Patents Examined by Robin Hylton
  • Patent number: 8066140
    Abstract: A door sealing system is used to seal a container of a vacuum system. In a preferred embodiment the vacuum system has a container door supported on a frame and adapted to seal the container when the container door is closed. A latch assembly supported on the container door is used to latch the container door to the container along a load bearing axis. A power operated pulling assembly located within the container forces the container door against the container by applying a load on the door that is collinear with the load bearing axis of the latch assembly. The power operated pulling assembly seals the container door to the container. The mechanical locking assembly is adapted to maintain the door in a sealed configuration after the power operated pulling assembly has sealed the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Kendall Clark Young, Gregory L. Stone
  • Patent number: 8066149
    Abstract: A container for holding goods comprises a basket having a base and a sidewall, a lid mateable with the basket, and a support structure. The support structure includes a pillar extending between the base and the lid and a tie connected between the pillar and the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Packing Plus, LLC
    Inventors: Randall Glenn Strange, Richard L. Bontrager
  • Patent number: 8056748
    Abstract: A safe device for a squeezable container includes a protective cover, a body, and a bottom cap. The protective cover includes an idle cap, an inner cap, and a mouthpiece. The idle cap is rotatably mounted around the inner cap. The body includes a compartment for receiving a squeezable container. A plurality of non-return blocks are formed on an outer periphery defining an upper opening of the body and meshable with non-return blocks on the mouthpiece to prevent the mouthpiece from disengaging from the container. The bottom cap is engaged in and seals a lower opening of the body. A rotational force applied to the idle cap can only be transmitted to the inner cap when a force greater than a predetermined magnitude is applied to move the idle cap downward to tightly engage with the outer periphery of the inner cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Fang-Pin Chen
  • Patent number: 8052005
    Abstract: A beverage can end is described. The beverage can end has a curl defining a perimeter of the can end, a chuckwall extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the curl, and a transition wall joining the chuckwall to an outer peripheral edge of a center panel. The transition wall is formed in compression such that a portion of the transition wall exhibits a compressed segment having a thickness which is 1% to 20% thicker than a thickness of the center panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Randall G. Forrest, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Michael R. Gogola
  • Patent number: 8052003
    Abstract: A device and system for temporarily sealing an orifice in a beverage container lid, comprising a plug having an upper surface, a body portion and a lower surface, said body portion adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in the orifice to provide a temporary seal thereof, and an external member located on the upper surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for ease of removal from the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Stixtogo, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Burns
  • Patent number: 8038024
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cylindrical holder member for a bi-directional bulged rupture disc. The support body of the holder has a rim that supports the rupture disc with the concave surface of the disc facing the holder. The support body is provided with a unitary one-piece, centrally creased cutting element that is of generally V-shaped configuration in plan view. The cutting element has a pair of elongated converging leg components with each leg component being connected to and supported by the interior wall surface of the holder body, with each leg component having an arcuate cutting edge. The cutting edges of the leg components merge at the crease in the cutting element to define a central cutting edge peak section. The cutting element is positioned in the holder with the cutting edge peak section extending beyond the rim of the support body into the concave area of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Krebill, Daniel G. O'Halloran, Jeromie T. Farnsworth, Bradford T. Stilwell
  • Patent number: 8033419
    Abstract: A bottle closure includes the unitarily-molded combination of: an internally-threaded sidewall; a tamper indicator ring; and a hinge connecting the ring to the sidewall. The hinge permits the ring to be shifted from an initial position to an installation position. The installation position is essentially coaxially aligned with the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Plastek Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex S. Szekely
  • Patent number: 8016153
    Abstract: A connecting device for attaching a lid to an insulated container. The connecting device has a barb arranged and configured to be inserted into a socket and to engage the walls of the socket upon rotation. The barb may engage the walls of the socket by displacing material or engaging receptors, such as threads, in the socket. The geometry of the barb is such that, after rotation, the barb remains connected to the body and lid without the aid of screws, rivets, or other means. The connecting device may also have a sliding or other connector for connecting the connecting device to the lid. The connector may be in the shape of a dovetail and the lid may have a recess configured to receive the dovetail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Boenig, Timothy M. Holub
  • Patent number: 8016147
    Abstract: A lockable container for an article comprises a frame which has an access opening, a closure member which is pivotally mounted in relation to the frame, and a latch member which is axially movable within the closure member between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch member and the frame are each provided with one or more interengageable detents whereby when the closure member is in a closed position and the latch member is in the latched position the detents are engaged and prevent pivoting of the closure member. Movement of the latch member to the unlatched position causes the detents to disengage and permit pivoting of the closure member. The closure member is provided with a locking member for engaging the latch member to retain it against axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Malcolm Broadhead, David Frank Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8011526
    Abstract: A loosening prevention device (1) for a plug includes: a first sleeve (11) engaged with and surrounding a first plug (70) attached to a lid of a liquid tank (60); a second sleeve (21) engaged with and surrounding a second plug (80) attached to the lid; and a connection means (24) for connecting and fixing the first sleeve and the second sleeve with each other. At least one flat surface (75, 85) is formed on an outer circumferential surface (74, 84) of both or either one of the first plug and the second plug, and at least one flat surface (12, 22) in surface contact with the flat surface of both or either one of the first plug and the second plug is formed on an inner circumferential surface of both or either one of the first sleeve and the second sleeve. With this arrangement, a plug for supplying pressurized-gas and a plug for discharging liquid can be firmly held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Hasunuma
  • Patent number: 8006853
