Patents Examined by Madison L Wright
  • Patent number: 8302805
    Abstract: A closure has a body and a lid is molded with the body. A utensil, such as a scoop or spear, is integrally formed with the closure body, and connected to the closure body via frangible connections. The lid includes a utensil-receiving structure for releasably holding the utensil, once it is initially broken away from the closure body, such that the utensil can be attached to the closure lid for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: Corinne M. Blomdahl, Timothy M. Mazurkiewicz, John M. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 8286813
    Abstract: A device to be detachably mounted on the neck of a bottle in replacement of the bottle's screw cap, and which as mounted provides a reversible closure function by which a flow communication to the interior of the bottle is shifted between open and closing modes, the device including a mounting part (1; 1?; 1?) having an internal thread which engages an external thread formed on the bottle's neck, and a handle (7; 7?; 7?) which is journalled in the mounting part for rotation. The handle carries a head (9; 9?; 9?) which in result of rotation of the handle upwards/outwards from the bottle in a vertical plane provides access to the mouth of a canal (15; 15?; 15?) running through the mounting part, and which head further includes a seal (17; 17?; 36) which, in result of rotation of the handle downwards/inwards towards the bottle, is positioned for closing the canal through the mounting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Tore Eklund
  • Patent number: 8286817
    Abstract: A multi-section lid for a can containing edible material includes a lid base, a cover portion, and a tear strip. The lid base can attach the lid to the can. The lid base defines one or more openings that permit access to the edible material. The cover portion includes one or more doors to cover the openings. The tear strip portion is positioned between the lid base and the cover portion. The tear strip portion is connected to the lid base and the cover portion by a plurality of bridges. The mold for forming the lid includes cavities that define flow channels that permit the lid material to flow through bridge cavities to fill the cavities in the mold during formation of the lid such that the lid base, the cover portion, and the tear strip portion are the single integral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: McCormick & Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tracie Lynn Wilson, Steve Gift, Tom Coulter, Duane Sawyer
  • Patent number: 8281944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-tamper closure (1, 1?) for threaded bottles (100, 100?) comprising an outer cap (20, 20?) and an outer skirt (22, 22?) which is connected to the outer cap (20, 20?) prior to initial opening, and an inner cap (30, 30?) and an inner annular element (32, 32?) which is connected to the inner cap (30, 30?) prior to initial opening, in which the inner annular element (32, 32?) is connected to the inner cap (30, 30?) with respect to both rotation and translation by inner connection means (31, 31?) which render the inner annular element (32, 32?) free to rotate and to translate relative to the inner cap (30, 30?) after initial opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Guala Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piero Battegazzore
  • Patent number: 8281954
    Abstract: A sensory aroma glass is disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a fluid barrier; and a fluid container designed for containing a fluid. The fluid barrier is in contact with the rim or internal or external sidewall of the fluid container. The fluid barrier extends into the fluid container. The fluid barrier has an opening that allows aroma of the fluid to escape from the fluid container without allowing the fluid to escape from the fluid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: E. & J. Gallo Winery
    Inventors: Lewis Stern, Meara Kelley, Tim Ryan
  • Patent number: 8276781
    Abstract: A drinking container assembly includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall which is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The perimeter wall has an upper edge defining an opening extending into the housing. A closure is attached to and is coextensive with the upper edge. The closure is positionable in an open position extending upwardly from the upper edge or in a closed position folded downwardly over the opening. The closure has an access aperture extends their through and into the housing when the closure is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Bryon M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8267265
    Abstract: Containers with child resistant safety caps are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the cap contains (1) an overlay and (2) a solid base. The overlay fits around at least a portion of the cap's solid base. At an end of the overlay is a thumb tab for facilitating the opening and closing of the cap. The overlay also contains a skirt that is perpendicular to the thumb tab. The skirt of the overlay contains a tab. At the end of the solid base proximal to the location of the tab on the overlay (when the cap is in the closed position) the solid base contains a notch. When the cap is shut, the overlay is secured around the solid base. If an upward force is only applied to the thumb tab, and then the overlay is lifted up, while the solid base of the cap remains secured to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Giraud
  • Patent number: 8256642
    Abstract: A sippy cup assembly including a valve insert having a sheath and a stabilizing core is disclosed. The sippy cup assembly generally includes a container, a lid releasably coupled to and enclosing the container, and an annular seal for preventing liquid from leaking out of the container. The valve insert maintains form while permitting repeated removal and insertion, in addition to washing and long-term use, by providing that the stabilizing core has a rigidity greater than that of the sheath formed over the stabilizing core. The valve insert may be installed in the lid to correspond with a spout and air exchange aperture to permit egress of liquid and ingress of air upon application of suction by a user. When no suction is applied to the spout, the valve insert prevents leakage of liquid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Conor McNamara, Boris Kontorovich
  • Patent number: 8251253
    Abstract: An electrical device cover comprises a base with an opening in a back wall of the base sized to receive an electrical device and a lid coupled to the base at a first base end through a hinge, the lid pivotable between and open position and at least one closed position. The base comprises a notch on a base wall extending away from the first base end. A first lid end is hingedly coupled to the first base end such that the first lid end is selectively adjustable with respect to the base toward and away from the second base end. A lid pin extends from the lid towards the notch when the lid is in at least one closed position wherein the lid pin seats in the notch when the first lid end is selectively adjusted toward the second base end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard L. Cleghorn, Jeffrey P. Baldwin, Marcus J. Shotey, Kenneth C. Booth
  • Patent number: 8251236
    Abstract: A closure having a device for lifting a liner from a container opening. The lifting device being a finger projecting from a hinge connection within the closure. The hinge connection is positioned from a depending skirt of the closure. The hinged finger disengages the liner from a sealing engagement with the container while engaging along substantially the same annulus spaced from the liner edge. A plurality of the hinged fingers may be used for the lifting device. The closure may be used in various retort and aseptic applications, as well as provide for tamper indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Clayton L. Robinson, Randall G. Bush, William J. Shankland, Kiran M. D'Silva, Louis John Marsella, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 8245864
    Abstract: A diaper pail includes a pail, an upper enclosure having a substantially smooth and continuous outer surface, and a drum assembly mounted within the upper enclosure for transferring a soiled diaper into a disposal bag while minimizing the release of odor from previously disposed diapers already within the disposal bag. The outer surface of the upper enclosure and drum cooperate to form a smooth continuous outer surface which is easily cleaned. The drum assembly includes a flexible plastic seal received around an opening in the lower portion of the drum housing. A deck portion of the seal engages an outer surface of the drum, with the free edge of the flexible seal being movable relative to fixed edge to conform to irregularities in the outer surface of the drum. An actuator handle actuates movement of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas A. Garland
  • Patent number: 8245869
    Abstract: Provided are a packaging container for a microwave oven that excels in the sealing performance between a container body and lid, and that at heating/cooking by a microwave oven, maintains the internal pressure of the container for a given period of time to thereby enhance the taste of contents through steaming effect, and that thereafter, can spontaneously open with certainty from a steam releasing seal part; and an efficient process for manufacturing the packaging container. In the packaging container for microwave oven having a lid heat-sealed to the periphery of a flange part of container body made of a synthetic resin so as to attain hermetic sealing, at least one steam releasing seal part with a weakened part is disposed inside the peripheral seal part of the flange part at a position separate from the peripheral seal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisakazu Yasumuro, Shuuichi Nonaka, Osamu Gotou, Shie Nishimoto, Keizou Kanzaki, Kikuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8245872
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rigid or semirigid plastic part designed to form the bottom of a package whose side wall consists of a laminated film. The plastic part has a central axis and includes the following features: a peripheral welding zone designed to contact and be welded to the inside surface of the side wall; a convex inside face and a concave outside face; the inside face and the outside face each comprise a zone whose centre is on the axis and which is designed to contact a tool used to attach the part to the side wall; and a profile at least partially defined by a curve. The invention also relates to a package having a bottom consisting of the plastic part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Aisapack Holding S.A.
    Inventors: Dominique Hanot, Stéphane Mathieu
  • Patent number: 8245868
    Abstract: Lock mechanisms are provide between a first case part and a second case part, which are openable and closable. Projections are formed on an outer side surface of the first case part. Each projection has a stopper hole that extends along a circumferential direction of the outer side surfaces of the case parts. U-shaped deformable pieces are formed with the outer side surface of the second case part and each deformable piece can be deformed in a direction perpendicular to the outer side surface of the second case part. A hook portion is formed with a distal portion of each deformable piece. Guide portions are formed at an edge of an entrance of the stopper hole and guide the hook portion toward the stopper hole. Holding portions are formed at an edge of an exit of the stopper hole and hold claw portions of the hook portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Ikeda, Hirotsugu Kojima
  • Patent number: 8240500
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for securing access to an underground device such as a storage tank. A lockable blocking plate is secured to a filler cap for an underground storage tank in a manner to inhibit access to the filler cap. The locking mechanism is configured such that the lock and blocking plate may freely rotate with respect to the filler cap. The blocking plate may include a side skirt extending to cover portions of the filler cap and, optionally, portions of a standpipe and coupling for the filler cap. Free rotation is enabled by way of an annular groove in a portion of the locking mechanism, and into which groove one or more locking portions may be inserted, or by way of a freely moving swivel boss attached to the filler cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Dalton, Jr., Matthew R. Greiner
  • Patent number: 8240504
    Abstract: A canister includes a closure coupled to a container to close a mouth opening into an interior region formed in the container. The closure includes a lid having a plate and a rim extending around the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond J. Fallen
  • Patent number: 8240491
    Abstract: A child-resistant canister includes a container and a closure configured to mount on the container to close an opening into an interior region formed in the container. The closure includes a lid and a lid anchor coupled to the lid. The lid anchor is configured to mate with a closure retainer included in the container to retain the closure in a mounted position on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: W. Gordon Beecroft, Chad E. Rice, Duane C. Sawyer, John A. Vassallo
  • Patent number: 8235235
    Abstract: A breakaway-protective limit switch cover is provided that includes a main plate, a pair of support arms attached to the main plate, and a magnet attached to each support arm. The breakaway-protective-limit switch cover attaches, via the magnets, to a conveyor track of a power conveyor system and becomes dislodged upon impact from an external force strong enough to overcome the magnetic force of the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodger D. Lusch
  • Patent number: 8235233
    Abstract: A container for over-the-counter drugs or the like that includes a cylindrical plastic bottle with a closure. The closure including a cap and a ring that mates with the mouth of the bottle. The cap ring has a tongue that mates with a capture structure on the cap in a child resistant configuration. The tongue being lockable by a pad lock to block access by unwanted adults and teenagers. The tongue having a senior friendly configuration also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Harold T. Pehr
  • Patent number: 8231002
    Abstract: A containment device includes a base, vertical walls extending from the base and an open end for accepting the mailpieces therein. The containment device, furthermore, has a slot formed in at least one of the vertical walls thereof. The containment device also includes a recess extending on an underside of the base between the vertical walls; a lip extending outward from an edge of the vertical walls; detents provided in the lip of opposing vertical walls of the vertical walls; and protrusions extending beyond the base and structured and adapted to mate with detents of a lower container in a stacked configuration of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Denis J. Stemmle