Patents Examined by Robin Hylton
  • Patent number: 8397944
    Abstract: A storage mailing tube having an elongated housing and a hand removable end cap with a rib positioned so as to facilitate hand alignment of the cap while at the same time forming limited frictional engagement sufficient to retain the end cap on the storage mailing tube during handling or transporting the storage mailing tube while allowing a user to access a document or item therein by hand removal of the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Scott D. Landes
  • Patent number: 8397927
    Abstract: The break-open valve (1) for a container (21) comprises a break-away element (4) which can be twisted off by turning an activator (3). The valve (1) can be used for hermetically sealing a container (21) until its first opening and also for making it tamper-evident. The activator (3) is rotatably affixed to the valve head (2). The activator (3) comprises an inserted disk (16) with at least one opening (10) and a socket (5) which engages the break-away element (4). The activator (3) further comprises a membrane (17) which protects the contents within the activator (3) from contaminants entering through spout (18). The valve (1) has the advantage that it is cost efficient in its production, that it is easy to use and that it is suitable for dispensing sterile contents in more than one dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Laboratoires Thea
    Inventor: Daniel Krebs
  • Patent number: 8393491
    Abstract: The neck closure has a wedge-shaped hollow neck with lips formed on the front wedge edge by converging wedge surfaces, the lips being connected to form a one-piece closed lip by a thin section, and having a cover cap that can be placed over the neck. When the cover cap is in place, the front region of the wedge-shaped neck is held in a position that has been rotated through at least 5 DEG in a clockwise direction, viewed from above, in relation to its normal unstressed position, as a result of the inner moulding of the cover cap. When the cover cap is rotated anti-clockwise, from this closed position, force is only applied to the front wedge edge region of the neck by pressure surfaces projecting from the inner face of the cover cap at diametrically opposed points on said front wedge edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Belcap Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Fritz Seelhofer
  • Patent number: 8393486
    Abstract: A floating modular cover for a water storage consisting of a plurality of modules in which each module includes a chamber defined by an upper surface and a lower surface there being openings in the upper surface to allow ingress of water into said chamber and openings in the upper surface to allow air to flow into and out of said chamber depending on the water level within said chamber to provide ballast for each module floats. The modules prevent water evaporation from the area covered and the shape and size is selected to ensure that the modules are stable in high wind conditions and don't form stacks. The modules may be made from identical hexagonal or octagonal halves by blow molding or thermoforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Aqua Guardian Group Ltd.
    Inventors: George Jaroslav Cap, Ross Woodfield
  • Patent number: 8393487
    Abstract: A three position, selectively openable twist lid for a drinking vessel has separate drinking and venting apertures. The lid has two parts—a base member and a cap member. The base and cap members can be relatively rotated from a first, closed position to a second, open position and to a third, disengaged position in which the cap and base members may be separated for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventors: Michelle J. Pillers, Barry Beyerlein, Robert Freed
  • Patent number: 8387811
    Abstract: A pierceable cap maybe used for containing sample specimens during storage and transport. The pierceable cap may prevent unwanted escape of sample specimen before transfer with a transfer device. The pierceable cap may fit over a vessel. An access port in the pierceable cap may allow passage of a tip of a transfer device though the pierceable cap. Multiple frangible layers maybe disposed across the access port. One or more extensions proximate to a lower frangible layer may rotate around one or more coupling regions during insertion of the transfer device. The movement of the one or more extensions may pierce the lower frangible layer to create airways and allow air to escape from a vessel at a reduced velocity. Upper frangible layers may prevent escape of materials from spaces intermediate between the lower frangible layer and the upper frangible layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: BD Diagnostics
    Inventors: Dwight Livingston, Dustin Diemert, Ammon David Lentz
  • Patent number: 8387810
    Abstract: A pierceable cap may be used for containing sample specimens during storage and transport. The pierceable cap may prevent unwanted escape of sample specimen before transfer with a transfer device. The pierceable cap may fit over a vessel. An access port in the pierceable cap may allow passage of a tip of a transfer device though the pierceable cap. A frangible layer may be disposed across the access port. One or more extensions proximate to the frangible layer may be coupled to the pierceable cap by coupling regions or other similar devices. The one or more extension may rotate around the one or more coupling regions during insertion of the transfer device. The movement of the one or more extensions may pierce the frangible layer to create airways and allow air to escape from a vessel at a reduced velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Dwight Livingston, Dustin Diemert, Ammon David Lentz
