Patents Examined by Joseph C. Merek
  • Patent number: 7083065
    Abstract: A polymeric tank assembly is provided having a polymeric container with a neck opening. A ring with protruding barbs is inserted within the neck opening and the neck opening is placed in compression by a surround collar. The ring can be connected with clamping arms which can be engaged by a clamping ring which retains an instrument within the tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Millennium Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Zdroik
  • Patent number: 7063223
    Abstract: In a folding container assembled in a box form by raising folded long side walls 51 so as to stand perpendicular to a bottom portion 10 and then raising folded short side walls 27 so as to stand perpendicular to the bottom portion, each of the short side walls is composed of an upper short side wall portion 27a and a lower short side wall portion 27b, and horizontal pins h3 formed on the upper short side wall portion are inserted into corresponding slits 35 in hinge female blocks H3formed on the lower short side wall portion to hinge the upper short side wall portion and the lower short side wall portion together. The short side walls are each composed of the upper short side wall portion and lower short side wall portion connected together with hinge members to reduce the height of the folded folding container. Accordingly, the folded folding container can be more efficiently housed to save housing spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Sanko Co., LTD
    Inventors: Kunihiko Iwahara, Kazuhiko Miyata
  • Patent number: 7032767
    Abstract: A plastic core container is reinforced with a fibre-plastic composite for storing pressurized liquid and/or gaseous media and includes one or more connecting parts located in the neck and/or base and/or cylindrical container part. At least one connecting part is configured to receive a screw-in cylindrical or conical pressure-line feed device. A cylindrical insert is mounted in a connection shank of the plastic core container and has an end collar that envelops or surrounds the end of the connection shank. At least two seals are positioned so that at least one seal lies between the insert and the inner surface of the plastic connecting shank and at least one additional seal lies between the insert and the pressure-line feed device to guarantee a tight and permanent impermeability in the vicinity of the connecting parts, even under extreme, fluctuating thermal and operational stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Ralph Funck
  • Patent number: 7011223
    Abstract: A frame container (10) for packing, shipping, and storing heavy durable goods in which a supporting base (12) includes two pairs of opposing side diagonals (40) with opposing end frames (14, 16) pivotally connected to respective second ends (42) of the opposing side diagonals (40). Each pair of opposing side diagonals (40) pivot between a first position aligned with the base (12) and the second ends (42) near respective ends of the base and a second pivoted position whereby the side diagonals are disposed at an oblique angle relative to the base with the second ends of the pair of side diagonals remote from the respective ends of the base and towards the opposing end of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: North American Container Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Grigsby, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7011222
    Abstract: A container insert includes: (a) a cup member having a central axis, the cup member being defined by a center base and a plurality of radiant support members, the radiant support members extending outwardly and upwardly from the center base with space therebetween; and, (b) a rigid stem member having a first end and a second end, the stem member being connected to the cup member at the first end along the central axis and extending downwardly therefrom away from the radiant support members. The cup member center base may be flat, tapered or otherwise and may include or exclude sidewalls. The cup member base may be circular from atop view, or could be some other configuration. Any workable shape may be utilized, such as a hexagon, pentagon, or shapes including straight edges and arcuated edges. A handle may also be attached to the base or a support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Stuart W. DeJonge
  • Patent number: 7011241
    Abstract: A low slung tool belt carrier includes pouches designed to be suspended from a belt strap construction with a shoulder strap crossing over the torso or shoulders to support the larger of two pouches, the pouches arranged to fit on the hips or be rested upon the hips of an individual. Alternate constructions incorporate handles for carrying the pouches and fasteners for combining pouches. Various alternative combinations of tool belts, waist straps, handles, carry straps, pouches and pockets enable customization of a tool belt for individual workmen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Travel Caddy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Andrezj M. Redzisz
  • Patent number: 7007819
    Abstract: This invention is a photo display drinking container for children. The container includes a hollow vessel (12) surrounded by a clear outer casing (10). The clear outer casing (10) is open at the bottom, forming a display space (21) between the hollow vessel (12) and the clear outer casing (10). The display space (21) is for the purpose of easy insertion and removal of personalized photographs or decorations (20). A clear bottom lid (11), connected to the clear outer casing (10), prevents the decorations (20) from falling out of the display space (21). The clear bottom lid (11) is removable, and pictures can be inserted and removed frequently. A top lid (13) protects contents of the hollow container vessel (14) during the insertion and removal of decorations (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Leah Pollack
  • Patent number: 7005167
    Abstract: A heat insulating container is described, including an outer glass container and an inner glass container housed therein with a gap formed in-between as a heat insulating layer. A radiant heat preventive film containing a metal oxide is disposed on at least one of the external surface of the inner container or the internal surface of the outer container, wherein the radiant heat preventive film has a reflectivity of 35% or higher with a wavelength of 15 ?m. When the thickness of the radiant heat preventive film is 3000 ?, the Hall mobility “x” (cm2/V·s) and the carrier concentration “y” (cm?3) of the same satisfy the following formulae: y??5×1020x+2×1021 and y??6×1018x+3×1020. When the thickness of the radiant heat preventive film is 5000 ?, x and y satisfy the following formulae: y??5×1020x+3×1021 and y??6×1018x+7×1020. Such radiant heat preventive films can have high reflectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Thermos K.K.
