Patents Examined by Nova Stucker
  • Patent number: 5203465
    Abstract: A lid for a cooking utensil comprising a valve-containing knob 2 rotatably supported on the lid 1. The lid 1 has a hole 3 therethrough. The valve-containing knob 2 has a venting outlet 4 which can be selectively aligned with the hole 3 in the lid 1. In order to be able to guarantee a vented position, a whistle position and also a closed position being attained utilizing a simple and reliable design of the valve-containing knob, the invention provides that the valve-containing knob 2 is supported on a central support element fastened on the lid 1 and is initially tensioned against the lid 1 by means of a initial tensioning element 5, and that the valve-containing knob 2 has a whistle opening 6 adapted to be arranged in alignment with the hole 3 in the lid 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Heinrich Baumgarten KG Spezialfabrik fuer Beschlagteile
    Inventor: Gerd D. Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 5203467
    Abstract: A protective cap having a sealable cover for canned soft drinks and the like is disclosed. The cap comprises an outer periphery configured to receive and snap over a conventional beverage can such that a gas-tight seal is formed, a grate positioned to cover the opening in the top of the can through which the beverage may be consumed, and a hingeable cover having a seal which can be rotated between opened and closed positions to permit consumption of the beverage when in the open position and to seal the container when in the closed position. The sealing of the container prevents contamination of the enclosed beverage and seals in carbonation. It also prevents spillage if the container is overturned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: Terence Tucker
  • Patent number: 5203466
    Abstract: A fuel cap 1 for controlling the pressure within a fuel tank which has improved sealing properties between a valve member 43 of a pressure control valve 41 and a seat surface 35. The pressure control valve 41 opens and closes a flow path hole 33 in a cap body 5 so as to control the pressure within the fuel tank. In this pressure control valve, the valve member 43 is seated on the seat surface 35 in accordance with the force of a spring 71 and the pressure within the fuel tank. The valve member has a disk portion 49 which is flexed when the valve member receives a large pressure in a valve closing direction. An outer lip 57 and an inner lip 58 are formed on the disk portion 49. The outer lip 57 is seated on the seat surface 35 when the pressure within the fuel tank reaches a predetermined pressure. When the pressure increases further, the disk portion 49 is flexed, so that the inner lip 58 is also seated on the seat surface 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joji Kasugai, Norikazu Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 5199591
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a resealable flip-top beverage can having a rotatable sealing top mounted above the can top of the beverage can, and the sealing top is rotated into a first position to open a hole in the top of the beverage can and through which the contents of the can are dispensed, and is rotated into a second position where the sealing top reseals the hole. Sealing means are provided on the top of the can top and on the underside of the sealing top that cooperate to prevent beverage from getting between the can top and the sealing top when the can is opened, preventing matter from entering the can when it is resealed, and holding carbonation in said can when it is resealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Preferred Cantop Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Thibeault, Deborah M. Thibeault
  • Patent number: 5197624
    Abstract: A cup lid for use with a beverage cup comprising a peripheral flange to fit over a cup rim and a central portion containing a reclosable access closure flap selectively movable between an open and closed position having a pull tab formed on one end portion thereof and a hinge formed on the opposite end portion thereof and a first retainer element such that when the reclosable access closure flap is moved from the closed position to the open position the reclosable access closure flap engages the first retainer element to releasably retain the reclosable access closure flap in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: M&N Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Dodaro
  • Patent number: 5195646
    Abstract: A radiator cap cover that engages a radiator cap to deflect steaming radiator coolant downward and away from a user during overheating of a radiator and unscrewing of the radiator cap is disclosed. Gripping structure conforming to the fingers of a user's hand is provided on the top of the radiator cap cover to aid in unscrewing the radiator cap. Flexible tabs along the interior wall of the radiator cap cover engage the radiator cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Ricky L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5193708