    Abstract: A closure cap may include: a base portion that is provided with at least one dispenser orifice, and that is configured to be fastened onto a receptacle body; a lid that pivots relative to the base portion; and an opening control element configured to control opening of the lid. The opening control element may include a skirt that surrounds at least a portion of the base portion, and that is connected to the base portion via at least one elastically-deformable connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: L'oreal
    Inventor: Jean-François Delage
  • Patent number: 8002131
    Abstract: A stopper apparatus for closing wine bottles and like receptacles having an elongated stopper body of flexible material adapted for insertion into the neck of the bottle so as to create a water-tight and air-tight seal between the media contained within said bottle and the outside environment. The stopper body has a generally cylindrical shape with a slight taper near the base of the cylinder and features a cavity near the top of the cylinder. The cavity features a concealed apparatus therein. At least one self revealing handle is attached to the stopper body for extracting said stopper from the neck of the bottle, wherein extracting said stopper body from the neck of said bottle exposes said concealed apparatus contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Walter Karabin
  • Patent number: 7992740
    Abstract: A waste receptacle cover is configured for placing above an open top waste container. The cover has a main body that received objects therein and a central opening for disposal of the waste into the waste container. A tubular guard surrounds the central opening and prevents the objects from dropping into the waste container, while allowing the user to dispose of the waste directly into the waste container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Frank Kinchen
  • Patent number: 7988009
    Abstract: A litter bin includes a lid hingeably connected to a container. Opposite the hinge, a latch selectively secures the lid to the container. The latch includes a pivotably mounted latch member. The latch member includes a catch portion that moves between a locked position and an unlocked position upon pivoting of the latch member. A weight is pivotably connected to the latch member at a point offset from the pivot axis of the latch member, thereby further retaining the catch portion of the latch member in the locked position. The litter bin must be tilted past a nonzero tilt threshold before the latch member pivots the catch portion from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Mauricio D. Cavalcante
  • Patent number: 7984823
    Abstract: An apparatus, for positioning a flipping cover relative to a base, includes a first member being fixed relative to the flipping cover, and a second member being fixed relative to the base. The first member defines an arched guiding channel around a rotating axis of the flipping cover. The first member forms at least one raised ridge extending into the guiding channel. The second member forms a guiding rod parallel to the rotating axis. The guiding rod is slidably received in the guiding channel. The guiding rod is deformable to get through the at least one raised ridge. A casing utilizing the above apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-Che Peng, Jung-Chang Tai
  • Patent number: 7975862
    Abstract: A child-resistant package includes a housing having an internal volume for holding items to be dispensed, a cylindrical neck, an end wall on the neck and a dispensing opening in the end wall. A closure has an end wall with a dispensing opening and a skirt. One of the skirt and the neck, preferably the neck, has a channel and the other of the skirt and the neck, preferably the skirt, has a bead for receipt in the channel such that the closure is rotatable on the neck for selectively aligning the dispensing openings to dispense items from within the housing. A child resistance mechanism between the closure and the neck resists rotation of the closure on the neck. The end wall of the closure preferably includes a dosage window, and a disk preferably is disposed between the closure and the end wall of the neck having dosage indicia viewable through the dosage window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rexam Healthcare Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice R. Gnepper
  • Patent number: 7967159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible child resistant cap and a closure system having two positions, the first being a child resistant position and the other being a non-child resistant position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Tri State Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Miceli, Joseph A. Miceli
  • Patent number: 7963420
    Abstract: In a case having a cover and a case body connected to each other via a shaft and a shaft inserting portion, a quantity of gel to be used can be reduced while a braking effect of the cover is satisfactorily secured. A shaft is inserted into a shaft inserting portion such that a cover is turned with respect to a case body on the shaft to be opened. An urging mechanism urges the cover in an opening direction. A viscous material is disposed between the shaft and the shaft inserting portion such that the cover is slowly opened with respect to the case body. An engaging projection is disposed at the shaft inserting portion while an engaged recess engageable with the engaging projection is disposed the shaft to enlarge a contact area between the shaft and the shaft inserting portion via the viscous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: M.F.V. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Yamanaka
  • Patent number: RE42910
    Abstract: A bottle cap is provided that allows for venting of gases generated in a bottle. A single or multiple ridges are formed on the inner surface of the cap top such that the ridges sit on the bottle mouth rim when the cap is threaded onto the bottle. A single or multiple slots may be formed across each of the ridges. Alternatively, a single or multiple grooves may be formed on the inner surface of the cap top. The ridge(s) or groove(s) may also be formed on a disc fitted over the inner surface of the cap top. When the cap is threaded on to the bottle, gases generated in the bottle can escape through the slot(s) formed across the ridge(s) or through the groove (s) formed on the inner surface of the cap top. A liner having an opening formed through its thickness may be placed in the cap. The liner opening allows the passage of gases from the bottle to the slot(s) or groove(s) formed on the cap top or disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Innovation Update, LLC
    Inventor: Woodrow W. Pearce
  • Patent number: RE42943
    Abstract: A bottle cap is provided that allows for venting of gases generated in a bottle. A single or multiple ridges are formed on the inner surface of the cap top such that the ridges sit on the bottle mouth rim when the cap is threaded onto the bottle. A single or multiple slots may be formed across each of the ridges. Alternatively, a single or multiple grooves may be formed on the inner surface of the cap top. The ridge(s) or groove(s) may also be formed on a disc fitted over the inner surface of the cap top. When the cap is threaded on to the bottle, gases generated in the bottle can escape through the slot(s) formed across the ridge(s) or through the groove (s) formed on the inner surface of the cap top. A liner having an opening formed through its thickness may be placed in the cap. The liner opening allows the passage of gases from the bottle to the slot(s) or groove(s) formed on the cap top or disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Innovation Update, LLC
    Inventor: Woodrow W. Pearce