    Inventors: Naoho Baba, Takafumi Fujii, Isao Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6994226
    Abstract: A plastic reinforcing clip for use with a container of the type including a corrugated sleeve adapted to be removably attached to a plastic pallet or base member by the use of sliding latch members coacting with circular apertures in the lower peripheral edge portion of the sleeve. The reinforcing clip structure is formed of a single piece of molded plastic material and includes an outer annular planar portion, an inner annular planar portion, an outer cup-shaped liner portion, an inner cup-shaped liner portion, and a central hinge portion. In use, the central hinge portion is positioned under and along the lower edge of the sleeve beneath an aperture in the sleeve and the inner and outer planar portions are swung upwardly about live hinges provided between the hinge portion and the inner and outer planar portions. As the inner and outer planar portions are swung upwardly and inwardly, the cup-shaped liner portions enter the slot from the inner and outer faces of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Lyle H. Shuert
  • Patent number: 6994216
    Abstract: A storage container includes a corner support extending across each corner and supported on an upper edge of each of the two adjacent walls in the corner. Each corner support is hingeably connected to one of the two adjacent walls. The corner support is supported on an upper surface of a column projecting inward from each adjacent wall. A ledge also protrudes inward from each column and supports a leg extending downward from the corner support. A third ledge is formed on an inner surface of the corner and supports a third leg extending downward from the corner support. Each corner support is pivotable about its hinge between a use position, generally parallel to the base, and an open position, generally adjacent one of the edge walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Michael P. Wong
  • Patent number: 6991123
    Abstract: A closure (10) having a sealing rib (14) projecting downwardly from the underside of its top portion (11). The first portion (15) of the sealing rib (14) increases in thickness as it extends away from the top portion (11). In another aspect, the invention relates to a closure (10) in which the sealing rib (14) has a third portion (18) that is substantially no thicker than the second portion (17) of the rib (14) and has a length longer, and preferably substantially longer, than its thickness. In the second aspect, the third portion (18) of the rib (14) is connected to the second portion (17) at or adjacent its free edge and extends generally in a direction away from the top portion (11). Upon attachment of the closure (10) with the neck (22) of a container, the third portion (18) will be displaced to lie between the end portion (23) of the neck (22) of the container and the top portion (11) of the closure (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Closures and Packaging Services Limited
    Inventors: Rodney Malcolm Druitt, Michael Patrick Furlong
  • Patent number: 6988633
    Abstract: A blow molded article includes an outer wall and an article retaining feature projecting outwardly therefrom. The article retaining feature includes a distal wall and a side wall connecting the distal wall and the outer wall of the blow molded article. The side wall is generally orthogonal to the outer wall of the blow molded article, and an inner surface is defined at least partially by inner edges of the side wall, the distal wall and the outer wall of the blow molded article. The side wall has a hole integrally molded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Grinnall, Duane Franzen, Terry Lucky
  • Patent number: 6988632
    Abstract: A deployable bag for a container embraces a containment web and a deployment system. In one embodiment, the deployment system embraces an inflatable bladder system that provides a plurality of ribs attached to or integrally part of the web that assist in deploying and supporting the bag in the container. Air may be employed as an inflation medium. The bag can be deployed in the container and employed as a liner. The container can be a vacuum box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventors: Paul N. Hardy, David G. Lobbestael, Michael L. Nottley
  • Patent number: 6989168
    Abstract: A container for vending single servings of beverages and snack foods, includes a liquid-impermeable wall providing a compartment for the beverage. An inside section of the wall defines a recess isolated from the compartment and open to the container exterior at the bottom. Near the upper end of the recess, the inside wall diameter is decreased in steps, to frictionally engage a leading edge region of a snack-food cartridge or other product inserted into the recess. A pull tab between the cartridge and the recess is accessible to remove the cartridge. Alternatively, a cartridge wrapper can be shaped to provide a pull tab component. The preferred snack-food cartridge includes a compliant thin film or foil wrapping surrounding a stack of cookies, a bar, or other snack food. In alternative arrangements, the container has a vertical slot for viewing a cartridge inserted into the recess, or is formed with horizontal top and bottom wall sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Lonnie J. Fahey
