Patents Examined by Joseph C. Merek
  • Patent number: 6460714
    Abstract: A sidewall portion for a plastic container used to receive a commodity and to retain the commodity during high temperature pasteurization and after cooling. The plastic container has an upper portion defining an aperture sealed by a closure, a lower portion forming a base, and a sidewall portion unitarily connected with and extending between the upper portion and the lower portion. The sidewall portion includes panels having a vacuum panel portion unitarily formed in and inwardly recessed from the sidewall, and a pressure panel portion unitarily formed with the vacuum panel portion. The pressure panel portion is movable from a first position to a second position during pasteurization thereby increasing the volume of the container and avoiding any significant deformation of the sidewall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Kerry W. Silvers, Timothy J. Boyd, Dwayne G. Vailliencourt, Richard J. Steih
  • Patent number: 6457599
    Abstract: A stackable case for retaining and transporting bottles includes outer side walls forming an outer shell, a case bottom disposed substantially within the outer shell, and a plurality of supports for supporting the outer surfaces of the bottles. The side walls include a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons, where four corner pylons define the four corners of the case. At least one upwardly projecting column is generally disposed within the outer shell, and defines, in combination with the case bottom, the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The columns and the pylons extend above the lower wall portions and below a top surface of the retained bottles. The end walls each include an integrally molded handle structure suspended between an upper portion of adjacent corner pylons to thereby define a generally open end wall area below the handle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Philip C. Hwang
  • Patent number: 6450360
    Abstract: A plurality of spring tubes is provided in an assembly to make a worker's practice of “pearl diving” unnecessary. A container has one tube attached in each corner and each tube has an internal coil spring secured at a bottom of an inner chamber but extended by a cable looped over a pulley at a top of the tube. A shelf or false bottom is attached to a quick link at an end of the cable in each tube. Each link is guided in a vertical slot formed in an outer chamber of each extruded plastic tube so that the shelf is spring-loaded and weight-responsive. A key advantage of the adjustable shelf is that it prevents back strain and similar muscular injuries to workers who are constantly leaning and bending over to retrieve or store articles in the container. The ability of the shelf to tilt at any or all corners allows it to float and not bind as product is loaded or removed. These tubes and the shelf can be adapted to any of the presently manufactured containers or racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Ergo Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Hyde
  • Patent number: 6450353
    Abstract: A floor box cover assembly includes a ring receivable within an open end portion of the floor box, and further includes a cover structure having an access opening for providing access to the receptacle. A cylindrical wall on the cover structure fits within the ring when the cover structure is installed over the ring. The ring and the cover structure together define a plurality of radially projecting pins and a corresponding plurality of J-hook slots that receive the pins upon installation of the cover structure over the ring. The slots are free of detent constrictions for interlocking with the pins. Additionally, the ring is a split ring and fits within the floor box in an installed position in which opposite ends of the split ring define a circumferentially extending gap. The cover structure has an alignment boss that blocks insertion of the cylindrical wall into the split ring in positions other than a position in which the alignment boss is received within the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.
