Patents Examined by Jimmy G. Foster
  • Patent number: 5544432
    Abstract: A cup-like insole includes a body of elastic material having a bottom surface which has a shape to fit to a bottom member of a shoe. The insole has a flat portion and a concave side wall portion formed integrally therewith extending from the area corresponding to the inner arch portion of the foot to the area corresponding to the outer lateral side of the foot through the area corresponding to the heel portion of the foot. An impact cushioning material has bouncing putty and is disposed on the upper surface of the side wall. A sheet made of either woven fabrics, unwoven fabrics, or leather covering over the impact cushioning material secures the material to the body. The cup-like insole, according to the invention, provides improved fitness of the heel portion of a shoe to stabilize the heel of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
    Inventor: Kenjiro Kita
  • Patent number: 5544755
    Abstract: A package for a battery or other article, comprising a sheet of material bent or folded along a plurality of substantially parallel fold lines (21, 22, 25, 26) to define an upwardly extending substantially flat panel region (15), an upper end locating region (11) extending forwardly from the lower extremity of the said panel region, a first limb (3) extending obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from the forward extremity of the end locating region, a second limb (5) extending obliquely forwardly and downwardly and defining with the first limb a V-section channel region, a lower end locating region (13) extending rearwardly from the lower limb, and a rear panel region (17) extending upwardly from the rear extremity of the lower end locating region and secured to the first mentioned panel region (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Jacky M. G. N. Paumen, Rowland Hemming, Kai Hartmann, Marc Beckers
  • Patent number: 5544753
    Abstract: A kit for the care of either lumbar or cervical back ailments is disclosed. The kit is designed to be given to the patient by either a caregiver or other outlet, such as a retail establishment or clinic, and allows the user to treat the most common forms of discomfort that arise from the problems. The kit includes an instruction videotape and a written manual to inform the user as to the proper use of the elements in the kit. Additionally, the kit includes an analgesic massage ointment, support devices, ice packs, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventor: Julianne H. Monica
  • Patent number: 5542536
    Abstract: A wrap-around carrier including partial end panels extending up from the bottom panel for covering the pricing code on the end articles in the package. The partial end panels are locked in place by gusset panels extending between an adjacent end article and the bottom panel and by side panel locking flaps extending between an adjacent end article and a connected side panel. Upper and lower corner restraint panels are also connected to the side panel locking flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 5542541
    Abstract: A multi-sided collapsible container is provided in combination with a pallet. The container preferably has an octagonal shape. The upright portion of the container is formed from a plurality of side panels, end panels, and corner panels. A bottom to the container is formed from a combination of bottom flaps and floor panels. Floor panels are affixed to the pallet for securing the container thereto. A plurality of transverse fold lines in combination with a plurality of lateral fold lines enable the container to move between an open upright use position and a plurality of collapsed storage positions contained within the confines of the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Four M Manufacturing Group of CPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5540333
    Abstract: Dual bags including a primary bag for french fries coupled to a secondary bag for ketchup. The primary bag has a base, a front wall and a rear wall. The base is formed with side edges coming to an obtuse angle at an intermediate point. Glue-receiving strips extend outwardly from the side edges. Each wall has interior fold lines flaring outwardly and supplemental fold lines located laterally outwardly from the interior fold lines. Glue-receiving strips are located outwardly from the supplemental fold lines. The upper edge of the central extent of the front wall has a concaved curve and the upper edge of the central extent of the rear wall has a convex curve. The smaller secondary ketchup bag has a rectangular outer panel and a rectangular inner panel with a transverse fold line therebetween adapted to create a V-shape cross section when open for receiving ketchup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventors: Anthony L. Gonzalez, Rose A. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 5540330
    Abstract: A box with elongate flaps is folded in the interior of the box and serve as a support and protection element for an item such as a jar to be positioned therein. The box is in a form of a single piece of cardboard or other material, the box being able to retain and effectively protect the jar or similar item within the box and being of low cost and of easy assembly at the moment of making up the package. The box is formed of a sheet of flexible material provided with four consecutive main panels separated from each other by parallel fold lines, with flaps and, for forming two ends of the box, with two respective closure panels projecting from free ends of the main panels and separated from them by fold lines perpendicular to those separating the panels from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: GI.BI.EFFE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Carmelo Lo Duca
  • Patent number: 5538133
    Abstract: There is provided a package (10) for a plurality of cans (11). The package incorporates an inner blank (13) which incorporates pairs of arcuate cuts which are pressed over and engage below the can rims. An outer blank (14) is adhered to the inner blank (13) and hinged side panels (25, 27) are wrapped around the cans and the other side panels (26, 28) are adhered to them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey Campbell, Keith Brimble, Mark A. Fisher
  • Patent number: 5538136
    Abstract: An egg storer including a relatively rigid transparent outer box formed of two hinged shells and receiving a pair of removable cushioning inserts. Each insert includes pockets therein which receive and cushion eggs, and suspend the eggs above the bottom wall of the box. The pockets are arranged in two rows of spaced pockets with the rows longitudinally offset and the pockets of adjacent rows generally transversely internested. The overall configuration of the box and internal inserts is an elongate and narrow oblique parallelepiped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Frederik J. Onneweer
  • Patent number: 5538137
    Abstract: A combination ski and boot bag including an elongated generally tubular shaped main portion for holding skis and ends on the main portion, a zipper along at least part of the length of the main portion allows access to the inside. A strap has ends attached to the main portion and has a support area near about one-half the length of the main portion. At least two satellite boot compartments are connected to the outside of the main portion and are spaced from each other and generally equally spaced from the support area of the strap along the length of the ski bag. The satellite boot compartments having closures which permit the boots to the placed therein and removed. The bottoms of the satellite boot compartments are generally on the same plane near the bottom side of the bag so that boots will stand up when in the satellite boot compartments and set on a horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventors: David M. Deioma, David B. Deioma
  • Patent number: 5533611
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a package (100,200) made up of a plurality of folding panels (101-106), particularly suitable for retaining a surgical suture (115) wound in a non-crossed manner on pins (111) that penetrate a first retaining panel (101) and are preferably arranged along semicircular paths. Thus, even a suture (115) made of a material provided with a great elastic memory can be retained in the package (100,200) of this invention for long periods of time, without assuming an accentuated undulated shape after being taken out of the package (100,200). Further according to the present invention, the package (100,200) includes a locking device of the tongue-slot type (130,131) for keeping the package (100,200) folded and closed, the respective slot (131) being disposed in a transversely median position in said first retaining panel (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcos A. Bordighon, Jose L. L. Januzelli
  • Patent number: 5533616
    Abstract: A rugged case for a motorcycle including a base having apertures through which ground-borne anchors may be received to which the base or a vehicle may be secured. Two housings hinged at the base pivot in a vertical plane transverse to the length of the base to enclose the vehicle. The housings have vent holes to exhaust volatile fumes incident with internal combustion engine-driven vehicles. The housings, transparent or colored, loosely outline the contour of the vehicle without requiring disassembly. Wheels may be attached to the base to facilitate ready mobility of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Catherine B. Crowfoot
  • Patent number: 5533615
    Abstract: A container for storing a disc comprising a planar surface having a recessed receptacle therein, a first retention means comprising at least one lip projecting from the planar surface over the recess, and a second retention means comprising a pivotable lip attached to a button, the button being attached to a flexible tab, which in turn is attached to the planar surface. When the button is depressed, the moveable lip lifts away allowing the insertion or removal of a disc from the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: William G. McCamy
  • Patent number: 5531324
