Patents Examined by Kenneth W. Noland
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Patent number: 6557727Abstract: A lug nut dispenser including a housing having an interior wall defining an elongate chamber for receiving lug nuts therein, an exterior wall, an upstream end for releasably receiving a drive impact tool, and a downstream end defining a port communicating with the chamber for permitting consecutive release and ejection of the lug nuts therethrough. A displacer ring is carried on the exterior walls of the housing and slides relative thereto. A displacer is connected to the ring and extends through a slot defined by and extending through the housing into the chamber. The displacer slides along the slot for moving the nuts downstream. The displacer includes a shoulder for engaging a nut positioned in the chamber for permitting sequential, axially-aligned movement of the nuts through the chamber. There are also at least two spaced-apart, flexible detent arms. Each arm has first and second ends. The second end includes a tip and is moveable between nut-retaining and nut-dispensing positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Inventor: Warren A. Robertson
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Patent number: 6557725Abstract: An article discharging device having a main body (1) with an opening (1a) which is provided in a front side, comprising: a container (2) for containing and holding an article therein, which comprises a front wall (2b) at least a portion of which is transparent and an article entrance (8) formed in an upper side, wherein the container (2) is able to close the opening and the article held in the container can be viewed through the transparent portion of the front wall in a closed state, and the container can be rotated reciprocally around a predetermined axis (2a), to take the closed state or an article entrance exposed state.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.Inventor: Akira Tomioka
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Patent number: 6557723Abstract: A hangable storing box includes first and second housing halves defining an inner space therebetween, and a limiting plate disposed between the first and second housing halves and separating the inner space into front and rear spaces. A hook member projects from a rear wall of the first housing half for holding a stack of seamed plastic bags. The limiting plate has a bottom end spaced apart from bottom walls of the first and second housing halves to define thereamong a gap so as to permit the plastic bags to extend downwardly from the hook member through the rear space and the gap and then turn around the bottom end of the limiting plate to extend upwardly into the front space.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Bobson Hygiene International Inc.Inventor: Cheng-Chang Chen
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Patent number: 6554158Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing rolled sheet materials from a roll. The apparatus includes a roll of sheet material and a feed mechanism for incrementally feeding lengths of sheet material from the roll to a dispensing position. The feed mechanism includes a user manipulable means for engagement by the user and a drive roller operably connected to the user manipulable means. The drive roller is maintained in continuous contact with the outer circumference of the roll. Upon operation of the user manipulable means by the user, the drive roller frictionally engages and drives the roll rotationally about the axis of the roll. This causes the incremental feeding of the sheet material by unwinding the sheet material from the roll.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David Wayne Kapiloff, Adrian John Trevisan
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Patent number: 6554156Abstract: A cleaning wipes dispenser that enables consumers to consistently remove individual wipes without having the remaining wipes fall back into the dispenser and with minimum loss of liquid solution is disclosed. The dispenser includes: (i) a container having an interior for storing the cleaning wipes wherein the wipes comprise a web of material; and (ii) a dispensing port having a body that is attached to the container and that has an opening through which the web of material is threaded, wherein the opening defines at least two nodes that are in communication with each other by an open channel, wherein each node has at least two appendages projecting therefrom, wherein the open channel and appendages define a plurality of edges that frictionally engage the web during separation of a sheet of material from a remaining portion of web of material and wherein the opening is dimensioned so that following detachment of the sheet, a remaining fragment of web of material remains threaded through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: The Clorox CompanyInventor: Dick Chong
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Patent number: 6554157Abstract: An object counting and dispensing system includes a vibration system, a mounting assembly for coupling a cassette to the vibration system, a chute configured to receive discrete objects from the cassette, and an object sensing system which senses and counts objects fed from the cassette. Each cassette includes a base and a stepped side wall which together define a central open reservoir portion and a peripheral covered tray portion. Cassettes are mounted to the mounting assembly in manner which permits rapid and secure coupling and decoupling. A preferred coupling and decoupling system includes an electromagnet. Each cassette is able to feed and guide a range of sizes and shapes of tablets toward the exit. Only a few standard sizes of cassettes are needed to accommodate all discrete objects, e.g., tablets and capsules, for which the counter is adapted. A universal hopper can be attached to the mounting assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Kirby-Lester, Inc.Inventors: Aleksandr Geltser, Vladimir Gershman
