Patents Examined by Robert Stodola
  • Patent number: 8757426
    Abstract: A beverage container with integrated anchoring system, having a container assembly, a housing assembly, a spring assembly, an anchor assembly, and a base assembly. The anchor assembly anchors onto a surface, such as a tabletop, when a downward force is placed onto the container or housing assembly to keep the beverage container with integrated anchoring system stationary. The anchor assembly releases from the surface when a predetermined rotational force is placed onto the housing or base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: German J. Serrano
  • Patent number: 8708188
    Abstract: A “clean can” beverage can includes a beverage can body and a beverage can top coupled to the body. The can top is shaped to define a groove between a lower inside edge of the rim of the can top and an upper surface of the can top. A groove cover is disposed to cover the groove along at least a portion of the groove that is located adjacent to the openable section of the can top. The groove cover prevents collection of debris in the groove. The groove allows the can top to be wiped clean without debris getting stuck in the groove by sloping upwards towards the top of the tim. The groove cover can also cover the rim and an upper portion of the can body. The groove cover provides a more sanitary drinking experience and serves as a marketing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Barry W. Chapin
  • Patent number: 8701924
    Abstract: A method of storing material includes placing material in a storage container and removably positioning a magnetic device in a cap. The magnetic device includes a gasket including a magnet. Moreover, the method includes removably fastening the cap to the storage container to form a storage device and magnetically attaching the cap to a metal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: David Barrett Dalbec
  • Patent number: 8695843
    Abstract: An adaptable bin having a retractable cup holder includes a bin wall and a bin floor. The bin wall and the bin floor define a storage volume, which substantially encapsulates the retractable cup holder. A plurality of spiral links are movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. At least one of the plurality of spiral links is operatively attached to one of the bin wall and the bin floor. A cup holder axis is defined by the plurality of spiral links, each of which rotates about the cup holder axis between the stowed position and deployed position. The plurality of spiral links define the retractable cup holder in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Gerard Brinas
  • Patent number: 8678229
    Abstract: A protective sleeve system featuring a housing having an inner cavity adapted to hold a vial. The top of the housing is at an angle with respect to the side wall forming a crater. An aperture is disposed at the narrowest part of the crater providing access to the inner cavity of the housing. Two windows are disposed in the side wall of the housing and positioned opposite each other. A drainage hole is disposed in the bottom surface of the housing and is fluidly connected to the inner cavity of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventors: Sharla M. Alford, Brandon Cates
  • Patent number: 8668113
    Abstract: A protective bag for a portable electronic device with a first body and a second body is provided. The first body may be carried on a carrying surface. The second body may be folded relative to the first body to cover the first body or unfolded relative to the first body to stand on the carrying surface. The protective bag comprises a first covering plate for covering a bottom surface of the first body, a second covering plate for covering a rear surface of the second body and at least a connecting component connected between the first covering plate and the second covering plate. When the bottom surface is carried on the carrying surface via the first covering plate and the second body is unfolded relative to the first body, the second covering plate stands on the carrying surface with a support provided by the connecting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Fu-Yi Hsu
  • Patent number: 8657144
    Abstract: A tray for use during painting includes a stair adaptor for leveling the tray along stairs and maintaining the tray on a workbench. The tray body has at least one utility recess defined therein for situating paint cans, paint stirrers, and paint brushes. A roller tray is further defined within the tray body. A front cut-out is defined along the front which is well-suited to allow the tray to be secured to a workbench by way of workbench swivel pegs. Slots are defined within the underside traveling an entire width of the tray body. A stair adaptor is adapted to engage the slots. As a result, upon placement of the tray body on an upper step of a stairway the stair adaptor levels the tray while the base of the stair adaptor rests on an adjacent lower step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Steven R. Kells
  • Patent number: 8567638
