Patents Examined by Joseph C. Merek
  • Patent number: 6764639
    Abstract: This invention concerns a drum-like container made of a discontinuously extruded hose-like perform of thermoplastic in a blow molding process. The drum-like container has a wall consisting of an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one intermediate layer. To make it possible to monitor the fill level of the fill material, the wall has a visual indicator strip of translucent plastic running in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Greif Bros. Corporation
    Inventor: Günter Richter
  • Patent number: 6758362
    Abstract: A specimen holder for a hydrous specimen comprising: (a) an inner hollow cylinder of a heat conductive material, (b) an inner hollow cylinder of a material which can be cut, (c) a cylindrical interior space within the inner hollow cylinder for receiving the specimen, and (d) the space between the inner hollow cylinder and an inside wall of the outer hollow cylinder being filled by a layer which is liquid at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Leica AG
    Inventor: Daniel Studer
  • Patent number: 6755318
    Abstract: Limited flow cups are provided which deliver a metered amount of fluid to a user during a drinking motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Reliant Medicals Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Burke, Richard M. Davis, Gerald Melsky, David Porat, Jerry Porter
  • Patent number: 6739468
    Abstract: A freight container (1) having a base (2) and a roof (5) wherein fittings (8, 9) for lifting the container and/or stacking a second container on the roof are provided with a support strut (24) moveably mounted on the container such that the support strut can be moved from a load-bearing position in which the support strut transfers a load between the fittings and the base during lifting and stacking and a loading position in which the support strut does not substantially impede loading and unloading of the freight container from a side of the container. The support strut is carried on one side of a gate structure (20) hinged to a corner post (3, 4) of the container by a hinge at the opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Sea Containers Services Ltd.
    Inventor: David Colebrook
  • Patent number: 6739469
    Abstract: A water tank made of stainless steel and having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided. The water tank comprises curved stainless steel panels forming a cylindrical body of the water tank, fan-shaped stainless steel panels forming a cone-shaped top part and a cone-shaped bottom part of the water tank, packing members being inserted between connecting portions of the stainless steel panels, reinforcing members, each having an L-shaped cross-section, which are arranged on both side of the connecting portions, bolts and nuts for coupling the stainless steel panels and the reinforcing members together by being inserted into holes formed thereon, reinforcing bars, an air vent disposed on the center portion of the top part, and a drain pipe disposed on the center portion of the bottom part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Dong Gyun Kim
  • Patent number: 6739470
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an insulated container which provides a high level of safety, which can be manufactured at a low cost, and which is aesthetically attractive and appealing to enjoy a variety of changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignees: Sadao Yawata, Masaki Kato
    Inventor: Masaya Yawata
  • Patent number: 6732881
    Abstract: A large, box-like polygonal tank for storing liquefied gas on land or on ground based structures (GBS) and a method of constructing the tank. The tank is comprised of an internal, truss-braced, rigid frame, having a cover on the frame for containing the stored liquid within the tank. The internal, truss-braced frame allows the interior of the tank to be contiguous throughout while compensating for the dynamic loads caused by the “sloshing” of stored liquid which, in turn, is due to the short excitation periods cause by seismic activity or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Kailash C. Gulati
  • Patent number: 6729492
    Abstract: Substantially rectangular-shaped tanks are provided for storing liquefied gas, which tanks are especially adapted for use on land or in combination with bottom-supported offshore structure such as gravity-based structures (GBS). A tank according to this invention is capable of storing fluids at substantially atmospheric pressure and has a plate cover adapted to contain fluids and to transfer local loads caused by contact of said plate cover with said contained fluids to a grillage of stiffeners and stringers, which in turn is adapted to transfer the local loads to an internal truss frame structure. Methods of constructing these tanks are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Kailash C. Gulati
  • Patent number: 6729486
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging container and a method of producing a packaging container for liquid contents. The packaging container has a casing produced from a web-shaped multilayer material and in the form of a sleeve, which, at one end, is connected to a bottom portion and at the other end is connected to a top portion produced from a blow molded thermoplastic material. The casing is formed by winding of the multilayer material into sleeve form and liquid-tight sealing of the material edges to a joint seam extending longitudinally of the sleeve, the top portion being manufactured in that thermoplastic material is extruded to form a hose which is blow molded into continuous top portions which are separated from one another and connected to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA
    Inventor: Göran Hermodsson
  • Patent number: 6722523
    Abstract: A beverage serving apparatus for easily and sanitarily providing accompaniments to a beverage in a container is described. The beverage serving apparatus having: (i) a handling portion designed to avoid contact with the beverage; (ii) a container attachment portion for coupling the apparatus to the rim of the container; (iii) a first accompaniment attachment portion shaped to receive a first accompaniment; and (iv) a second accompaniment attachment portion shaped to receive a second accompaniment. Both the first accompaniment attachment portion and the second accompaniment attachment portion can comprise various designs including an elongated slot, a circular slot, a pressure clip, a pointed end, etc. In addition, the container attachment portion of the described beverage serving apparatus can comprise a flexible slot, a pressure clip, or various other designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Scott M. Sternick
  • Patent number: 6722516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport container (2), in particular made from a synthetic material, having a base (3) and at least two side walls (6) pivotally joined to the base (3) by hinge mechanisms (11), and having a connecting mechanism (12) arranged in an overlap region between an end face (26) of a side wall (6) and an internal face (7) of the other side wall (6) for detachably connecting the side walls (6), acting against the automatic release of the connecting mechanism (12), the locking mechanism (16) being provided as a latching element (18) mounted so as to be displaceable in a side wall (6) and joined to the side wall (6) by at least one elastically deformable retaining arm (17) and displaceable thereby from a locking into a releasing position in the connecting mechanism (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Steiner Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Zelko
