Patents Examined by Jimmy G. Foster
  • Patent number: 5560488
    Abstract: A decorative plant assembly and a method for making such including a flower pot or other pot or plant container, a sheet of material having an opening formed through a portion of the sheet of material and a bonding means for holding the sheet of material in a position about the outer peripheral surface of the pot. When placed about the pot, at least a portion of the sheet of material engages a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot. At least a portion of the bottom of the pot means is exposed through the opening in the sheet of material. A portion of the sheet of material may extend away from the upper end of the pot means to form a skirt. The sheet of material when extended about the outer peripheral surface of the pot may further comprise a plurality of folds. The sheet of material may further comprise a tubular extension extending from the lower surface of the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignees: Southpac Trust International, Inc., The Family Trust U/T/A
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 5560491
    Abstract: A rescue alert kit (10) is provided herein. The kit includes an envelope, preferably a transparent envelope (20), which includes a reclosable opening (22). A high decibel whistle (27) is secured thereto. The envelope includes elements (23) which enables the envelope to be hung or to be secured to a wall. Within the envelope are a chemiluminescent safety light (70) and fire evacuation safety instructions (40) and optionally also a smoke alarm battery test checklist. In addition, the envelope includes an attention flag (51), the attention flag being rectangular and being made of a material having light reflective, or retroreflective, or phosphorescent, or fluorescent properties, and having a plurality of safety appliques thereon (53, 54, 55). The safety appliques are made from a material having phosphorescent, or fluorescent, or light reflective or retroreflective properties. The attention flag includes a grip, e.g., a suction cup (59) secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Rescue Alert and Lifeline Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Romaniuk, Thomas A. Stanley
  • Patent number: 5558214
    Abstract: A baby bottle carrier is constructed of a container with a plurality of interconnected compartments having a complementary cross section and shape corresponding to a bottle adapted to being received therein. A lid, detachably mounted to the container, closes each of the compartments. Cup shaped spacers are detachably secured to an underside of the lid to project into the compartments and abut against baby bottles of various sizes to insure that they are securely held in place, even when the carrier is moved from one location to another. Further in accordance with the invention, the baby bottle carrier is placed within a flexible closable bag with a shoulder strap and outwardly folding flap to close the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Jackie L. Brundidge
  • Patent number: 5558218
    Abstract: Shipping container for transporting a fragile cylindrical sleeve is constructed to facilitate mounting and demounting of the sleeve without any damage thereto. The container is designed to align the sleeve with a mandrel in a surfacing machine or a drum of a nonwoven fabric producing machine, which is useful when a cylindrical sleeve is being transferred from the shipping container onto the mandrel or drum, or vice versa. The container is useful in transporting a blank cylindrical sleeve from its production facility to a surfacing facility, aligning and mounting the blank sleeve on a mandrel in a surfacing machine, removing the machined sleeve from the surfacing machine, transporting the machined sleeve to a nonwoven fabric production facility, and mounting and aligning the machined sleeve on a nonwoven fabric producing machine. The container includes an elongated outer housing having front and rear ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. James, Stephen H. Breitkopf, Robert G. Provell, Ralph A. Moody, III
  • Patent number: 5558230
    Abstract: A container shaped to allow a dental technician to avoid touching or contaminating a dental implant and healing screw stored therein while placement of these at a dental surgical site. The container has a carrier for storing the implant and healing screw. A transparent hood seals the carrier from the ambient. The dental implant is held at an end thereof within the carrier with its longitudinal axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the healing screw in its position in a cavity in the carrier. A tool passage in the carrier provides access to the cavity for a placement tool that is attached to the healing screw in order to remove the same from the carrier. A cylindrical base on the carrier, terminated at opposite ends thereof by radially projecting flanges, provides a gripping surface for the thumb and index finger of a dental technician during removal of the implant and healing screw from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Ultradent Products
    Inventors: David V. Fischer, Riccardo Ilic
  • Patent number: 5558227