    Abstract: A lid for covering and enclosing the mouth of a refuse container which includes a lid panel for covering and enclosing the mouth of the container. Hinges are integrally-formed with the lid panel for being received on a handle bar carried by the container adjacent the opening of the container. The hinges include first and second laterally spaced-apart hinges extending outwardly from the perimeter of the lid panel for being received on adjacent opposing ends of the handle bar. Each of the hinges include first and second opposed hinge claws defining an opening therebetween. The opening is sized to receive the handle of the container therein by means of a snap fit. Retainers are provided for retaining the hinges on the handle. The lid is constructed of thermoplastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventors: J. Timothy Prout, Ronald K. Raboin
  • Patent number: 5193706
    Abstract: A utility box (10) includes a base portion (13) and a cover portion (11) attached thereto as by hinges (12). The cover portion (11) includes a downwardly directed skirt (17) and the upper end of the base portion (13) is provided with a complementary skirt (27). At least one latch assembly (28) is recessed within the complementary skirts (17, 27) and includes a latch handle (30) having an outer contour matching the complementary skirts (17, 27). A lock receiving area (52) is also recessed within the complementary skirts (17, 27). Side handles (62) are formed in the base portion (13) and recessed beneath the cover portion (11). A top handle (66) is provided within a recess (67) in the top surface (14) of cover portion (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hanna, Keith E. Brightbill
  • Patent number: 5193704
    Abstract: An end closure assembly for a dispensing container and the method of assembly. A cover mounted on the container includes a central opening and a radially spaced dispensing passageway. A rotor overlies the cover and is rotatable about a central, generally columnar, hub positioned within a central orifice of the rotor such that a dispensing passageway through the rotor can be rotated into and out of registry with the cover dispensing passageway to thereby open and close the container. The hub includes an annular, radially outward extending flange which overlies the rotor and holds the rotor against the cover. An annular gripping lip integral with the cover permits downward insertion of the hub into the cover orifice during assembly yet inhibits removal of the hub after assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: James Kick
  • Patent number: 5191993
    Abstract: A cylindrical vessel is closed at its end by a cover. To facilitate opening, the cover is tiltably mounted at its sides on supporting blocks. By means of spindles, the two supporting blocks can be raised and lowered. At least one swivel arm is tiltably articulated to the vessel closure and tiltably as well as slideably articulated to the vessel, in such a manner that upon raising of the cover, the latter is at the same time tilted back away from the exposed vessel opening to improve access to the interior of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Xorella AG
    Inventors: Freddy Wanger, Marcel Refer, Rainer Schneckenburger
  • Patent number: 5190149
    Abstract: A tear tab closure for forming an opening in a container end wall, in which the tear tab remains external of the container and captive thereon when it is opened, and further wherein the tear tab is constructed so that there are no recesses for collecting foreign matter. The tear tab is separable from the container end wall along a frangible score line to form the opening, and an actuating tab is attached to the end wall adjacent the tear tab to engage the tear tab and lift it relative to the end wall to fracture the score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Arthur A. Krause
  • Patent number: 5190177
    Abstract: A screw closure is associated with a container mouth and is defined by a metal closure body having a closure panel and a peripheral skirt which extends to an inwardly and upwardly directed curl terminating in a free edge. An annular shoulder of the peripheral skirt cooperates with the curl to captively retain therebetween an upper portion of a plastic security ring joined to a lower portion by a line of weakening with the lower security ring portion being prevented from rotating relative to an associated container neck. The terminal end of the curl is seated in a recess of the security ring upper portion in deforming engagement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: CMB Foodcan plc
    Inventor: Malcolm G. Collins
  • Patent number: 5190181
    Abstract: A cap-type container has a tube stub formed directly from sheet metal of the container cover and from which the opening can be shaped. The tube stub is externally threaded and cooperates with a cap provided with a sealing ring engaging an annular surface of the tube stub. The latter can be double walled and a reinforcing ring inserted between the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Bernd Budenbender
  • Patent number: 5188250