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Patent number: 6550639Abstract: Methods and systems for inducing an electric charge in a cleaning sheet for cleaning and removing particles from a surface are disclosed. The systems include a cleaning sheet for collecting and retaining the particles and a charging surface configured to frictionally engage the sheet. The cleaning sheets typically have a basis weight of at least about 30 g/m2. The system may include a container for housing and dispensing the cleaning sheet. When the sheet is passed across the charging surface, the electrical charge in the sheet is generally increased by at least about 500 V. Methods of and kits for cleaning surfaces and collecting and retaining debris are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Colin W. Brown, Robert D. Iverson
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Patent number: 6550633Abstract: The invention relates to a plurality of wipes, separable joined together. Each wipe of the plurality of wipes is moistened with a liquid in an amount of about 25 percent to about 600 percent of a dry weight of the wipe. An adhesive joins together at least two wipes of the plurality of wipes. The adhesive joins the at least two wipes together with an adhesion strength per unit adhesive length greater than 0 g/cm and less than about 200 g/cm. Alternately or additionally, the adhesive joins the at least two wipes together with an adhesion strength per unit adhesive area greater than 0 g/cm2 and less than about 1000 g/cm2.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang, Jennifer Cappel Larson, Gerald Keith Sosalla, John C. Taylor, Stephen Michael Campbell, Stephen Robert Kehn, Chinmay Suresh Betrabet
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Patent number: 6550632Abstract: A vending apparatus for dispensing pre-cooked pizzas (P) packaged inside corresponding sealed containers (E). The apparatus comprises a casing (1) containing a plurality of operating assemblies (7, 13, 17, 25, 31, 37) for picking up a pizza (P) from a refrigerated storage unit (5) and transferring it, after taking it out of its container (E), to an electric heating oven (30), and then to a delivery mouth (34), in a corresponding disposable tray (T).Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Top Vending SrLInventors: Amulio Gubbini, Giovanni Demaggio
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Patent number: 6547095Abstract: A coupon dispensing and containing device for use as a sweepstake's box that includes an outer box having at least one coupon-dispensing opening and at least one inner box affixed within the outer box, each of the at least one inner boxes containing coupons and having a coupon-exit opening aligned with a coupon-dispensing opening in the outer box.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: Michael J. Emoff
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Patent number: 6543638Abstract: A method and means of dispensing T-shirt type plastic bags from a rack mounted beneath a counter from a tray which slides horizontally into an existing industry standard rack which interlocks with the rack but when needed for loading, can be pulled forward, tilted downward, and loaded with bags and slid back into the rack, where it will align, hold and dispense bags. Optionally, a new frame can be mounted under the counter and a second tray (similar to the first tray) is held within the same frame so that it can hold two different size bags, allowing one frame to dispense two different size bags. Alternatively, a frame can be made to hold only one tray if space is limited. In all three forms the horizontal tray slides forward and tilts downward to receive pads of plastic bags. Only the T-shirt handles and the upper half of the bags are contained within the frame or rack. The lower half of the bags drape over and downward from the front of the rack.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Inventor: Richard Wile
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Patent number: 6543643Abstract: Provided is a sheet package including a stack of sheets having a plurality of sheets folded about fold lines and arranged in a vertically stacked configuration, and a receptacle for containing the stack of sheets which is made of hard or soft material and has a dispensing opening in a top surface thereof. The stack of sheets includes an upper layer of a plurality of sheets located in the vicinity of the dispensing opening, and a lower layer of a plurality of sheets located under the upper layer. The width of the upper layer is smaller than that of the lower layer in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines of the sheets.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Uni-Charm CorporationInventors: Yukiko Iida, Hiroki Ishikawa
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Patent number: 6540100Abstract: A mobile vending machine for transporting and vending a number of products. The mobile vending machine includes a storage compartment for storing the products, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the products, and a drive mechanism. The storage compartment is positioned about the drive mechanism for movement therewith.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: William S. Credle, Jr., John P. Giles, James Michael Watson
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Patent number: 6540103Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing new diapers and disposing of used diapers. The apparatus comprises a container having a base, a plurality of outer walls, an enclosed area, and a partition wall. The partition wall divides container into a diaper compartment for storing new diapers, and a waste compartment for storing used diapers. One of the outer walls includes a slot extending to the diaper compartment. The slot is for dispensing of individual diapers. An outer lid can be positioned over the container to enclose both of the diaper compartment and the waste compartment. An inner lid is provided inside the container covering the diaper compartment to prevent odor from permeating diapers in the diaper compartment. A wipe receptacle is mounted to the container adjacent the diaper slot. The wipe receptacle is adapted to contain wet baby wipes in a convenient location for use during diaper changes.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Brian Silvers