    Abstract: A sealed container has inscribed on it a continuous portion of a calendar, which overlaps the time interval between the date of production of the contents and the expiration date thereof. This contributes to better quality control for the contents. The container can be selected by an automatic vending machine by which the consumer can select a container having the desired inscribed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Ikuhiro Hakamada
  • Patent number: 5558221
    Abstract: A holder to protectively pack several diskettes in separate pockets, the holder being fabricated from a single, rectangular blank of sheeting so die cut and scored that when the blank is folded on the score lines, there is then erected interhinged pockets. The blank is divided by longitudinal score lines into a broad central panel flanked by narrow side panels each die cut to define a series of equi-spaced lobes projecting outwardly therefrom. Transverse score lines divide the panels of the blank into a plurality of like sections, each including a pair of opposing lobes, each section being divided in half by a transverse score line extending through the center of the lobes. Diagonal score lines extending from the ends of each lobe and running through the related side panel to a common point on the adjacent longitudinal score line, form the boundaries of a gusset zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Susan Scior
  • Patent number: 5555981
    Abstract: A ridged, transparent, thermoplastic package for transporting disk products such as wafers, semi-conductor wafers or computer memory disks is disclosed. Elastomeric or flexible thermoplastic cushions hold the disk products in a manner which precludes them from becoming damaged during normal shipping and handling. The cushions have a plurality of disk engaging members which individually engage a disk. The disk engaging member conforms to the edge profile of the substrate wafer to securely hold the wafer. Wafer rotation is eliminated, particle generation is reduced and the cushions securely hold the disk products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Empak, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Gregerson
  • Patent number: 5555978
    Abstract: A roll of paper, metal foil, or plastic film is secured against unwinding by a helical adhesive strip wound around the middle of the roll more than 360.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Elsner Engineering Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Bertram F. Elsner
  • Patent number: 5553706
    Abstract: A packaging system for displaying merchandise on a rack system having a rack member. At least two pieces of merchandise are intended to be displayed together on the rack system. Each of the pieces of merchandise has a reinforcing member secured in the merchandise to provide at least one reinforced opening through each piece of the merchandise. A coupling mechanism extends through the reinforced opening in each piece of merchandise securing the pieces of merchandise to each other and supports the pieces of merchandise on the rack member. The at least two pieces of merchandise can be displayed on the rack system by hanging the coupling mechanism on the rack member and the at least two pieces of merchandise can be removed from the rack member and inspected and tested without affecting the attachment of the pieces of merchandise to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Danny Gold
  • Patent number: 5553707
    Abstract: A portable container for golf balls including three elongated elements, each of the three elongated elements having a top end and a bottom end. The container includes a base having a top face, a bottom face, a front side, and a rear side; the base being secured to the bottom end of each of the three elongated elements. A top element having a top face, a bottom face, a front side, and a rear side is secured to the top end of each of the three elongated elements. A plurality of dimples and corresponding cavities are used for securing together a plurality of the portable containers for golf balls. A clip for fastening to a belt or other object may be secured to one of the three elongated elements for detachably securing the portable container for golf bails to an animate or inanimate object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Ronald K. Lion
  • Patent number: 5553712
    Abstract: The instant invention is a container designed specifically for storing and displaying trading cards. The container has a main storage area, a hidden storage area, and a display floor. Construction allows for the stackability of containers by use of a lower tab which engages a peripheral edge formed by molded indicia placed on the upper surface. The main storage compartment of the container includes two fixed dividers allowing for placement of trading cards along the longitudinal length of the container wherein slots are provided for placement of loose leaf dividers allowing for individual separation. Between the two fixed dividers is another storage area having an increased depth which allows for placement of oversized cards or specialty cards. When the lid is placed in an open position, the handle operates as a stand and the bottom surface of the lid provides a card display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Suncast Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Tisbo, Stephen P. Whitehead, Michael G. Uffner
