory insulators provide insulation as well as improving comfort and/or control over the engagement and use of objects, while decreasing arm and hand wear and/or strain of those using the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Hudson Home Group LLC
    Inventor: Rick Lapine
  • Patent number: 9335032
    Abstract: A recessed fixture cover device comprising a plurality of components that may be economically and efficiently packed in an unassembled state for transport and/or shipping and then easily assembled to provide a thermal barrier, a fire barrier, an air barrier, a moisture barrier, and/or an insect intrusion barrier between the recessed fixture and the space immediately above and external to the installed cover device. An embodiment of a cover device may comprise two components that may be assembled to form a right-angled parallelepiped shape that lacks a bottom wall thereby allowing the cover device to be lowered onto and enclose a recessed fixture. One or more complimentary connections between abutting edges of the two components allow the two components to be either quickly assembled for use or disassembled for transport or storage thereby providing a benefit to both construction professionals and do-it-yourself property owners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Thermastop, LLC
    Inventors: Casey Holder, Daniel W. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 9335003
    Abstract: A cargo tank for an extremely low temperature substance carrier according to the present invention arranges a first cargo tank wall having a primary corrugated panel to prevent cracks caused by contraction and easily absorb impact caused by liquefied gas sloshing to prevent defects occurring in the cargo tank, forms auxiliary corrugation on each of the first, second and third cargo tank walls to prevent defects caused by contraction and more easily absorb impact caused by liquefied gas sloshing, and selectively applies the first to third cargo tank walls having different structures to respective parts of the cargo tank where different sloshing phenomena occur to improve reliability of the cargo tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Beom Shin, Hyun Soo Kim, Hyung Kook Jin, Dong Ju Lee, Ha Geun Kim, In Wan Park, Byeong Jae Noh, Joong Geun Youn, Dae Soon Kim
  • Patent number: 9334061
    Abstract: A tank system may include a tank having a tank volume and mounted in a vehicle having a system CG and a system CG offset limit. The tank system may further include at least one outer baffle having an outer baffle port and dividing the tank volume into an inner compartment and at least one outer compartment. The outer baffle may be positioned such that when the outer baffle port is open and the combined volume of liquid in the inner and outer compartment is less than a total inner compartment volume, the system CG may exceed the system CG offset limit during a shift of a liquid CG, and when the outer baffle port is closed and the outer compartment is substantially empty of liquid, the system CG remains within the system CG offset limit during a shift of the liquid CG for at least one fill level of the inner compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeremie J. Albert, Jeffrey M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9327895
    Abstract: A multi-walled container comprising a receptacle and outer sleeve having an embossment formed therein is provided. An insulating layer may be defined or provided between the receptacle and outer sleeve. The outer sleeve has an embossment provided at least partially therearound for engaging the upper lip of a second container when multiple containers are nested or stacked one within another. The embossment may be a continuous circumferential rib formed around substantially the entire perimeter of the sleeve or may be a plurality of ribs formed intermittently around the perimeter of the sleeve. In order for the embossment to contact or engage the upper lip of another container, the embossment preferably has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of an opening defined by the receptacle upper lip. The outer sleeve can be fixedly attached to the insulating layer or receptacle at locations both above and below the embossment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: HUHTAMAKI, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Robertson, James Edwin Winship
  • Patent number: 9326625
    Abstract: The present fliptop plates apparatus relates generally to a mateable plate apparatus and more particularly to an improved plate apparatus comprising a working surface of a first plate which complimentarily and lockingly can be mated with a working surface of a companion plate to form a receptacle, wherein preferably both plates have identical working surfaces, the plates may provide tactile feedback to users of the mateable plate apparatus, and the plates may be easily and optimally both stacked and unstacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Shahein Esfahani
  • Patent number: 9326916
    Abstract: A non-spill valve for the neck of a liquid container. The invention also relates to a non-spill valve for the nipple of a feeding bottle, to a teat which is provided with such a nipple and to a feeding bottle which has such a teat. The valve has a tube which is open at one end and upstands from a support, which is complementary with interior element so that it forms a partition and permits the passage of liquid from an aperture in the support only into the tube interior, wherein the other end of the tube is closed except for an incision which separates the closed end from an adjoining side wall portion. The incision defines a flap that can permit liquid to reach from the tube interior to the mouth of the neck or spout or nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: BB IPR Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Paul Tollman
  • Patent number: 9327874
    Abstract: A liquid containment device for use with refrigerators to prevent overflow and damage to flooring. The containment device allows for appliance elevation within and integral support and water collection pan. The detachable loading ramps provide for smoothly rolling the appliance up onto the integrated independent elevated level support surfaces within the water retainment pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Charles Burridge Hawley, III
  • Patent number: 9320374
    Abstract: A device for retaining solid portions of a food product that contains solid and liquid components. The device comprises an opening, angled side walls, and an angled bottom surface that acts as a bottom surface. The device fits into a liquid container, such as a soup cup. The angled sidewalk cause a wedging effect that keeps the invention from dropping down to the bottom of the liquid container. The bottom surface contains a perforated region that allows the liquid element of the food product to flow through to the bottom of the liquid container, but retaining the solid portions. By retaining the solid portions of the food product proximate the mouth of the liquid container, the user is able to consume the solid portions of the food product without a utensil. In addition, the design of the invention forces the solid elements into the user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventor: Jeff Phipps
  • Patent number: 9314120
    Abstract: A lid assembly for a cup is releasably attachable to a container. The lid assembly includes a closure member and a cover secured to the closure member. The cover is capable of rotating in a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwise direction relative to the closure member while the cover is secured to the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Handi-Craft Company
    Inventors: Bernard J. Kemper, Charles H. Miller
  • Patent number: 9315308
    Abstract: A receptacle top with a brush and a lid, from which the lid may be removed in order to be utilized as a dust pan and then returned to the top to be utilized as an aesthetic lid. The brush may be stored on the exterior of the cover or it may be stored within the body of the lid, thereby allowing the tools required for cleaning to be in one convenient location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: United Comb + Novelty Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Audet, Rebecca B. Foster, Theresa Scalzi
  • Patent number: 9301520
    Abstract: A system for using freezing, storing and thawing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a holder and a container for holding biopharmaceutical materials therein. The holder has a cavity and the container is received in the cavity. The holder includes a first portion and second portion. The container is received between the first portion and the second portion to connect the container to the holder. The holder includes an interior cradle having a bottom and edges extending from the bottom. The cradle bounds the cavity. An outer rim is connected to the cradle and separated from the cavity. The bottom includes an inner surface facing the cavity receiving the container and an outer surface. The outer surface of the bottom is recessed relative to an outer surface of the outer rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SARTORIUS STEDIM NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Cutting, Isabelle Gay, Eric K. Lee, Nicolas Voute