    Abstract: An openable and closable container includes a container body having a take-out opening, and an opening-closing lid provided on the container body swingably about a swing axis on a base end side of the lid, the lid opening and closing the take-out opening. Plate rubber (an elastic member) is provided between the contain body and the opening-closing lid. A packing member (an elastic sealing body) is attached to the rear surface of the opening-closing lid such that the packing member seals the take-out opening of the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Bandoh, Takahiro Ueda, Ikue Hiramatsu, Masaho Hayashi, Hiroshi Uematsu, Toshihiko Uenishi, Norio Ochi
  • Patent number: 8544678
    Abstract: An insulating beverage container holder is disclosed that is adapted to receive either longneck beverage bottles or aluminum cans. The insulating beverage holder consists of a substantially cylindrical body having 3 axially aligned apertures therein. One aperture is sized for an interference fit with the cylindrical diameter of an aluminum can beverage container. A second aperture is sized for an interference fit with the neck portion of a longneck beverage container. A third aperture, situated between the first and second apertures, is sized for an interference fit with the larger diameter of a longneck beverage container. Retaining mechanisms are also disclosed that secure longneck beverage containers within the holder to prevent inadvertent removal of the beverage container from within the insulated beverage container holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Elliott Stanley Hughes
  • Patent number: 8540099
    Abstract: Presented is a composite panel container sidewall construction that provides additional interior logistics slots in the sidewalls of the container for securing cargo loaded into the container. The sidewall is constructed from posts, outer sheets, inner liners, and logistics panels. The outer sheets have inward protrusions that are secured into pockets in the posts. The logistic panels may include logistic slots that may be used to secure cargo or tie downs to the sidewall of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Vanguard National Trailer Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Roush
  • Patent number: 8534479
    Abstract: An improved panel and sidewall construction is presented. The sidewall includes a post with a pocket, and in the pocket external liners of the sidewall are secured. Flexible interior panels are secured in the posts with two protrusions that extend laterally and inwardly from the post. The posts also include slots for logistics panel that serve as a tie-down points for securing cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Vanguard National Trailer Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Roush
  • Patent number: 8528758
    Abstract: Closure element (1) of a container particularly made from foil-type material, in particular of a bag-type container for receiving a liquid substance, the closure element having a base (5) that can be fixed to or is already fixed to the container, and which defines a passage (13) and a lid member (3) mounted to the base (5) to clear and close the passage (13), characterized in that the closing element (1) has a transport state in which the lid member (3) is attached to the base (5) via at least one predetermined breaking point (61), and an installation state in which, after separation of the predetermined breaking point attachment, the lid member (3) can rotate relative to the base (5) from an open position to a locked position in which the lid member (3) is removably held at the base (5) by a detent mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures France
    Inventors: Séverine Morlot, Frédéric Berthelin
  • Patent number: 8511507
    Abstract: A decorative cover object supported on the lid of a can to enable drinking from the can. The decorative cover object includes a decorative spout member having a drinking spout and an internal collar and an insert received by the internal collar and for support from the can. The insert includes a base that mates with the collar and a deflectable peripheral flange that releasably engages with the can lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Neil Kumar Malik
  • Patent number: 8485360
    Abstract: A container fracturable along a break path having a generally constant wall thickness about the break path is disclosed. In order to provide a specific break path without reducing the structural integrity of the container, the body of the container is configured to concentrate stress along the break path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sands Innovations Pty, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bradley Donald Teys, David Stevens
  • Patent number: 8469215
    Abstract: A collapsible freight container includes a floor panel, a roof panel and two longitudinal side walls connected to the floor panel and the roof panel. Each side wall includes a first and a second part, which are connected by a hinged joint, such that the first part can hinge towards the second part of the same side wall about a hinge axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the freight container. Each corner of the freight container is provided with a corner pin. The corner pins can be moved simultaneously, using an unlocking mechanism, from a locked position, in which the side walls are rigidly connected to the roof panel and the floor panel by the corner pins, to an unlocked position, in which the side walls are hinged to the roof panel and the floor panel by the corner pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Cargoshell Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Rene Giesbers