  • Patent number: 5551570
    Abstract: A decorative packaging system and kit for containing and displaying objects, the system including a basket, a flexible bag and a bag closure fastener. The bag is adapted to enclose the bag, and the fastener is adapted to close the mouth of the bag over the handle of the basket. The bag has a bottom that may include a bellows structure. The kit includes a packet that is adapted to receive the bag and fastener therein and that is adapted to be secured on the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventors: Pauline S. Shaffer, Kathy L. Fisher
  • Patent number: 5551562
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a carrier-suitcase, which can be moved on wheels as a carrier and can be carried as a suitcase. It has a body, whose interior is provided with a plurality of spaces (17,19,20,23-26), which are accessible in the part on the front side and in the part on the rear side of the body and which are intended for holding, in an orderly manner, at least one sports gun, such as a rifle, spare parts for the rifle, as well as cartridges and equipment and service components for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Fabrica D'Armi P. Beretta S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ugo G. Beretta
  • Patent number: 5551571
    Abstract: A new combination container for wafers, and a retainer element to prevent movement of the wafers in the container, is described. The container has a body member with a circular base with a flat upper surface for supporting stacked wafers, and an upright arcuate member on the base that is adapted to encircle approximately 180.degree. of the stack of wafers. An enclosure member with a top and a cylindrical wall mates with the body member to enclose the upright member and a stack of wafers. A suitable means is provided to secure the body member and enclosure member together in sealed relationship. The wafer carrier of the invention improves the handling and storage of large diameter semiconductor wafers, is easier to load and unload, and can be opened and closed with a minimum of effort and a reduced probability of damaging the wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Jenq-Tyan Lin, Horng-Huei Tseng
  • Patent number: 5551566
    Abstract: A can clip carrier having support tabs on both top and bottom panels. The panels are in face-to-face contact, with the bottom panel tabs located between and in contact with the upper portion of the cans and the top panel support tabs. The bottom tabs are spaced apart a distance such that some of the top panel tabs engage the upper portion of the cans between spaced bottom panel tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5549200
    Abstract: A swab dispenser system is provided that includes a reusable outer receptacle and a replaceable refill container insertable therewithin. The outer receptacle is formed with a fin projecting vertically upwardly and centrally positioned on the bottom panel of the receptacle. The fin has a horizontal length greater than a width thereof. The refill container on its bottom wall also includes a fin. The fin of the refill container has a hollow interior for form-fittingly receiving the fin projecting upwardly from the receptacle bottom panel. Function of the fin is to allow a consumer to properly orient the refill container when placing same into the receptacle. The fin also functions to direct swabs into a proper arrangement when they are being factory filled into the container. Furthermore, the position and geometry of the fin maximizes the number of swabs fillable into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Cowan, John Eimer, James Turbett
  • Patent number: 5549196
    Abstract: A packaging for a condom includes an applicator having a memory of its original shape, which is secured in compressed condition within a cap member, and which is manually releasable from said confinement within said cap member to permit axial extension of the applicator under the influence of its stored memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Leon B. Kassman
  • Patent number: 5544752
    Abstract: A bag for receiving objects and permitting manual evacuation of air from the bag. The inventive device includes a bag within which objects can be positioned. A bag sealing assembly extends across an opening of the bag to seal objects therewithin. A suction assembly extends through the bag and into fluid communication with an interior thereof to permit manual suctioning of air from the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Dean M. Cox
  • Patent number: 5544750
    Abstract: A portable holder for tissues to carry full size tissues right from a tissue box. The holder is to be die cut from flexible transparent material such as vinyl. The holder has having two like pockets on interior surface so aligned as to create a channel for the insertion of an insert cut to fit the rectangular main body of holder for tissues. Transparency of holder allows the insert to be seen through holder thereby becoming the decor of holder. With the insert in place, tissues are placed over the insert, the holder is folded and the fastener is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Carol C. Randall