Patents Examined by Jim Foster
  • Patent number: 6467623
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing strings of lights and accessories includes a container with a side wall having an upwardly and inwardly extending outer surface, between upper and lower radial flanges, on which the strings of light are wrapped, and subsequently unwrapped, as the container rotates about a vertical pivot mounted on a base. The container has an internal cavity accessible through a central lid covered opening in which accessories, such as ornaments and the like, are supported on circumferentially spaced, radially inwardly directed hangers alternately secured at staggered heights to the container side wall. Below the hangers are compartments for other accessories, especially fragile ornaments, which extend around a vertical post supporting a large tree topping ornament. A hood can extend down over the side wall to protect the strings of lights. A handle or hook for lifting and hanging the apparatus can project through an opening in the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventors: John Gordon Lewis, Marlana Cornelia Lewis
  • Patent number: 6467615
    Abstract: Packaging for dismantled switch cabinet components, whereby the individual components or component sub-assemblies are respectively packed using partial packaging having one or several packaging components. In order to minimize packaging expenditure, the packaging components can also be used as an outer lining for the switch cabinet when assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Rittal Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Müller
  • Patent number: 6467618
    Abstract: The surgical tip attachment holder tray has a base, a pivot block pivotally connected to the base, and a plurality of threaded bases attached to the pivot block. The base has a perimeter having a first section and a second section, said perimeter having at least one wall attached to the base along the first section of the perimeter and defining an open end adjacent the second section of the perimeter. The pivot block is pivotally connected to one of the base section and at least one wall at the open end of said base in a manner so that the pivot block is spaced apart from the base a sufficient distance to allow liquid to pass between the pivot block and the base tray, and allowing said pivot block to rotate from a first position to a second position. The plurality of threaded bases attached to the pivot block on said threaded base receiving surface are adapted to receive a plurality of surgical tip attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: High Quality Surgical Repair
    Inventors: Alvin High, Leigh Marciniak
  • Patent number: 6464078
    Abstract: A container for small articles, such as paper clips, toothpicks, pencils, pens and the like, is provided which has a multipurpose outer chamber. The outer chamber is transparent and holds indicia which may take one of two forms. In a first embodiment, the outer chamber can be filled with a transparent liquid, such as water or oil, containing indicia in the form of particles, such as glitter. Upon shaking the container, the particles temporarily become suspended in the liquid providing an interesting visual effect. In a second embodiment, the indicia may be an advertising message which includes words and/or logos printed on a sheet that surrounds a receptacle for containing the small articles that is located within the outer chamber. In a third embodiment, both the sheet bearing indicia and the glitter in a liquid can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Reid A. Grossnickle
  • Patent number: 6464072
    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 comprises a first member having a first chamber and a first opening providing access thereto, said first chamber including means to receive and retain a disc-shaped media, and a second member for the storage of materials other than the disc-shaped media, said second member including a second chamber and a second opening providing access thereto. A protective element may be inserted either beneath or above (or both) the disc-shaped media so as to protect the media surface or retain the disc-shaped media within the first chamber. The first member may be removably attached to the second member about the second opening so as to close said second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventors: Alexandra Gordon, Charles W. Grimes
  • Patent number: 6464071
    Abstract: In a packaging (1) for surgical suture material (6), a thread duct which runs spiral-like is formed in a base (2) and opens at its first end to form a thread removal zone in the periphery area of the base (2). The base (2) is provided with a cover (4). An edge segment (3) of the base (2) can be folded down about a fold line provided in the region of the underside of the base (2) for access to the thread removal zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 6460700
    Abstract: In order to reliably configure the positioning of the clip in the cartridge in any phase, even during removal, in the case of a cartridge for receiving U-shaped clips having a web and two arms projecting therefrom, with a support abutting the underside of the web and with clamping members, which abut the web laterally at least on one side and are elastically removable from this web transversely to the plane of the clip, it is proposed that additional clamping members are provided, which abut the arms laterally at least on one side and are elastically removable from these arms transversely to the plane of the clip, and which are pressed elastically against the arms independently of the clamping members abutting the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Aesculap AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Patent number: 6454094
    Abstract: A rotatable label system includes a label and a package with a viewing window that is secured to the container but which allows access to the container and also allows the container to freely rotate relative to the package. The package is configured with a different form factor than the container itself to provide an interstice adjacent the viewing window. The interstice allows consumers to view contiguous portions of the label on the container that are not aligned with the viewing window. As such, consumers are able to easily recognize that the label system is rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Lawrence Aldo Salani
  • Patent number: 6454087
    Abstract: An elongated packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as a compact disc or a DVD, together with other materials, in a stacked relationship. The packaging device includes a first member for the storage of the disc-shaped media in a first chamber and a second member or container for the storage of a beverage in a second chamber sealed by a cover having an opening at the center thereof for the insertion of a straw. The first chamber includes a cylindrical inner structure defining central support for the disc media and includes an aperture that aligns with the opening of the cover when the wafer is in place on the cover. The disc-shaped media is sealed within the annular inner chamber of the wafer by means of a circular protective element. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventors: Alexandra Gordon, Charles W. Grimes
  • Patent number: 6450330
    Abstract: A carrier for tubular members, such as subs, which includes a basket, having a floor portion and a plurality of side walls, and an open top portion; a plurality of holes formed in the floor of the basket, of equal diameters; a plurality of pins insertable in the plurality of holes, the pins extending upward into the basket opening substantially to the height of the basket walls; each of the pins having a base portion of equal diameters to slidably engage into any bore on the floor portion, and an upper elongated body portion of differing diameters to slide within a bore of a tubular sub, so that the sub may be supported in a vertical position on the pins, and not make contact with other subs supported vertically on the other pins in the basket while the subs are being stored or transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: A. J. Cannata
  • Patent number: 6446793
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a cigarette lighter and cigarettes from damage and wetting. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a body fitted with an insert that accommodates a disposable lighter and a number of cigarettes. A lid is provided that snaps onto the body to provide a waterproof seal between the body and the lid. In some embodiments, the body and the lid are injection molded of plastic as one piece and are connected by means of an integral hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: John M. Layshock
  • Patent number: 6446804
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roll package for a roll having a longitudinal roll axis, a pair of spaced roll ends and an outer roll surface extending between the roll ends and radially spaced from said longitudinal roll axis. The roll package comprises a first layer positioned over said outer roll surface and wrapped on the roll in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal roll axis. The first layer is a cushioned protective layer. A separate second layer is positioned over said first layer and extends throughout the length of said roll. The invention also relates to a method of making a roll package for a roll having a longitudinal roll axis. In one embodiment, a roll package comprises two or more said rolls having a common longitudinal axis and situated against each other, a pair of opposing ends. Each roll has at least said first layer and said second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Pasmel Oy
    Inventor: Juha I. Lehtineva
  • Patent number: 6446802
    Abstract: A container has an internal cavity for receiving knife blades lying side by side in a stack, the internal cavity being capable of being reduced in size by a slide member which is preferably displaceable in only one direction. In this way the blades are located in position however full the container is, and damage to the cutting edges by movement or slipping in the package is avoided. Furthermore a method is proposed by which first the blade which lies against the slide is extracted from the stack and then the slide member is urged against the stack of blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Lutz Industria S.A.