  • Patent number: 6719514
    Abstract: A process for producing a metal can, having a cylindrical body, a base and a lid, of the type in which the base has a cylindrical recess which projects into the inside of the can, in which process: a) a combination of a body and a base is produced, by deep-drawing and wall stretching, from metallic and/or plastic-coated metal sheet which is suitable for cans; b) an insert piece, which is tubular in shape so as to correspond to the cylindrical recess and is closed on one side, is produced from corresponding metal sheet by deep-drawing or spinning, followed by wall stretching; c) a hole which is narrower than the open side of the insert piece is made in the base of the body-base combination; d) the edge of the hole is flanged until it acquires a bearing surface which is able to fit together with the edge of the open side of the insert piece; c) the edge of the hole and the edge of the open side of the insert piece are joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Corus Staal BV
    Inventor: Johannes Lambertus Maria Mensink
  • Patent number: 6715626
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fuel container of plastic material such as a motor vehicle fuel tank, having one or more welded seams as seam locations for the body of the container and/or as connecting or sealing seams between the container wall in the region of openings and closure elements or covers welded thereto. At least some of the welded seams are at least partially penetrated by a duct which extends in the longitudinal direction in the seam and which can be filled with air and vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: SIG Kautexc GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Martin Balzer, Karsten Friedrichs, Werner Daubenbuechel, Olaf Welland, Peter Kluesener
  • Patent number: 6712251
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Travelon
    Inventors: Donald E. Godshaw, Andrezj M. Redzisz
  • Patent number: 6708835
    Abstract: An extendable basket and kit for making an extendable basket are disclosed. The extendable basket includes an ordinary basket, such as a laundry basket, and a fabric extension that can be secured generally about the perimeter of the basket. The fabric extension extends outwardly from the basket and increases the effective carrying capacity of the basket. The fabric extension may be releasably secured to the basket via clips, or other means. The fabric extension may include a drawstring with a locking mechanism. The kit may include the fabric extension and a selected number of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Derrick Mathis
  • Patent number: 6705484
    Abstract: A container has a polygonal and generally planar floor panel having a plurality of edges, an upper face, and a lower face. Respective side walls extend upward from the edges of the floor panel and a plurality of ribs extend downward from the lower face of the floor panel adjacent the edge. An annular floor strip fixed to the ribs forms therewith an annular array of pockets having horizontally outwardly open mouths. In accordance with the invention closure strips engaged over the mouths horizontally close the pockets and are fixed permanently to the mouths of the pockets. The floor panel, side walls, ribs, and floor strip are unitarily formed of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Fritz Schafer GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Schäfer
  • Patent number: 6698608
    Abstract: A protective case which includes two mating case components and a liner extending between a peripheral area for mating engagement to ensure a relatively sealed relationship when the case components are closed. A latch face is a single elongated element on the front and has two spaced interlocking components to cooperate with hooks in the opposite case component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Pelican Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Parker, John Hoven, Kevin Deighton
  • Patent number: 6698610
    Abstract: A triple-walled underground storage tank is provided with primary, secondary and tertiary walls. Between each two adjacent walls, an annular space is provided. The annular space is continuous throughout, and permits the flow of liquid therein. Monitors may be provided separately for each annulus, to detect the formation of leaks, or a lack of containment, in either wall defining the annular space. In one embodiment, the tertiary wall is a smooth cylinder formed about the circumferential ribs of the secondary wall. In the alternative embodiment, the rib-bearing wall is the tertiary wall, and the walls and annular materials of the tank are formed within a female mold. In either case, a tank prepared from integral ribs, with superior robustness and strength, is provided with triple containment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventors: Robin Berg, John Burwell, Albert F Dorris, John Smith
  • Patent number: 6691913
    Abstract: Readily sealable containers which do not require the moistening of dry adhesive layers or the use of removable release liners to protect pressure sensitive adhesive layers. Although the containers may have many applications and uses, they have particular advantages for shipping and mailing purposes. Thus, envelopes and shipping boxes are notable embodiment examples. In general terms, two facing sections of the container have layers of an adhesive substance and a release substance, arranged in such a manner that when the two facing sections are in contact with one another, the adhesive substance layers face the release substance, preventing a permanent sealing of the container, and then, the positioning of another section of the container, free of any adhesive or release substance between the two facing sections, which causes the sealing of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Luis J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: RE38433
    Abstract: An innovative technology for composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) has been developed which significantly increases cost effectiveness, increases reliability, and reduces weight over state-of-the-art COPVs. This technology combines an innovative thin liner made of a metal having a high modulus of elasticity and a high ductility, a high-performance composite overwrap and a high-performance film adhesive at the overwrap/liner interface. The metal liner can be fabricated from readily available titanium alloy sheet and plate using a combination of spin forming and machining to fabricate components and electron-beam welding for tank assembly. The composite overwrap is filament-wound onto an adhesive-covered titanium liner and the overwrap and adhesive are co-cured in an oven to yield an integrated tank structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Ellis C. Seal, Norman C. Elfer, Torben Brandt, Robert O. Edman