  • Patent number: 8381934
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sealing plug for blind installation in a suitable hole (50) thereby to plug and seal the hole, which sealing plug comprises a sleeve (2), a nut stem (4) having a shoulder (8), and a head (6) at least part of which is radially enlarged with respect to the remainder of the stem; the nut stem being of a material which is harder than that of the sleeve; the nut stem being internally threaded; whereby, when the sealing plug is inserted in a suitable hole, with the sleeve entirely within the hole, and increasing force is applied to the stem with respect to the sleeve, axial compression is applied by the shoulder to the sleeve material abutting it, thereby causing the sleeve to deform and expand radially outwardly to engage with the wall (52) of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Brewer, Julia Ahulu
  • Patent number: 8381925
    Abstract: A dispensing closure and label system provides a clear indication of prior opening directly at the point of application of force to open the closure. The dispensing closure includes a closure body, a living hinge and a lid. The lid includes a downwardly depending sidewall that has a thumb tab that extends down beyond the parting line of the lid and the closure body. A label wraps around the skirt and container neck. The label overlaps that portion of the thumb tab that extends below the parting line of the lid and body. When the thumb tub is lifted to open the container, the paper label is ripped in the area of the thumb tab to evidence opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: MWV Slatersville, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford W. Skillin, Richard A. Tarozzi
  • Patent number: 8376162
    Abstract: A water stop structure is mounted to a water jar. A main body includes a depression bar device, a resiliency device, and a water stop member. The depression bar device includes a movable depression bar that is releasably connectable to a hanger formed on the main body. The resiliency device includes a rod that maintains the depression bar in position with a first resilient element. A second resilient element maintains the rod in position to have the water stop member blocking a water passage of the main body. When the depression bar is depressed to travel through a first stroke, the depression bar disengages from the hanger to form an opening therebetween for easy hanging and use of the water jar. When the depression bar travels through a second stroke, the rod drives the water stop member away from the water passage to allow a user to drink water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Trim Supply Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 8376181
    Abstract: A storage container assembly comprises a storage receptacle and a removable lid. The storage receptacle has a base and a continuous sidewall connected to the base. The sidewall projects upward from the base to a peripheral edge. The removable lid has a rigid central cover portion and a flexible seal portion that traverses a perimeter of the rigid central portion. The flexible seal portion has a release tab disposed along its periphery, and a pocket disposed inward of the release tab. The flexible seal portion further has a ledge disposed generally at the periphery of the flexible seal portion. The ledge contacts the peripheral edge of the storage receptacle. The flexible seal portion further has and a blade portion disposed below the ledge. The blade portion contacts the side wall of the storage receptacle and forms a generally fluid-tight seal with the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Lundgreen, Steve Grider, Arif Sitabkhan, John Gephart, Paul Katz, Tara Marchiona, Kirsten Climer, Davin Stowell
  • Patent number: 8365931
    Abstract: The specification discloses a device (10) insertable into a wine bottle (12) after opening, the device (10) being intended to float on the surface (21) of wine remaining in the bottle (12) and minimize deterioration of the remaining wine, said device (10) including a core structure (11) having a thin spring plate (11a) capable of being deformed when the device (10) is inserted into the bottle (12) and capable of recovering its shape once inserted into the bottle (12), the core structure (11) further having at least one floatation means (11b) and said device (10) including a liquid impervious outer sheath (18) having upper and lower walls (14, 15) sealed to one another to retain the core structure (11) therein, the outer sheath (18) being of a material that is non reactive with wine and including a flexible outer peripheral edge zone (42) with cuts or the like (49) formed therein, the outer peripheral edge zone (42) being adapted, in use, to contact the internal surfaces of the wine bottle (12) while floating
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: Barry Maxwell Rees, Malcolm McKenzie
  • Patent number: 8360262
    Abstract: A food container formed of a single sheet of plastic, which includes a cup (12), a cover (16) that is movable between open and closed positions on the cup top, and a container (20,22) that is movable between a stowed position in the cup and an unstowed position out of the cup. The cup has a cup flange (34) and the container has a container flange (60) that is pivotally connected to the cup flange along a pivot line (64) that can be torn to separate the container from the cup. The cover is pivotally connected to the cup top at the cover flange, and the container has a lift tab (220) that lies on the cover flange. The container has a side wall that forms a vertical channel (190) on its outside for passing a straw into liquid in the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Pactiv Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Vovan
  • Patent number: 8348079
    Abstract: The invention concerns a closure for a cylindrical can (10) The closure includes a flexible member (11) of the easy-open type secured across the open end of the can (10). A rigid, screw cap (22) is screwed over the thus sealed end of the can. An annular, resilient member (24) depending downwardly from the underside of the end wall of the cap (22), engages the membrane (11) in the vicinity of the end flange (18) of the can body (10) thereby strengthening the seal between the membrane (11) and the flange (18). This advantageously permits cooking of the contents of the can with the flexible membrane (11) in situ, thereby giving rise to a can having an easy-open end, the contents of which can are cooked and sterilized using conventional processing lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lawson Mardon Sutton Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Baird-Smith, Andreas Ziegler, Reinhart Geisler, Werner Hammon
  • Patent number: 8348080
    Abstract: Apparatus for enclosing and containing its contents. Apparatus may include a container having wheels and a handle. Apparatus may include a top portion with a retractable cover capable of protecting the contents of the container from weather and other harmful elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: George H. Baptiste
  • Patent number: 8348081
    Abstract: A retractable cover is provided. The retractable cover may include a leading cover member; and a plurality of following cover members, each of the plurality of following cover members may be hingedly coupled to at least one of the leading cover member and one adjacent following cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: George H Baptiste
  • Patent number: 8342354
    Abstract: A cylindrical molded plastic container is adapted to receive a snap-on snap-ring which acts as a transition structure between the container sidewall and a suitably configured closure. The snap-ring does not require sonic or friction welding and thus reduces manufacturing costs in the production of the container. The container may be used to ship and store paint or other ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Letica Corporation
    Inventor: Anton Letica
  • Patent number: 8342359
    Abstract: A container for holding a dipping condiment or sauce and allowing a user to wipe a food item to remove excess condiment or sauce. The container has a base and a side wall having one portion higher than an opposing portion, the wall including at least one ridge, groove or other fluid retention device. The wall also includes a pair of opposing inwardly curved gripping surfaces for facilitating gripping by a user's fingers, the gripping surfaces including ribs or grooves. The container may also include a lid which snap fits onto the lip of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cannon Financial, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Dickson Cannon, III, Devin Lee Moore, Jesse Marie Newton, Alex Worthy Newton, Brian Andrew Wong-Shui
  • Patent number: 8342353
    Abstract: An interlock vessel has an air-tight body having open opposing ends. A portion of the body is designed to fit into a decompression (hyperbaric) chamber, wherein a diver or a patient undergoing a decompression treatment is positioned. The opposing ends are closed by pivotally moveable doors and latching assemblies that retain the door in a closed position until the pressure inside the decompression chamber and the exterior of the chamber is equalized. Both latching assemblies are manually operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Robert D. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 8333290
    Abstract: A discharge cap for discharging a content liquid from a container body includes a cylinder assembly that can be tightly fitted to a mouth portion of the container body. The cylinder assembly includes a cap main body provided with a main discharge cylinder, a discharge cylinder body provided with an auxiliary discharge cylinder that is smaller in diameter than the main discharge cylinder, and a lid body for opening or closing the auxiliary discharge cylinder. Hinge-connections are provided between the cap main body and the discharge cylinder body, and between the discharge cylinder body and the lid body, for allowing a selective opening of the main discharge cylinder and the auxiliary discharge cylinder, thereby readily changing the discharge amount or discharge mode of the content liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhito Kuwahara, Yoshiyuki Kakuta, Natsuo Shinozaki