Patents Examined by Jim Foster
  • Patent number: 6561357
    Abstract: A single piece protective device that can be stacked or nested in an unfolded position and then folded into the desired shape when ready for use is provided. The device is made from a substantially rectangular sheet of laminated paperboard. The sheet comprises an outer wall and an inner wall connected by a hinged area running longitudinally from top to the bottom. The hinged area comprises a plurality of longitudinal creases or scores. The sheet is made of multiple plies of material laminated together. The plies can be made from different types of materials, and may be oriented in different directions to achieve desired structural properties. The unfolded sheets are nestable for efficient storage and shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Renck
  • Patent number: 6557698
    Abstract: A packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as a CD-ROM, together with a beverage container having a cover with a central straw opening. The packaging device includes a cylindrical lid adapted to receive and retain a disc-shaped media in a water-tight compartment, which lid loaded with the disc-shaped media is then sealingly engaged to a beverage container. The lid includes a cylindrical inner structure extending from the inner surface defining central support for the media such that the media is allowed to rotate, while limiting its linear movement. The cylindrical inner structure includes an opening so as to allow the passage therethrough of a straw. A sealing member is sealed to the lid after the disc is inserted so as to seal the disc within a dry, water-tight chamber. The cylindrical lid is attached to the beverage container by means of a compression fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Avecmedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandra Gordon, Charles W. Grimes, William L. Plumb
  • Patent number: 6557705
    Abstract: A radiation cassette comprises a casing which accommodates an accumulative fluorescent material sheet, a lid which is installed to a part of the casing so that the lid is openable and closable, a shield plate which is arranged for the casing and which is swingably provided with the lid at a first end, a support means which swingably supports the shield plate with respect to the casing, and a lock means which fixes the shield plate to the casing and which moves back and forth in accordance with an external force so that the shield plate may be released from fixation. Accordingly, it is possible to attach and detach the shield plate arranged for the casing by means of a simple operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Nakajo, Seiji Ichiju, Kimio Oosumi
  • Patent number: 6554131
    Abstract: A thermoformed display device is provided for tool belts and accessories. The display device includes a main header which extends beyond the top of the product being packaged and folds over onto itself and snaps together to trap a printed insert display card within a display chamber. The header portion includes performed hang holes for use with various merchandising systems including pegboard. The second thermoformed header piece consists of a flat sheet that slips through the belt loop portion of the product being packaged and is fastened to the main header by means of plastic push-type fasteners to securely fasten the two pieces together and to allow the header area to stand above the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Findle, David F. Vock, Matthew J. Holland, Rajiv N. Dharap
  • Patent number: 6554132
    Abstract: A container for disks having a central opening includes a case having hingedly connected lid, spine, and base portions, a pedestal projecting forwardly from a panel portion of the base for holding one of the disks, and a hinge structure projecting forwardly from the base for pivotally supporting one or more trays holding additional disks. The hinge structure includes a spaced pair of posts, each post having a spaced pair of leaf members and a reinforcing bridge connecting inwardly facing tips of the leaf members, for snap engagement with pairs of inwardly facing stub journals that are formed on the trays. The case has a closed position with the lid and base portions snaped together, each having a compact recessed overhanging lip formation opposite the spine portion for facilitating opening of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Finest Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwok Din Lau
  • Patent number: 6547063
    Abstract: An article for the delivery of personal care foams including a package comprising a container having flexible, deformable walls, an opening portion, a first sponge and a foaming composition. The package also includes at least one temperature changing element. The temperature changing element may include an anhydrous reaction, heats of solution, oxidation reactions, crystallization, electro-chemical heaters, zeolite-liquid systems and heats of neutralization. Further, the container may also include a second sponge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Piyush Narendra Zaveri, Gary Curtis Joseph, Jennifer Sue Dwyer, James Anthony Wilson, Alic Anthony Scott, Dennis Eugene Kuhlman, Raymond Edward Bolich, Charlene Marie Stevenot
  • Patent number: 6543612