    Abstract: A one-piece soft plastic bottle includes a generally cylindrical bottom portion and a tapered upper portion having a flexible tapered bellows at an upper end thereof. A short tapered top tapers outwardly and upwardly from the tapered bellows and includes a top end with a small aperture therein. A closure for the central aperture extends above the top end and is broken away by the user to expose the central aperture. The closure includes a cylindrical extension and large wings extending laterally and downwardly therefrom. Extending from the cylindrical extension is a filling tube which is crimped after filling to close the filling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Kovacic, Richard H. Kaufman, Martin M. Bostwick, Donald C. Crescenzi, William H. Valls, Thomas Bucaccio
  • Patent number: 5188251
    Abstract: A child resistant reminder closure comprising an outer closure member having a base wall and a peripheral skirt, an inner closure member having a base wall and a peripheral skirt with a bead on the outer closure member retaining the inner closure member for limited axial outward movement relative to the outer closure member. An indicator or a day disk is provided on the outer surface of the inner closure member and is rotatable relative to the outer and inner closure members. A first set of flexible radial ratcheting fingers extend radially from the indicator disk and engage radial lugs on the undersurface of the base wall of the outer closure member. A second set of flexible radial ratcheting fingers extend radially from the indicator disk and engage circumferentially spaced lugs on the upper surface of the inner closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Maximillian Kusz
  • Patent number: 5186349
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for joining a lid of a box with a fixed member and allowing the lid to pivot relative to the fixed member includes a rod and a guiding member which guides the movement of the rod. The rod is secured to the lid. The guiding member is secured to the fixed member which is fixed relative to the box. The lid is placed on a substantially horizontal top hem portion of the box and has a lower peripheral edge portion thereof which is in contact with the top hem portion and located near the fixed member and serves as a fulcrum of the pivotal movement of the lid. The guiding member has an envelope portion thereof for defining an enclosed space for receiving the rod therein. The enclosed space is so sized as to allow the rod to slide smoothly therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5186346
    Abstract: A container (10) particularly for shampoo or shower gel having a cap (22) which removably covers a dispensing outlet (20) at one end (12) of the container. The cap is provided with a hook (34) which is movable from a first position in which it lies along or below the surface of the cap and a second position in which it projects from the cap surface. In use the cap is fitted to the bottom (24) of the container and with the hook in the second position the container can be suspended upside down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Cussons (International) Limited
    Inventor: John H. Calvert
  • Patent number: 5186347
    Abstract: A spill-proof closure for containers used in dispensing liquid beverages. The closure has a spout containing a thin membrane at or near the upper end. The thin membrane includes a through slit which remains closed except when external suction is applied during normal drinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventors: Mark A. Freeman, Timothy K. Stringer
  • Patent number: 5184739
    Abstract: A child resistant reminder closure comprising an outer closure member having a base wall and a peripheral skirt, an inner closure member having a base wall and a peripheral skirt with a bead on the outer closure member retaining the inner closure member against limited axial outward movement relative to the outer closure member. An assembly of a day disk and an indexing disk is provided in the outer closure member and is rotatable relative thereto. A first set of flexible radial ratcheting fingers extend radially from the day disk and engage radial lugs on the undersurface of the base wall of the outer closure member. A second set of flexible radial ratcheting fingers extend radially from the day disk and engage circumferentially spaced lugs on the upper surface of the indexing disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Maximillian Kusz
  • Patent number: 5184742
    Abstract: A deadender cap that is designed to be screwed into a standard medical Luer male thread connection to dead end that connection. The deadender cap is a one-piece molded construction having an internal tapered projection that fits within the open passages of the male Luer connection a predetermined distance when the deadender cap is tightened into position, thus liquid within the open passage is forced outwardly and then as the deadender cap is tightened and no air bubbles are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: BOC Health Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. DeCaprio, Stephen E. Rados