    Abstract: A case for flat objects (e.g., shells containing disc-shaped recording media) includes a pair of case walls, a bottom wall and opposed side walls attached to the case walls. The opposed side walls maintain the case walls in parallel separated relationship and establish an open end of the case opposite to the bottom wall. The side walls are provided with respective L-shaped cut-out regions having edges which establish respective resilient tabs. One end of each tab is connected to a respective one of the side walls while the opposite terminal end of each tab is unconnected to the side wall. The resilient tabs each include a notch formed in their end which is connected to the side wall. The notch thereby establishes a hinge region to allow the resilient tabs to be deflected inwardly of the case and thereby be in resilient contact with a lateral edge of a flat object within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignees: Showa Yuki Kabushiki Kaisha, Hitachi Maxell Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Kosaki, Yoshito Tanaka, Tadahiro Kuwa
  • Patent number: 5529179
    Abstract: A dispensing lid for the circular upper rim of a beverage container is made having a flat base panel having a circular perimeter. A continuous lip downwardly directed from the perimeter is configured to embrace the rim of the container. Frangible vessels fabricated of thin plastic film are disposed within the base panel. The vessels contain condiments which are ordinarily added to popular beverages. When finger pressure is applied to the vessels, the undersides of the vessels break, thereby discharging the condiments into the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Claudia J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 5528811
    Abstract: A blade package assembly assures that a blade may be mounted on a surgical scalpel easily, conveniently and safely during a surgical procedure in an operating room. The assembly includes a base and a pivoted cover. The base supports a blade, and the cover at least partially encloses the blade. A pin on the base is received in a hole in the blade, and a ledge on the base supports the rear end portion of the blade. The scalpel has a forwardly-extending cleat received in a slot on the blade, and the scalpel with the blade mounted thereon may be lifted up and away to clear the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Bloom & Kreten
    Inventors: Michael R. Abidin, Steven P. Lehmbeck
  • Patent number: 5529173
    Abstract: A convertible container having two panels hingedly connected to one another along single edges. Recessed interior walls permit the storage of items therein when the panels are closed. A raised ridge along three outer sides of the panels allows an item to be supported and framed within the exterior panels when the container is open and converted to a double length framed area. Various locks keep the panels closed, interior baffles keep items in place when the container is closed and hook devices permit the container to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Frank Salacuse
  • Patent number: 5529177
    Abstract: A humidity control system for cargo containers. The humidity is controlled by one or more panels having a supply of desiccant or moisture absorbing material which can be initially installed in the dry state to reduce humidity. The panels can be installed on the ceiling, floor and/or walls of the container. For particular types of cargo which require higher humidity, the panel can be saturated with water prior to transporting the cargo. The saturated panel will release water vapor gradually to maintain a higher humidity. The panel can be a single panel or be made from several smaller panels. The panel can be used with or without a liner. When used with a liner, it can be installed as an integral part of the liner, or as a separate unit which can optionally hold the liner in place for loading and unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventors: Stephen D. Podd, Victor I. Podd
  • Patent number: 5529187
    Abstract: The invention is a carton for packaging card-like articles. The carton includes a pair of inclined panels folded inwardly from the top of a pair of side walls. The inclined panels have a plurality of parallel slots therein for receiving the contents and keeping them in an upright spaced relationship. The lid of the carton includes an abutment flap which extends from the lid and is folded inwardly to abut the card-like contents to hold them in a position spaced from the lid. The invention also includes a blank for making such a carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. DeNola
  • Patent number: 5529186
    Abstract: A boxed spool assembly of the present invention includes a spool assembly, a pair of end plates for supporting the spool assembly for rotation, and a box in which the spool assembly and end plates are placed. The bottom of the box is self-locking and requires no tape. Further, the box is constructed so that the overlapping of multiple layers of corrugated fiberboard is avoided in the bottom of the box so that the spool assembly can rotate without interference. The box includes starburst cuts to hold the loose end of cable or wire wound on the spool assembly so that a user can readily locate the loose end. One starburst cut has a slit communicating with a horizontal slot. Cable or wire can be paid-out or held in position by pulling the cable to the slot or starburst cut, respectively, by the slit. The end plates include polycarbonate material and have openings corresponding with openings in the box, to provide handholds for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Bass