    Inventors: Alexander Lutz, Frieder Lutz
  • Patent number: 6439384
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enclosing and protecting a metal coil in VPCI impregnated materials such that the metal coil can be transported in an eye horizontal orientation. The apparatus includes a metal coil that has an eye at its center and a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor (VPCI) impregnated material, which completely encloses an outer surface of the metal coil. A core extends along the length of the eye and has a first end and a second end. A first wing, having a collar that inserts into the first end of the core and wing members, is aligned next to the VPCI impregnated material. A second wing, having a collar that inserts into the second end of the core and wing members, is aligned next to the VPCI material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Liberty Distributers, Inc.
    Inventor: Janice M. Martin
  • Patent number: 6439380
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a dental amalgam capsule includes a body, a cap, a dental amalgam alloy, and mercury. In further detail, the body has a hollow interior with an open first end which includes an opening surrounded by an end wall. The cap has a hollow interior with an open first end and an interior surface. The interior surface includes an annular recess disposed about a longitudinal axis of the cap, with the annular recess including a sealing surface angled at less than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. The sealing surface is capable of contacting at least a portion of the end wall, thereby forming a seal with the end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Kerr Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Welsh
  • Patent number: 6431353
    Abstract: A cartridge envelope for removably accommodating a disc cartridge includes an envelope structure including top and bottom envelope panels 8 and 9, left and right side walls 10 and 11 and a rear wall 12, all molded together to define a cartridge chamber that opens outwardly in a direction counter to the rear wall through an insertion opening 13. At least one cartridge retaining member 17 including a flexible finger is formed in one of the walls 8 to 12 forming the envelope structure for removably retaining the disc cartridge 1 securely inside the cartridge chamber once the disc cartridge 1 has been inserted thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hikaru Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6431349
    Abstract: An article, such as an artist's canvas (12), having at least one touch sensitive area (14) on its surface is carried in a device (10) comprising a base (16), side walls (18, 19, 20, 21), and a cross-member (22) extending across the device (10) in a position spaced from the base (16). A plurality of contact pins (24) are carried by the cross-member (22) and extend towards the base (16). The location of the contact pins (24) on the cross-member (22) can be adjusted, thereby to enable the contact pins (24) to make contact with the article (12) at positions spaced from the touch sensitive area (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: David Christian Shepherd, Kathleen Margaret Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6427836
    Abstract: An identification card sleeve for use in a wallet or the like includes a semi-rigid tray with an edge channel surrounding three sides of the periphery of the tray to define a slot within which an identification card may be inserted or removed. A finger grab or tap is located on the side of the tray without the edge channel and provides a convenient locator and handle for inserting or removing the sleeve from a wallet slot. The front of the identification card is not obscured by any covering over the card and the relatively thin construction of the sleeve does not add significantly to the bulk or thickness of a wallet within which it is carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: TRG Accessories, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas Bolanos
  • Patent number: 6427840
    Abstract: In a packaged product (1) including a non-packaged product (2), including container (3) and a foil wrapper (13) which wholly envelops the container (3) together with the non-packaged product (2) accommodated therein the foil wrapper (13) is made of a heat-shrinkable foil (14) and the foil wrapper (13) only has perforation holes (19) forming a perforation (18) in its area which lies against the a container wall (4, 5, 8), and the foil wrapper (13) has no perforation holes in its area which covers an opening (10) in the container (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Günther Flacker
  • Patent number: 6425481
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for holding a compact disk. The device relies on the central hole of a disk and provides a body portion which includes a disk support member onto which the disk can rest. At least two members each pivotably dependent from and connected to said base a flexible arm extending downwardly from said disk support member provide a disk locating means receivable in the central hole of said disk. Integrally formed with the members are disk lifting arms which extend outwardly from each said member. By way of an actuating means movement of the members from a disk locating condition to a disk released condition is achievable whereby when a disk is supported on said disk support member, and pressure is applied to said actuating means, the members move toward each other to release the disk locating means from the central hole and simultaneously the disk lifting arms displace the disk upwardly from said disk support means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Encore Holdings Limited
    Inventor: King Yeung Choi