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Patent number: 6540102Abstract: An apparatus and method for article dispensing includes an article bay for holding a plurality of articles, and a conveying mechanism below the article bay operable to move an article. The conveying mechanism can repeat such movement for succeeding articles to a dispensing location. Succeeding articles can optionally be placed on top of the articles directly on the conveying mechanism. The succeeding articles are retained until they move by gravity to the conveying mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Inland Finance CompanyInventors: Anthony M. Gates, Gary L. Walke
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Patent number: 6540101Abstract: A tablet dispensing and packaging system comprises a safety cutter having a cam disk, a cam shaft eccentric to the disk, an upper support rod, upper and lower blades each having a cutting edge. The lower rod rear end is rotatably carried on the cam shaft, the upper rod has a substantially elongated through-opening near the rear end thereof. A protrusion extends from the upper rod rear end. The through-opening is worn on the cam shaft over the lower support rod, wherein the upper blade rear end is rotatably engaged to the upper rod front end. A pin pivotably carries thereon the lower blade rear end and mid rear portion adjacent to its rear end into a frame. An elastic member elastically administers the cam shaft and the rear end protrusion of the upper support rod.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Jun H. Kim
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Patent number: 6536623Abstract: An improvement in the design of gumball dispensing mechanisms is described, and, more specifically, resides in the size and shape of the gumball dispensing openings formed through the dispensing wheel. In one embodiment, the openings are generally arcuate shaped, and in another embodiment they are generally “peanut” shaped. In either case, the openings are designed to dispense two large gumballs, relatively jam-free, for each use of the gumball machine by a customer.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Inventor: James Gregory Sutcliffe
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Patent number: 6536581Abstract: An apparatus for rotating elongated members of rectangular cross section, such as board lumber, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of conveyors arranged so that the boards will cascade from the end of one conveyor onto the other conveyor by force of gravity, rotating in the process. A dampening mechanism to reduce the impact caused by the fall is also disclosed. The dampening mechanism allows the members to be delicately balanced on any side. After an inspection, the boards are turned again to position them for final processing. This second rotation is performed by halting the leading edge ofthe boards, at either the top or bottom, and propelling the opposite edge forward with a rubber wheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Hunt, Guilliot & Associates, L.L.C.Inventors: Herbert G. Tull, III, Colin Godfrey
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Patent number: 6536625Abstract: A machine and method for vending products perform the operational steps of storing a multiplicity of products in a plurality of vertical columns thereof that are organized in a circular row wherein the products in each vertical column are disposed one above another and can feed downward due to the influence of the force of gravity, incrementally rotating the plurality of vertical columns of products simultaneously about a circular path wherein lowermost ones of the products in the vertical columns thereof one at a time per revolution advance and cross over an inlet opening to a dispensing path, and dispensing the lowermost ones of the products of the vertical columns thereof through the inlet opening by use of a separation fixture that prevents products from dropping directly into the inlet opening from the vertical columns when aligned above the inlet opening while letting products drop into a lowermost circular row thereof located below the columns and from the lowermost circular row one at a time through tType: GrantFiled: April 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Inventor: Kil Jae Chang
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Patent number: 6536624Abstract: Dispensable sheet material includes opposite side edges spaced apart from one another to define the overall width of the sheet material. Zones of weakness are spaced along the sheet material. Adjacent zones of weakness are spaced apart by a distance of from about 50% to about 200% of the overall width of the sheet material to divide the sheet material into a plurality of sheet material segments. Each of the zones of weakness comprises a plurality of perforations and frangible sheet material portions. Each of the frangible sheet material portions has a width of from about 0.3 mm to about 1.8 mm. The total width of the frangible sheet portions in each zone of weakness is from about 10% to about 30% of the overall width of the sheet material. The sheet material has an elasticity in the dispensing direction of from about 4% to about 20%. The sheet material has a dry tensile strength in the dispensing direction of from about 4,000 grams per 3 inches of width to about 12,000 grams per 3 inches of width.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Fort James CorporationInventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody