Patents Examined by Marie Denise Patterson
  • Patent number: 5507391
    Abstract: A hollow circular container or housing unit, for holding different sized units containing cosmetics and other personal care items. The unit is made of transparent molded plastic and has a removable top. The container is molded with an inwardly facing, thin-walled supporting lip which extends along the inner walls near the top of the container where the top rests. A three armed rotating carriage with free spinning wheels at the end of each arm is held in place by a center post at the bottom of the container. The carriage rotates in place on center post which is located on the bottom of the container. A circular plate rests and revolves on the three-armed carriage. The housing of the container includes a molded opening in order to place cosmetics on the revolving plate. The recessed corner molding connecting circular wall to bottom of housing enclosure fits snugly into the bevelled top rim to create interlocking parts which allows the containers to be stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Francis C. Rollins
  • Patent number: 5505305
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an easy-to-use and effective magnetically resealable moisture-proof pouch containing moisture-curable orthopedic splinting/casting product in bulk form or in individually packaged rolls. The preferred pouch incorporates a frame disposed about an opening into the pouch which provides a mounting place for a moisture-proof magnetic seal. Also disclosed are containers for the preferred pouches which are adapted for use with the magnetic sealing system according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Scholz, Patricia A. Eull, Jason L. Edgar, Gerald E. Drake, Barry J. Novak, Dennis C. Bartizal, Anthony J. Campagna
  • Patent number: 5505012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a directionally yieldable cleat assembly attached to an athletic shoe having an upper and a sole with a longitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced cleats are mounted to the sole so that the cleats protrude outwardly from the bottom of the sole. In one embodiment, a bumper is provided between the cleat and the sole for enabling a greater magnitude of deformation or deflection of the cleat in response to a predetermined lateral force imposed upon the cleat in a first laterally inward direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shoe than the deformation or deflection of the cleat in response to the same predetermined force imposed on the cleat in direction other than the first lateral direction. Deflection of the cleat is also minimized or eliminated in response to forces imposed on the cleats in a parallel direction to the longitudinal axis of the sole to ensure that traction for the shoe is uncompromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Andrew S. Walker
    Inventors: Andrew S. Walker, Elwyn Gooding
  • Patent number: 5502901
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an outsole with a cavity in the heel region in which a cushioning insert is installed to cushion impacts and provide added lift to the wearer. The heel region of the outsole projects outwardly beyond the periphery of the heel region of the shoe upper to form a projecting peripheral rim. The cavity has an upper wall and a lower wall and a plurality of springs extend between the upper and lower walls at spaced intervals around the peripheral rim. Opposing magnets are mounted in the upper and lower walls in a central region of the cavity with their like poles facing one another to provide a magnetic biassing force which augments the spring load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Brown
  • Patent number: 5501337
    Abstract: Applicant has invented a container for the tablets which contains a plurality of slots arranged in a radial fashion around the center of the container. Each of the slots are configured to accept at least one such frangible tablet. Each tablet is held within the slot and the tablet is constrained within the slot to move solely within the slot. The container contains a bottom and a lid. The bottom and the lid form constraining ends of the slots. The lid contains an opening which may be aligned with any one of the plurality of slots to provide an opening to the container and the ability to remove the tablet from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry S. Sowden
  • Patent number: 5501327
    Abstract: A compact disc holder for a conventional jewel box has a unitary body and a closure plate. The unitary body has a chamber with a planar top for the jewel box and an attached tab. The tab has a ridge which rises out of the plane of the tab and is angled towards the planar top of the chamber. The ridged tab renders the compact disc holder resistant to folding and facilitates proper placement of the compact disc holder in a display box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: D. Sherman Cox
  • Patent number: 5501335
    Abstract: A basket-style carrier which exposes major portions of packaged articles to view. Short inwardly tapered side panels are connected by integral flexible bands which encircle the end articles in the carrier. A handle may connect opposite flexible bands or may be incorporated in a handle panel extending up through an opening in the bottom panel of the carrier. A transverse base panel connected to the handle panel contacts the bottom panel in face-to-face relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5497878
    Abstract: Work surface extensions for tool storage units comprising a horizontally disposed housing adapted to be located between a pair of tool boxes, the housing being of a rectangular configuration positionable in a generally horizontal plane with a periphery generally corresponding to the periphery of adjacent tool boxes above and below, a pair of apertures, one on each side of the housing, the apertures being located at varying elevations with respect to each other, with a chamber formed within the housing and being accessible through the apertures and a pair of reciprocable members, the reciprocable members being of a planar configuration in the form of rectangles, each of the members being positioned through one of the apertures, each of the members having a first work surface on one side and a second work surface on the other side, each reciprocable member movable in a generally horizontal plane between an extended orientation wherein the majority of the work surface is exterior of the housing extending through
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventor: Henry L. Sandonato
  • Patent number: 5497564
    Abstract: A shoe construction employs straps formed of plastic material whereby separate areas of the shoe straps have different characteristics of elasticity, flexibility and rigidity. The construction of the strap provides areas connected to the shoe with greater elasticity and flexibility characteristics and a lesser rigidity characteristic than a second area of the strap that has greater rigidity characteristics and is connected to closure members of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Converse Inc.