  • Patent number: 6986436
    Abstract: Generally described, a storage container comprising a removable sleeve positively closely positioned around a receptacle is provided. When positioned on the receptacle, the ends of the sleeve overlap, and the outer overlapping portion is bonded or secured to at least one separation section within an inner overlapped portion. The separation section is defined at least partially by a scored line, with the scored line being a cut that penetrates a top portion of the sleeve. The sleeve is removed by pulling the outer edge of the sleeve radially outward thereby separating the top portion of the sleeve at the separation section from the remaining portion of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Huhtamaki Consumer Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6981317
    Abstract: When mounting an IC chip on a circuit board, bumps are formed on electrodes of the IC chip, and the bumps and the electrodes of the circuit board are aligned in position with each other with interposition of an insulative thermosetting resin having no conductive particle between the electrodes of the circuit board and the bumps. The IC chip is pressed against the circuit board with a pressure force of not smaller than 20 gf per bump by a heated head so as to perform warp correction of the IC chip and the board, while the resin interposed between the IC chip and the circuit board is hardened to bond the IC chip and the circuit board together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuto Nishida
  • Patent number: 6976601
    Abstract: An electrical equipment box includes a back incorporating one or more holes of elongate shape in a direction X for fixing the box to a wall. The hole or each hole is in a stud attached to the back by a flexible connection allowing a small offset of the hole relative to a stable original position in a direction Y parallel to the plane of the back and perpendicular to the direction X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventor: Damien Adam
  • Patent number: 6976787
    Abstract: A reclosable package has a flexible zipper and a slider. The zipper comprises first and second zipper parts having interlocking elements, first opposing portions on one side of the interlocking elements and second opposing portions on the other side of the interlocking elements. The slider has a top wall, first and second side walls connected to the top wall, an opening end, a closing end, and first and second camming means that have respective fixed positional relationships to the first and second side walls and that cam the first opposing portions of lengthwise sections of the first and second zipper parts located inside the slider in opposite directions during movement of the slider in an opening direction along the zipper, while the second opposing portions of the lengthwise sections of the first and second zipper parts located inside the slider do not move further away from each other during the slider movement in the opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Paul Plourde
  • Patent number: 6974048
    Abstract: A safety tool includes magnets and an outer non-conductive sheath encompassing an inner bag. A purpose of the tool is to provide safety for the operator while drilling or cutting into electrical/electronic enclosures, such as switchgear. The tool is constructed so that an operator can perform a task while preventing any conductive debris caused by this task to come in contact with any electrical or electronic parts. The top portion of the tool magnetically attaches to the inside of the switchgear structure. The bottom portion of the tool, which is coupled to the top portion by the non-conductive sheath, collects and magnetically contains the debris, such as shavings from drilling into the structure. Specifically, the debris is collected in the inner bag, which can easily be removed from the tool for disposal of the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: James Edwin Funk
  • Patent number: 6971532
    Abstract: A system and method of constructing a substantially decorative article without the need for fasteners. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the decorative article is a woven basket. One or more retainers are provided to retain the material used to construct the outer surface of the decorative article. Each retainer is provided with a channel for receiving one end of the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article. The channels are able to retain the ends of the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article without the need for fasteners. If the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article is sufficiently rigid, the decorative article will be self-supporting. If the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article is not sufficiently self-supporting, supports may be located between the retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventors: G. Thomas Williams, Charles T. Williams