    Inventors: Charles H. Riedy, Gregory D. Turcovsky
  • Patent number: 6450363
    Abstract: A coffee mug (60) with interchangeable accessories that include a coffee mug body (62) with a groove (70) around the upper outside surface and a lid (76) removably inserted into the body. A replaceable handle bracket (84) is attached to the groove in the body and a detachable handle (100) is connected to the bracket and held in place with a clip (102). A removable docking station (116) is rotatably attached to a base (72) on the bottom of the coffee mug The accessory lid, bracket, handle and docking station are individually selected to personalize the appearance and tactile qualities of the coffee mug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Shin-Shuoh Lin
  • Patent number: 6446821
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a baby bottle having gradations that allow for accurate measure of the fluid contained and/or dispensed from the bottle, wherein the gradations read true when held in a predetermined feeding angle. Invention bottles further comprise a leveling apparatus for determining when the bottle is being held at the angle whereby the gradations show the true volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Mason W. Salisbury
  • Patent number: 6446824
    Abstract: A loading unit for air freight comprises a loading base (1), four upright walls (3, 4, 5, 25, 26) on the loading base (1) and a cover (2) on the upright walls, the walls being detachably joined to the loading base (1) and the cover (2). The loading base (1) and the cover (2) have slots (11) on their periphery in which the walls can be accommodated. The loading base (1) and the cover (2) also have upright edges (9, 10, 14, 15) which can be placed directly one on top of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
    Inventor: Pieter Egbert Sluiter
  • Patent number: 6443324
    Abstract: A tab top beverage can has a compressible drinking straw held between the can bottom and an upwardly extending detachable closed cavity formed in the can top. Detachment of the cavity by a pivoting tab top uncovers a straw access orifice through which the straw is projected by the force of a previously compressed corrugated spring section formed in the straw wall. A bulge located on the straw prevents passage of the straw from the can and facilitates extension of the straw. The tab is attached to the can top by outwardly projecting lips formed on upwardly projecting closed cavities defined in the can top. The cavities extend through openings in the tab and the lips extend beyond the opening perimeters to secure the tab to the cavities and top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Vaughn Kent Buntain
  • Patent number: 6439417
    Abstract: A lower wall partially defining a fuel storing chamber of a fuel tank curves upward in accordance a decrease in an amount of fuel stored in the fuel storing chamber. The volume of a gaseous space in the fuel storing chamber is reduced, in comparison with a fuel tank in which a lower wall does not deform, by an amount corresponding to a reduction of the volume of the fuel storing chamber achieved by the curvature of the lower wall. An amount of fuel not discharged from the fuel storing chamber via a fuel passage but remaining near a peripheral end portion of the lower wall of the fuel storing chamber due to the upward curvature of the lower wall is discharged via a residual fuel discharging pipe, so that the residual fuel amount of the fuel storing chamber is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Horie Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Arase, Takashi Ishikawa, Takuya Ishikawa, Teijiro Goto
  • Patent number: 6435365
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a fuel tank having a tank opening and a component disposed therein includes a seal adapted to be disposed between the component and a tank surface of the fuel tank. The seal assembly also includes an encapsulated studded ring assembly for attachment to the tank surface and adapted to be disposed about the tank opening. The seal assembly further includes a locking ring cooperating with the encapsulated studded ring assembly for engagement with the component to secure the component to the fuel tank and to seal the tank opening via the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahlon Richard Pachciarz, Gary Francis Stack
  • Patent number: 6431387
    Abstract: The invention relates to an above-ground storage tank having a leakage protection lining for storing media posing a hazard to water, and to a process for equipping and particularly refitting an existing above-ground storage tank with a lining protecting it against leakage. The lining can be mounted permanently and vacuum tight on the walls of the tank. A medium-resistant foil almost completely covers the tank bottom and extends up into the lower zone of the inner side of the tank wall. This foil is secured around the outer limitation of the tank bottom by a clamping device. An insert covers the tank bottom and extends up to the clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: UTEK Umweltschutztechnologien GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Piehler
  • Patent number: 6412661
    Abstract: A clear plastic paint container including primary container and lid, both of which are threaded. The container is unique because of the spill resistant convex pour spout, liquid recovery drain trough, redundant sealing to preserve contents and recessed molded bottom hand grip for more effective handling. The no-waste, no-special tools, no-rust, no-label obliteration, corrosion resistant, and thermal resilient advantages are just some of the auxiliary features. These enhancements by far surpass the conventional wisdom of the container industry. The use of “PETE” (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic or equivalent transforms this container to an eye appealing and practical alternative. The opportunity to offer such an improvement by only slightly reducing contents. The paint industry must have a keen interest in this container, not only because of the growing demand for plastic containers but also the numerous advantages listed in the summary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Robert E. Hannah, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6409039
    Abstract: A metal finishing barrel side opening has a cover secured by a series of cover and barrel tabs, the cover slid into a secured position with the cover tabs partially overlain by the barrel tabs. A locking handle assembly includes a graspable portion supported on a deflectable spring blade attached to the cover at one end which allows the handle assembly to move away from an aligned locator feature on the barrel as the cover is pushed into position. When the cover is shifted lengthwise, the handle assembly moves past the locking feature, and the locking blade pushes the handle assembly back down alongside the locking feature which then prevents reverse sliding of the cover back from under the barrel tabs. When the handle is pulled to initiate removal of the cover, the handle assembly is then moved out above the locking feature to enable the cover to be slid to the released position. An automation apparatus interacts with one form of the locking assembly to automatically install and remove the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Jessup Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Jessup
  • Patent number: 6401983
    Abstract: A bulk cargo container is disclosed for storing, transporting or processing solid or liquid bulk materials. The bulk cargo container includes a vessel suitable for containing the bulk material and a supporting frame assembly having a generally horizontally disposed support member attachment. In an exemplary embodiment, the vessel is formed of fiber reinforced plastic material and includes a container portion and a support member. The container portion is formed into at least one hopper having a discharge opening therein suitable for discharging bulk material contained within the vessel. The vessel is supported from the support member attachment via the support member so that the weight of the bulk material is carried in tension by the fiber reinforced plastic material of the vessels shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Composite Structures, Inc.