    Inventors: Bernie Allen, Joel Rusnak, Aaron Azevedo, Neal Kimball
  • Patent number: 5494165
    Abstract: A container body portion with airtight defining walls and an open end is associated with a lid having airtight engagement with the open end. A tube projects through the lid in an airtight fit and communicates with the interior of the container. An outer open end of the tube is capable of connection to a source of vacuum. The lid has a sharpened projection that can be engaged by the end of the tube in a forced fit to provide a sealed atmosphere for the container. The container may be a body portion with self supporting airtight walls or it may comprise an airtight bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Robert P. Detrick
  • Patent number: 5494154
    Abstract: An elongated, folded paper package for containing surgical suture material and needles. The package includes folding panels which cover and protect the suture material, winding pin holes to assist in winding suture material, a foam block to hold the needles securely, one slit to hold the package closed and additional slits for ease of opening the package to expose the needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Look Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary Ainsworth, Brian K. Gourley
  • Patent number: 5493794
    Abstract: A combination snowshoe and binding, wherein the binding cooperates upon the snowshoe, for evenly distributing a user's weight thereupon. The binding includes an outboard half and an inboard half, the outboard half being horizontally movable upon the inboard half, in a slidable manner. The outboard half remains loosely coupled upon a pivoting member and moves freely in a horizontal direction, to accommodate the foot widths of a variety of users. The inboard half remains stationary, while in use, but can loosened, and adjusted in a horizontal direction. By moving the inboard half to a desired adjustment position, a proper positioning for evenly distributing a user's weight upon the snowshoe can be achieved. The snowshoe further includes an asymmetric frame member for allowing a user to walk with a normal stride upon a snowy surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventors: Mary M. McKenzie, Sally Edwards
  • Patent number: 5490595
    Abstract: A bundle-of-electric wire container can contain a bundle of electric wire P wound in a loop shape and permit drawing out of the electric wire. Containers can be stacked in a plurality of stages to increase storage efficiency and conveyance efficiency. A bundle-of-electric wire containing space is formed between core pieces and an outer cylinder, and the bundle of electric wire is protected by the outer cylinder. The container is used as one unit for the storage of a bundle of electric wire and to the feeding of the electric wire P through a conveyance. Accordingly, in the manufacturing field of a wiring harness, the bundle of electric wire can be stored and conveyed without losing its shape, for example, and done so efficiently. It is possible to improve the operating efficiency of a manufacturing line by preventing the electric wire from being tangled, for example, at the time of feeding the electric wire as well as to prevent an inferior product from being manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Sakai, Akio Shirata
  • Patent number: 5487463
    Abstract: A bottle neck carrier and a spaced band encircling the bottles. The band snugly holds the bottles in place while they are supported by the carrier and at the same time covers the pricing code on the bottles. The support panel of the carrier may be separate from the band or attached to it. The support panel may be formed from two layers of material, and in the embodiment where the support panel is attached to the band, each layer is connected to the band along fold lines. Side panels connect the support panel layers to the band in the latter arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5485688
    Abstract: Lever, particularly usable in ski boots of the type including a shell with which at least one quarter is associated, including a freely movable lever arm and a support which is associated with the quarter. The lever arm and the support have at least one seat for guiding at least two cables which are connected, at their ends, respectively to the quarter or to the shell and to the support. The two traction elements connect the lever arm to the support in a hinge-like manner, so as to give the lever arm the required orientation in open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Nordica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Gorza, Luca Gallina, Pino Tessari
  • Patent number: 5483760
    Abstract: A hard plate of spike shoes for track races comprises a plurality of small projections or small holes on an anterior forefoot portion in at least half the forefoot portion, and a plurality of large projections greater than said small projections or small holes on a posterior forefoot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: ASICS Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kataoka, Masanobu Inohara, Ryuichi Tsukita, Toshio Suma, Kiyohiro Saito
  • Patent number: 5484053
    Abstract: A carrier with both a bottom panel and an upper panel containing openings through which the necks of packaged bottles extend. The upper panel is comprised of adjacent sections foldably connected to a central handle panel and to an intermediate panel. The latter panel also contains bottle openings and is foldably connected to a central vertical support panel. The arrangement permits loading by placing bottles on the bottom panel and pushing down on the handle panel, which causes the upper panel sections to pivot down over the bottles. Support tabs may surround the bottle openings in the upper panel to engage shoulders on the bottle necks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Riverwood International Corporation
    Inventor: Randall L. Harris
  • Patent number: 5483759
    Abstract: A shoe or other product adapted to emit light, sound, or other energy or radiation is disclosed. Embodiments of the shoes may contain switches depressed only when subjected to the momentum of or pressure from a moveable object such as a rotating ball. The ball and switches may additionally be encapsulated in a housing with a window visible outside the shoe, permitting wearers and others to view the switching being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Genesco Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey N. Silverman
  • Patent number: 5481814
    Abstract: A shoe upper is divided into front and back parts which are hinged together at the shoe sole. The hinge may comprise a creased part of the sole or a mechanical hinge. The parts are held in either an open position or a closed position by a tension spring or a rigid element. The spring and element are pivotally secured to the shoe sole so that their longitudinal axis will be above and extend across the rotational axis of the hinge when the shoe is flat. Additionally, the distance between their points of connection will be less than the corresponding length of sole between said points. This will provide a low stress open position and a higher stress closed position. The stress is created by tension in the spring or by the inherent resilience of the shoe sole counteracting the compression force caused by drawing together the points of connection when a user steps into the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: Robert A. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5477966
    Abstract: A packing device for semiconductor devices with lead terminals includes a packing box, partitions for separating a space in the packing box, and a cover. A conductive sponge used as a cushioned packing material is attached to the back surface of the cover. The semiconductor devices are placed in the packing box 3 with the lead terminals 2 facing upwardly. In this packed state, the conductive sponge is pressed against the lead terminals to collectively hold the semiconductor devices securely in the box. Thus, short-circuitting of the lead terminals is made to prevent gate of the semiconductor devices from breaking down as a result of electrostatic voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shogo Ogawa