Patents Examined by Joseph C. Merek
  • Patent number: 6880715
    Abstract: A packaging container has a container body formed of a shape substantially resembling an inverted cone. The packaging container can be set alone on a support surface and the contents, such as confectionery, of the packaging container can be removed without holding the packaging container by hand. The container package includes a container body formed of a shape substantially resembling an inverted cone and having a tapered end portion and an open end opposite the tapered end portion, a lid for hermetically sealing the container body, and a frustum-shaped exterior shell removably fitted on the container body. When the exterior shell fitted on the container body is removed from the container body and is inverted, and the tapered end portion of the container body is inserted into the inverted exterior shell, the container body is supported by the exterior shell. The container body is provided on its outer surface with protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Bourbon Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuei Tanabe, Kazuo Asano, Hiroei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6877628
    Abstract: A container (1) with collapsible sides (3a,3b,3c,3d,5a,5b), wherein at least one side (3a) is provided with at least one pivotally mounted lock handle (12) with a lock pin (13) that can, while protruding from the side (3a), be introduced into an opening (14) in an abutting side (3d), wherein the lock pin (13) can, by turning of the lock handle (12), be caused to lockingly engage with the opening (14). The lock handle (12) is pivotally mounted in such a manner that in this locking position as well as in its resting position in which the lock pin does not engage with the opening (14) is situated substantially along the side (3a), while in other positions it protrudes considerably from the side (3a). The lock handle (12) is provided with a spring mechanism that will, irrespective of the position of the lock handle, influence it with a force in a direction towards its locking and resting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Bekaert Handling Group A/S
    Inventor: Erik Markvard Grubbe Nesting
  • Patent number: 6874650
    Abstract: A stackable container, including side walls extending upwardly from a bottom wall and defining an open-top, enclosed space therein, and rigid support members spaced about the bottom wall, the rigid support members having a vertical height. The side walls are tapered outwardly so as to be stackable in a nesting relationship within a similar container with a stacking offset less than the support members vertical height whereby the support members are supported on aligned rigid support members of the similar container. Outwardly tapered stress-relieving triangular corner surfaces extend upwardly between 130° and 140° from corners of the bottom wall and connect to side walls to form each junction of the bottom wall with two side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Home Products International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Welsh, Michael C. Thuma, Laura Morris
  • Patent number: 6874937
    Abstract: A reclosable package or bag having a mouth with a plastic zipper installed therein. In one embodiment, the zipper has first and second interlockable profiled structures connected by a membrane. The membrane acts as a tamper-evident feature and a hermetic seal. The plastic zipper is opened and closed by a slider that has no separating finger to separate the interlocked profiles. The membrane can be configured and situated such that it is captured in an interstice formed by the interlocked profiled structures and also serves as a liquid-tight seal after the membrane is torn. In another embodiment, the membrane depends from one of the profiled structures of the zipper. The membrane has a width and gauge that allow it to serve as a liquid-tight sealing gasket when captured in the interstice formed by the interlocked profiled structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Ausnit
  • Patent number: 6866160
    Abstract: A folding structure for a foldable container having a base platform, bottom side rails disposed at both sides of the base platform, and corner posts disposed at both sides of the bottom rails. The corner posts are pivotally attached to the bottom side rails via pins and the sides of the corner posts are provided with corner post locking devices which can hold the corner posts in an upright position or a folded down position. The corner post locking device includes inner locking apertures arranged on both sides of the ends of the bottom side rails. Outer locking apertures are arranged on both sides of the lower ends of the corner posts which correspond to the inner locking apertures when the corner posts are in the upright position. Threaded taper pins are further provided which engage with the inner and outer locking apertures correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventors: Feng Wang, Shisheng Wang
  • Patent number: 6857537
    Abstract: A resin member has a first barrel member 30, which can be welded to the fuel tank, and a second barrel member having a higher melting temperature than the first barrel member. The first barrel member is joined to the outer circumference of the second barrel member and protrudes at one axial end. The second barrel member protrudes at the other axial end. A bolt is inserted from one end where the first barrel member protrudes through the second barrel member out of an end face where the second barrel member protrudes. The first barrel member of the resin member is welded to the fuel tank. The bolt is inserted into a mounting hole of the heat insulation plate and securely fastened. A flange spreading diametrically is preferably formed on a protruding end face of the second barrel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 6848581