    Abstract: A container for a composition made of multiple components includes an outer housing having a chamber and an inner housing having a compartment. The inner housing includes a frangible wall portion that, when ruptured, enables the components to contact each other for mixing. Advantageously, the inner housing can be manufactured separately from the outer housing, and the housings can be assembled during a subsequent operation. In certain embodiments, the inner housing is slidable relative to the outer housing from a first position to a second position, and during the sliding movement a puncturing tool located within the container breaks the frangible wall portion and causes the components to contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert Lee, Robert W. Petrich
  • Patent number: 6543209
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical product package employs a clear plastic member that includes at least one cavity within which one or more pharmaceutical products may be located. The cavity is preferably centrally located within the boundaries of the overall package in a lower portion thereof. The clear plastic member preferably includes one or more additional elongated structural protrusions that extend outward in the same direction as the cavity for housing the pharmaceutical products. These elongated structural protrusions are formed lengthwise parallel to and near the edges of the package. The pharmaceutical package of the present invention also desirably includes a central void or opening in the clear plastic material which is preferably located above the cavity for the solid pharmaceutical. The void provides location for receiving a hook or other protruding member for hanging the product package on the hook or other protruding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Medical Technology Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Siegel, Stuart Bagley, Michael Stevenson
  • Patent number: 6543614
    Abstract: A lens housing container for housing a plurality of lenses, comprising a long carrier tape having a supporting portion for supporting one ring-shaped surface of the flange portion of the lens, and a plurality of lens housing portions; and a long cover tape to be stuck on the carrier tape so as to cover the lens housed in the lens housing portion, wherein the supporting portion supports the one ring-shaped surface of the flange portion of the lens, so as not to come into contact with the one lens surface of the lens, the lens housing portion houses the lens so that a part of the other lens surface of the lens is projected from or is flush with the upper surface of the carrier tape, the cover tape restrains the lens housed in the lens housing portion from moving in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Tamotsu Nii
  • Patent number: 6540084
    Abstract: A compact portable pack for holding diapers, wet baby wipes, and reclosable disposable bags. The pack comprises a container base of plastic material comprising a rectangular sidewall and a partition wall. The rectangular sidewall extends between two opposing ends and includes pairs of parallel sides. The partition wall intersects all sides separating the container base into a wipe compartment at one end and a diaper compartment at the other end. The wipe compartment holds wet baby wipes while the diaper compartment holds diapers. Lids of plastic material are integrally hinged to the rectangular on different sides and at opposite ends of the container base. Each lid is movable between open and closed positions. In the closed position the lids engage the container base to close the diaper compartment and wipe compartment. A resilient clip is supported by the lid covering the diaper compartment and retains reclosable disposable bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Brian Silvers
  • Patent number: 6540083
    Abstract: A cosmetic container includes a lower cap, an inner container and an upper cap. The lower cap and the upper cap are firmly combined together with a front post and a rear post of the lower cap respectively mating with the upper cap. A space is formed between the upper and the lower caps for the inner container to be positioned therein when not in use. The inner container is pushed and swung out of the space for using cosmetics stored in chambers formed in an upper portion of the inner container and a mirror is fixed in a lower portion of the inner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hawthorn Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Shih
  • Patent number: 6540078
    Abstract: A multipart tray (1) comprises tray elements (2, 3, 4) which can be folded to form a container and in which, when open, the support points for each such tray element are coplanar with the support points of each other tray element. The multipart tray (1) can comprise three tray elements (2, 3, 4) in a linear arrangement. The container can provide a plurality of enclosures arranged to be opened in sequence. The container is intended for use as a sterile field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew Homent, John Farboud
  • Patent number: 6536592
    Abstract: The SMIF pod includes a base having a cassette that may receive one or more wafers in preparation for transferring the wafers. The base includes a plurality of first openings formed on the side surfaces for a latch mechanism. The base includes a window formed on a surface of the base for an operator to read the state of the container. A box having second openings one to one corresponding to said first openings for the latch mechanism with latch member to penetrate through them while in the lock state. An indicator presents a first mark for indicating the locked state at the window or presents a second mark at the window for indicating the unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Yen Chang, Kuo-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 6536192