    Inventors: Harley C. McDonald, Matthew C. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6401951
    Abstract: An enclosure system for providing a visual barrier with respect to various objects, including a tank of the type used to store fuel, water and other liquid and gaseous materials. The enclosure system includes an enclosure and a lid covering the enclosure. The enclosure is attached to the tank and is made from opaque materials such as wood or dyed plastic. Vent openings are provided to prevent the accumulation of undesirable vapors, e.g., fuel vapors, that may escape from the tank and accumulate between the enclosure and the tank. An attachment mechanism is provided for supporting the enclosure in a predetermined position relative to the tank, e.g., so that the bottom of the enclosure is positioned a few inches above the surface on which the tank rests. An optional second attachment mechanism is provided for ensuring the enclosure remains so positioned relative to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Schuyler Gould
  • Patent number: 6398052
    Abstract: A bottle for storing and dispensing contents comprises at least one grip portion for improving a user's grip on the bottle. The grip portion is situated on the side of the bottle and extends at least partially along the height of the bottle and comprises a recessed grip panel formed in the side of the bottle adapted to receive the user's fingers and the grip panel is tapered at an angle with respect to the vertical direction. Preferably, the back of the bottle is thinner than the front so that a user can grip the bottle from the back. Preferably, there are a plurality of ribs inclined at a first angle with respect to the horizontal direction and a plurality of cross-hatch ribs inclined at a second angle, the second angle differing from the first at approximately ninety degrees and the ribs forming a lattice arrangement. Preferably, the bottle further comprises a plurality of ridges, situated on the side wall of the bottle for providing strength and rigidity to the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jizu John Cheng, Jeffrey D. Krich
  • Patent number: 6398057
    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 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: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Xerxes Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Berg, John Burwell, Albert F Dorris, John Smith
  • Patent number: 6397456
    Abstract: On a carriage (43) which is movable in a horizontal direction (X-direction) in an automatic component mounting machine a slide (41) is arranged which is movable vertically (in the Z-direction). The slide (41) carries a plurality of pick-up devices or pipettes (49), which by means of arms (47) are movably mounted in XY-tables attached to the slide. The XY-tables allow that the arms (47) and thus the pipettes can move, during the different movements of the carriage (43) and the slide (41), to different positions which are accurately controllable. Tee carriage can thus fetch components (51) and then have the pipettes (49) in some positions in relation to each other and then, during the displacement of the carriage to the position above a printed circuit board, the pipettes are allowed to be displaced to other positions in relation to each other, which are adapted to the intended places of the components on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Mydata Automation AB
    Inventor: Peter Roos
  • Patent number: 6398068
    Abstract: A container (10) has a tray-like bottom (11) and a cover (12). The bottom (11) has two protrusions or supporting handles (13, 14), suitable to hang the bottom on two parallel guides, located in a horizontal plane. The container has a nose or hook at its front side, for coupling another container, placed in front of it. This container (10) may be used to supply meals for passengers by using a trolley during passenger transport and avoids the necessity of a serving tray, on which the container is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: QCC B.V.B.A.
    Inventor: Laurens Gehéniau
  • Patent number: 6399014
    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 (2) produced from a web-shaped multilayer material and in the form of a sleeve, which, at one end, is connected to a bottom portion (4) and at the other end is connected to a top portion (3) produced from blow moulded thermoplastic material. The casing (2) is formed by winding of the multilayer material into sleeve form and liquid-tight sealing of the material edges to a joint seam (9) extending longitudinally of the sleeve, the top portion (3) being manufactured in that thermoplastic material is extruded to form a hose (15) which is blow moulded into continuous top portions which are separated from one another and connected to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Göran Hermodsson