    Abstract: A carrying case for carrying and organizing medication is disclosed. The carrying case comprises a first compartment and second compartment, with the first and second compartments relatively foldable along a common fold line between an open position and a closed position. The first and second compartments are disposed in face-to-face relationship when the first and second compartments are in the closed position. A plurality of slots are defined in at least one of the compartments, and a plurality of inserts are provided. Each of the inserts is sized for insertion into a corresponding one of the slots, with each of the inserts having at least one closeable chamber. A divider panel is provided, with the divider panel mounted for shiftable movement between a folded position in which the divider panel is disposed over at least one of the compartments and an unfolded position in which the divider panel permits access to the at least one compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Cohen
  • Patent number: 6840378
    Abstract: A connection structure of a storage compartment consists of handles stored into a storage part provided at a top board member of the storage compartment; engaging pieces arranged at a base board and engages with means for engaged in the storage compartment located below due to a spring power of a spring in case that the handles are laid flat at a vertical state respectively; means for traction to connect to the handles and engaging piece respectively; and the engaging piece, in case that the storage compartments having same form are piled up respectively, interlocks a movement of the handles in a case that the handle installed with the storage compartment located above is brought at a standing-up state and rotates in a moving direction against the spring power of the spring, so that it can connect or dissociate automatically by only operating the handle prepared in the top board member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Toguchi
  • Patent number: 6827230
    Abstract: A sidewards opening rain tight electrical enclosure including a box and a door pivotally and slidably mounted to the box by a hinge. The box has a front, a pair of side walls, and a top wall with a lip depending therefrom over, but slightly spaced away from, the front and the pair of side walls of the box so as to form a gap therebetween. The hinge allows the door to slide down relative to the box, pivot relative to the box onto the front of the box, and slide up relative to the box and be positioned in the gap for allowing the lip to prevent rain from entering behind the door. The box has a latch slidably mounted to the bottom wall thereof and extendable therefrom through the door so as to prevent the door from sliding back down relative to the box once closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventors: Robert M. Tuniewicz, Gilbert D. Talamo
  • Patent number: 6820761
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding container having a bottom portion 100 having locking blocks 108, 109, 113 formed thereon and on which the bottom portion of a folded folding container can be fitted, and side walls having recesses 210, 307 formed therein and each having an open underside into which the corresponding locking block of an assembled folding container can be inserted, wherein engagement frame sections 207, 308 are used to mutually engage the side walls and to engage the side walls with the bottom portion. Therefore, folded folding containers can be stably stacked up, and the folding container can be strongly assembled in the form of a box because the engagement frame sections are used to mutually engage the side walls and to engage the side walls with the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sanko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Mouri, Histatoshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6820780
    Abstract: A hydration system with an improved fluid reservoir. A drinking tube extends from an outlet port of the reservoir and includes a distal end upon which a mouthpiece may be mounted. In some embodiments, the reservoir includes a relatively large-diameter fill port. In some embodiments, the reservoir includes a closure member with a handle for selectively sealing the input port. In some embodiments, the reservoir includes a wrench assembly that enables the user to more easily open and close the input port and/or to position the reservoir for filling. In some embodiments, the hydration system includes a pack into which the reservoir is received, and in some embodiments, the pack includes a hanger assembly adapted to support the reservoir within the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: CamelBak Products, LLC
    Inventors: Barley A. Forsman, Robert Miros, Robert Choi
  • Patent number: 6821018
    Abstract: Flexible container with a sealable closure system comprising an envelope type enclosure having impermeable walls, an opening being defined at an upper portion of the enclosure, two rigid bars being configured to tightly engage edges of the opening in order to seal the enclosure closed, at least one of the two rigid bars being movable, and a system for locking the two rigid bars together. The system for locking the two rigid bars together engages the two rigid bars at both ends of the rigid bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Jacques Denko
  • Patent number: 6820760
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical box extension that includes an extending member for switch and/or plug mounting having one or more fastening brackets, one or more base fastening brackets and one or more fasteners that together with optional contact points provide for mechanical and electrical connectivity between the extending member and its associated electrical box and provide sufficient mechanical resistance to support the adjustable elevation of the elevating member thereby supporting a flush surface for surface mounted sockets, switches and their associated plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventors: Wesley Gene Wegner, Paul Brett Wegner
