Patents Examined by Robert Stodola
  • Patent number: 9534695
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of multi-position valves, such as for drinking from a portable fluid container. Disclosed valves allow for manual actuation of the valve between three or more positions, including a closed position, a selectively open position where a user can obtain fluid through the valve by selectively actuating a bite valve, and a fully open position where the bite valve is disengaged to permit free flow of fluid through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TSI Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Matt Hoskins
  • Patent number: 9528751
    Abstract: A structure includes an upstanding wall that has a first surface that is located at the exterior of the upstanding wall and a second surface that is located at the interior of the upstanding wall. A free edge of the upstanding wall joins the first surface and the second surface of the upstanding wall. A storage assembly is supported at the free edge of the upstanding wall. The storage assembly includes at least one of a first storage unit that is located at the exterior surface of the upstanding wall and a second storage unit that is located at the interior surface of the upstanding wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Terry Lynn Sexton, Jason Lee Purucker
  • Patent number: 9512558
    Abstract: An amusement system and method for adding an element of playfulness to placing used/soiled clothing within a hamper or other clothing container. A non-motorized mechanical flapper mechanism is rotationally coupled to an opening of a clothing hamper. The flapper mechanism is biased into a reception mode such that placement of soiled clothing on a target panel rotates the target panel to deposit the clothing into the hamper and the biasing mechanism returns the target panel to the reception mode automatically after deposit. An F/X module may be used to add effects to the transitions of the target panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Eckerman
  • Patent number: 9504347
    Abstract: A portable nested cook-set includes a cook pot having a pot sidewall with a retention projection and defining an upwardly opening pot interior chamber, a press-pot piston having a piston sidewall and a lower end portion defining an upwardly opening piston interior chamber, and a storage container having an exterior portion and a selectively sealable interior storage chamber. The piston sidewall has a sidewall opening and a retention notch positioned to removably receive the retention projection therein. The press-pot piston sidewall is dimensioned to be selectively storable at least partially within the cook pot. The storage container having an exterior portion with a lower portion dimensioned to be selectively storable at least partially within the piston interior chamber. The storage container and the press-pot piston being releasably threaded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Carl Beckman, Andrew C. F. Wahl, Evan M. Choltco-Devlin
  • Patent number: 9492029
    Abstract: Splatter guard for pots, pans, and other cooking appliances, with long-handled tongs, which have two legs that can be pressed together, includes a movable tongue situated between the two legs so that the tongue is raised when the two legs are pressed together. If the two legs are pressed together, the tongue is automatically raised, at least partially, and in particular in its front area, which faces the free leg ends, to the extent that the tongue protrudes above the two legs. In this way, a clamping space is formed between the raised tongue and the two legs into which a flat splatter guard element can be inserted. If pressure is applied on the two legs when the splatter guard element has been inserted, the splatter guard goes back to its basic position in which the tongue is located, at least essentially, in one plane with the two legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventors: Han Dat Hong, Gero Bruckmann
  • Patent number: 9446889
    Abstract: A reusable pizza container configured to enclose a hot pizza for temporary storage or transport and to prevent moisture from entering into the top, bottom or side surfaces of the pizza. The container has a lid, a removable Vapor Transport Mechanism, and a bottom. The lid facilitates convection heat flow and the flow of moisture along the interior sides of the lid. Raised radial ribs enable the lids to be stacked. The raised radial ribs in the lid have perforations to allow hot vapor to escape and minimize moisture within the enclosed area. The lid nests securely into the bottom to prevent dislodging of moisture during transport. The removable Vapor Transport Mechanism (VTM), a micromesh membrane that fits within the lid, allows vapor to pass upwards through the membrane but prevents moisture from dripping downwards onto the upper pizza surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Susan Lopes, Jeffrey Saake
  • Patent number: 9432491
    Abstract: A waterproof structure includes a casing including a first case member having a first facing surface, and a second case member having a second facing surface. A water repellent slit is provided on at least either one of the first and second facing surfaces, extends in one direction perpendicular to a direction of liquid droplet ingress, and has unidirectional fine recesses and protrusions that make water repellency anisotropic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshinobu Ogatsu
  • Patent number: 9415901
    Abstract: A foldable handle for a cook-pot including a bracket attached to the cook-pot, a handle member, a lock member and a bracing link member. The handle member has an upper end portion pivotally connected to the bracket, and opposed first and second sidewalls, each with an upper opening located in the upper end portion of the handle member and a lower opening located in a lower end portion of the handle member. The handle member has a guide channel with a lock member slidably disposed therein for movement between the upper and lower end portions of the handle member. First and second resiliently flexible members each having a projection for removably fitting within corresponding upper and lower openings of the first and second sidewalls. The link member has a first end rotatable retained by the bracket, and a second end rotatably attached to the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: PACIFIC MARKET INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Carl Beckman, Andrew C. F. Wahl, Evan M. Choltco-Devlin
  • Patent number: 9409707
    Abstract: A modular secondary containment unit that can be adapted to surround an above-ground fluid storage tank and can include a plurality of corner assemblies is described herein. Two or more components of each of the corner assemblies can be composed of one or more reinforced resin composite materials. The modular secondary containment units and the above-ground fluid storage tanks can be used in oil and gas exploration and production operations. An assembly for a modular secondary containment unit can include a track segment including first and second channels, a wall segment mounted on the track segment and extending within the first channel of the track segment, and a brace engaged with the wall segment and extending within the second channel of the track segment. A method of constructing a modular secondary containment unit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FALCON TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Larry L. Perkins, Mark Conner, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper, Jack Sheng
  • Patent number: 9409688
    Abstract: A tray system for display, storage and transportation of bottles includes a first tray having a plurality of stacking units. Each stacking unit can include a lower receptacle for receiving a neck portion of a first bottle. Each stacking unit can also include an upper receptacle for receiving a base portion of a second bottle to be stacked vertically above a first bottle. The lower receptacle can include a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall connecting the first end with the second end. The first end forms an opening for receiving a neck of the first bottle into the lower receptacle. The lower receptacle further includes a protective element. The protective element can be attached to the lower receptacle to provide a protective guard between the lower receptacle and a shoulder portion of the first bottle received in the lower receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Polymer Solutions International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Kelly, John A. Spadavecchia, James A. Favaron, Jeff Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9399550
    Abstract: A pedal type bin assembly (10) comprising a base (30) configured for accommodating a bin (12), a lid-bearing post (34) extending upright at a rear edge of the base and configured for supporting at a top end (36) thereof a pivotable lid (38), and a lifting mechanism (40). The lifting mechanism comprises a manipulating element (52) positioned at a front edge of the base and a leverage array (48, 50) articulated to the manipulating element, for manipulating the lid between an open and a closed position upon respective operation of the manipulating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: KETER PLASTIC LTD.
    Inventor: Efraim Haimoff
  • Patent number: 9393332
    Abstract: A filter holder, for a sterilization container (1), has a wall area (5) with ventilation openings (7), through which an exchange of air takes place between the interior space of the sterilization container and the surrounding area, covered by a filter sheet (10) to form a sterile barrier, sterilizing air entering the interior space. The filter sheet is held on the wall area (5, 6) by an air-permeable pressing disk. A holding pin (20), with a mounting hole (34), by which the pressing disk (12) can be pressed against the wall area in the axial direction (41), can be attached to a mounting pin (11), which is stationary relative to the wall area. The holding pin (20) is connected with the mounting pin in a pressed position via a detachable positive-locking connection (19, 51). The connection can be secured by an adjusting sleeve (21) mounted displaceably on the holding pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Innovation Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Kreidler, Jochen Kreidler
  • Patent number: 9365319
    Abstract: A container for containing a liquid or pasty material which is combined with a system for collecting and dispensing without taking in air. The container is rigid and includes a flexible bag which contains the material to be dispensed and which is combined with the collecting system. The bag is produced separately from the rigid container and has an overall cylindrical reservoir which is open at the top portion thereof and which is divided into four areas defined by a rigid upper sidewall, a flexible deformable lower sidewall, and a fillet connecting the flexible side wall to a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: PROMENS SA
    Inventors: Pascal Hennemann, Jesus Reyes Serrato, Jaume Tobias Franco
  • Patent number: 9352646
    Abstract: The inside wall of a fuel tank, and a sub-component are provided with locking means in the form of complementary formations that allow the sub-component to be coupled to the inside surface of the fuel tank wall. Interlocking of the complementary formations is achieved by moving the sub-component towards the wall providing angular movement to the sub-component relative to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: YFS Automotive Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Jeff Yager, Daniel Butum, Kent T. Salvilla, William Matthew Foster, Daniel Hall, Billy L. Downey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9334082
    Abstract: A recyclable composite container is provided. The recyclable composite container comprises a cardboard hollow body having an open end defining an opening, the body being formed by a sidewall having inner and outer surfaces, the sidewall being provided with an aperture at a distance from the open end. The recyclable composite container also comprises a framing element removably connectable to the open end having a collar sized and shaped for snugly fitting over said open end; and a resilient arm extending from the collar, the arm extending along the inner surface of the sidewall and having a projection sized and shaped to be removably fitted in the aperture of the sidewall of the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Abzac Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Pierre-Michel D'Anglade
  • Patent number: 9237795
    Abstract: A collapsible beverage cup and method for its use. The beverage cup is provided with a body portion capable of lying flat in a first state and capable of assuming the shape of a beverage cup in a second state. In its first state, the collapsible beverage cup is substantially two dimensional and planar having a relatively rigid outer shell having a first edge, second edge and boundary edges joining said first and second edges, the collapsible beverage cup further comprising an inner liner for retaining a beverage therein when said collapsible beverage cup is in its second state and a loop, preferably in the shape of a round ring, sized to slide onto the outer shell and releasably maintain the collapsible beverage cup in its second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Inventor: John Rey Hollis
  • Patent number: 9222487
    Abstract: A breather assembly is disclosed for use with a fluid tank. The breather assembly may include a mounting collar having a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the mounting collar may be connected to a distal end of a fluid tank spout. The breather assembly may also include a breather insert connected to the mounting collar. The breather insert may have a perforated screen extending a distance past a base end of the fluid tank spout. The breather assembly may further include a breather cap having a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the breather cap may be connected to the breather insert. The breather cap may also have a passage in common with a hollow center of the mounting collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Alioto, Shaun Currier
  • Patent number: 9181013
    Abstract: A liquefied gas tank includes an inner tank (2) that stores liquefied gas and is disposed so as to be capable of self-standing on a floor surface (F), and an outer tank (3) that is covered over the inner tank (2) and is supported by an upper face portion (2a) of the inner tank (2). The outer tank (3) is configured to be capable of sliding on the upper face portion (2a) of the inner tank (2) in response to expansion and contraction in the horizontal direction of the inner tank (2), and to be capable of moving in response to expansion and contraction in the vertical direction of the inner tank (2). A ceiling portion (3a) of the outer tank (3) that is placed on the upper face portion (2a) of the inner tank (2) is not fixed to the upper face portion (2a) of the inner tank (2), and the inner tank (2) and the outer tank (3) are configured to be capable of sliding in the horizontal direction relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: JAPAN MARINE UNITED CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji Aoki
  • Patent number: 9151398
    Abstract: A replaceable valve member for a sippy cup assembly is disclosed. The valve member is a flexible, resilient member for releasable mounting in the lid of the sippy cup. It includes a normally closed, but openable slit located within the sippy cup's spout when the valve member is in its operative position. The valve member includes another normally closed, but openable slit located at a vent in the sippy cup's lid when the valve member is in the operative position. The two slits open when suction is applied to the spout to enable liquid to be withdrawn through the spout. A recess is provided in a portion of the periphery of the valve member to preclude the trapping of residual liquid in the sippy cup. The valve member also includes an opening for releasably mounting it on a handle of the sippy cup in a storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tervis Tumbler Company
    Inventor: Steve Wharton
  • Patent number: 9120401
    Abstract: A cup holder is provided. The cup holder is selectively movable about an axis between a stowed position and a deployed position. The cup holder includes a support base rotatable about the axis. The cup holder also includes an arm extending upward from the support base. The arm is rotatable to define the stowed position and the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Gerard Brinas