    Abstract: A plastic canister for storing and shipping drill bits, especially roller cone drill bit, has a pin-holder built into the lid of the canister for ease of field dressing the bit. The lid and body of the container are slip fit to one another and indexed to each other for positive positioning in their relationship. Safety features include the use of a conductive plastic polymer, a non-rolling base, mating protrusions and recesses for stacking, recessed areas for strapping, and welded loop handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Relocation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. King, William C. Saxman, Jeffery Peck, James S. Dahlem, Karl D. Knecht, Lee M. Smith, Margaret L. Parks, Mike Jeziorski, Patsy A. Jenner
  • Patent number: 6536591
    Abstract: A carrier (10) for carrying a roll of metal plate includes a frame (20), a support plate (40), a shield (60), and a flexible cushion (80). The frame includes a base (22) and a beam (24). The support plate is attached to the base and has an arcuate outer surface, for providing maximum contact area between the carrier and a center hole of the roll. The shield is attached to the beam, for preventing a side of the roll from being damaged by the beam. The cushion is attached to the support plate, for preventing surface damage to the roll. A plurality of ribs (44) is welded to the base, for reinforcing the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun Jung Huang, Shao Hua Liu
  • Patent number: 6533118
    Abstract: A holding device for single or multiple cards utilizing a backing member having a first surface and an opposite second surface. A guard extends across and spaces from the first surface to form a slot. The guard includes a surface facing the first surface of the backing member. A ledge is spaced from the guard and extends from the backing member. The ledge also includes a surface which projects from the first surface a distance greater than the surface of the guard. A card is supported within the slot and contacts the surface of the guard, and the surface of the ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Michael T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6533116
    Abstract: A medical container for holding a medical instrument. The container includes a cover, a base, and a flexible hinge. Portions of the base and cover form a holding portion and a locking portion. The holding portion includes two different holding cavities to hold different shaped medical instruments. The container arrangement allows the medical instrument to be removed during an operation or procedure, and returned to the container after it has been used. This protects the medical instrument from the environment while it is staged during the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kimberly M. Riley
  • Patent number: 6533114
    Abstract: An elongated packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD, together with other materials relating to such disc or otherwise in a stacked relationship. The packaging device includes an opening at one end thereof, and it has at least one internal upper chamber and at least one internal lower chamber for respectively receiving the disc-shaped item and the other materials. These chambers are divided by a support element that is adapted to positively retain the disc-shaped item within the upper chamber. A lid is further provided for closing the opening at the end of the packaging device. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Avecmedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandra Gordon, Charles W. Grimes
  • Patent number: 6533111
    Abstract: This is a protective pouch for key ring remote devices. The protective pouch will house and prevent a remote from detaching from a key ring or re-attach a remote that has already detached. This is due to the fact that the key ring will be swinging on the grommet and not on the loop on top of a plastic key ring remote housing. At the same time all function buttons will be visible through a clear vinyl window and the remote will work right through this universal pouch. It will provide protection for the function buttons, and against chipping. It will also provide some protection against moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jackie Harden
  • Patent number: 6530479
    Abstract: A housing for suturing tools including a cylindrical housing having an upper end, a lower end, a cylindrical side wall therebetween, and a hollow interior. The cylindrical housing has a central dividing wall disposed within the hollow interior extending between the upper and lower ends. The central dividing wall equally divides the cylindrical housing into a first section and a second section. The cylindrical side wall of the first section has an opening therethrough positioned intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. The cylindrical side wall of the second section has at least one opening therethrough adjacent to the lower end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Alejandro Hernandez