  • Patent number: 6820762
    Abstract: A rib suitable for use with a storage tank has a “Y” cross sectional shape including a trunk section and branches. Each of the branches includes a substantially flat upper surface for positioning adjacent to a tank wall. The branches together with the tank wall define an annular space which may be used as part of an annular space in a multiple wall tank. The rib preferably includes a high modulus material such as graphite or steel. The high modulus material may be present in the trunk, branches, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Xerxes Corporation
    Inventor: Robin L. Berg, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6808081
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a refuse and recycling container 12 for cans, bottles or paper that includes a light weight container body 12 with integrally formed bottom 14 and side wall 16 wherein the upper end of the side wall around the periphery thereof defines a mouth 18 for receiving refuse or recycling items and for receiving and supporting a lid 20 having an open grip handle 27. Also shown are a plurality of base 24 and upper 26 disposed handles for easy manipulation of the pail 12. The recycling container also has base apertures 34 for drainage and a reflective element 28 encompassing a portion of the outer periphery that provides address identification blocks 30 for owner identification. In addition, there are interior indicia 32 and indicia lines 38 used to guide the user in the proper use of the recycling container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Angelo Citro
  • Patent number: 6796430
    Abstract: A container and lid combination includes a container having a bottom surface, an opening, a top edge surrounding the opening, and an attachment mechanism provided on the bottom surface, and a lid engageable with the top edge of the container to cover the opening. The lid may include an attachment mechanism provided on its inside surface that is engageable with the attachment mechanism of the bottom surface of the container. The lid is attachable to the bottom surface of the container in a nested state via engagement of the respective attachment mechanisms. Another attachment mechanism may be provided on the outside surface of the lid that is engageable with the attachment mechanism of the bottom surface of the container. The lid is attachable to the bottom surface of the container in a nested state and/or in an inverted state via engagement of the attachment mechanisms. A set of such container and lid combinations may be nested together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Doug Mercier, Richard E. Griffith
  • Patent number: 6793095
    Abstract: A pressurized vessel, such as a tank liner, is formed of a thermoplastic injection-molded connector or insert and a thermoplastic blow-molded vessel body. A noncylindrical skirt of the connector having a substantial surface area is spin-welded to a mating interface formed on the outer surface of the vessel body adjacent an orifice into which the insert is received. In a preferred embodiment, a sacrificed portion of an upstanding orifice sidewall forms a molten weld bead, which flows in a channel to fuse the skirt to the mating interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Essef Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Dulisse, Charles D. Poellet, Rick Fogle
  • Patent number: 6779922
    Abstract: A sealable bag for storing merchandise includes a body having a pocket that is adapted to receive the merchandise. The pocket has an opening through which merchandise is placed into the pocket. The body has a pair of flanges disposed along the sides of the body. The body has a neck with the opening of the pocket being disposed at the neck of the body. The neck has a sealing area. The bag includes a pair of stress relief notches disposed in the flanges intermediate the sealing area and the opening of the pocket. Each stress relief notch extends into the neck of the body. The stress relief notches prevent the sealing area from becoming wrinkled while the bag is being sealed with automated equipment thus allowing a clean, unwrinkled seal to be formed in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony H. Gates
  • Patent number: 6769562
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a receptacle sleeve for use with a padded wall. The device includes a base having opposingly located walls which define an opening. A first edge and a second edge is also located on the walls. A lip is attached to the first edge and circumscribes the base. The device also includes a moveable anchor that may have at least one fold line. The anchor is attached to one or more walls at the second edge. The lip, wall, and anchor combine to create at least one channel for securing the receptacle to a padded wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Porter Athletic Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Edward Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6769558
    Abstract: A leakproof, resealable container and cap assembly, consisting essentially of: a container having a rim at its upper portion and a cap having a circular base with an outer periphery, a cylindrical tubular skirt having an inner wall with at least one recess, a thumb tab for facilitating the opening and closing of the container, and a hinge connecting the cap to the container; and in a closed portion, the skirt of the cap overlies the container and the rim of the container is situated within the recess of the inner wall of the skirt of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Bucholtz