Patents Examined by S. Castellano
  • Patent number: 5082132
    Abstract: A double-barrel type sanitary trash bin having the two symmetrically arranged barrels disposed immediately on each side of a main container and a cross arm supported at the center on the apex of a piston rod and having the two ends attached at the lower sides to the upper sides of two barrel lids by suspension bars. A lid-operating mechanism comprises an air cylinder, a piston rod having at the lower end thereof a piston, an operating lever and a connecting rod and serves for the opening and closing of the lids. A further embodiment having no cylinder and piston is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventor: Wei C. Tsai
  • Patent number: 5080251
    Abstract: A medical instrument disposal container has a hollow bin member fitted with a hollow top housing member, the two members having mating flanges with snap lock means for holding them together, the hollow top member further having a rectangular medical instruments entry port which may be closed by a closure lid which has a snap lock type locking means which engages with portions of the top member to affect a substantially permanent closure of the port. Internally of the hollow top housing member, and below the entry port, there is provided a tortuous path means including first and second oppositely inclined barrier walls which block manual entry into the interior of the hollow bin member but allow for the free fall introduction of medical instruments, syringes, sharps, or other medical materials into the storage area of the bin member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Devon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Noack
  • Patent number: 5078297
    Abstract: The disclosed partitioned wastebasket has component pieces including an outer receptacle, one or more partition inserts, and a cover, operatively interfitted relative to one another. The outer receptacle has a bottom wall and a side wall upstanding therefrom to an open upper top, and opposing handles are formed adjacent the open upper top. Each partition insert is sized to fit closely adjacent the outer receptacle walls, and has front and rear hooks that thereupon become operatively interfixed to the outer receptacle to hold each partition insert within the outer receptacle and to hold the outer receptacle side wall against outward flexture. Hinge structure between the cover and each partition insert movably supports the cover for opening and closing the outer receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventors: Frank C. Howard, Mohamed K. Wagdy, Robert F. Murray
  • Patent number: 5078294
    Abstract: A method for sealing holes, involves fitting an essentially bushing- and/or tube-shaped plug into a hole and then the wall of the plug is expanded radially along at least one axial segment. In this method, the plug is positively anchored axially in the hole. By this method of producing an axially positive anchoring of the plug in the hole, not only is a tight fit of the plug in the hole achieved, but a mechanical movement of the plug relative to the hole is reliably prevented. A hole arrangement is tightly sealed with an essentially bushing- or tube-shaped plug in the hole having a radially spread axial part fitting tightly in the hole. Between the hole and the plug a locking arrangement with axially positive effect is provided. In a hole arrangement of this kind, not only is tightness ensured, but also piston-like displacement of the plug in the hole is prevented. The hole arrangement can preferably be so designed that the sealing and locking parts are provided axially at different points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Koenig Berbindungstechnik AG
    Inventor: Willi Staubli
  • Patent number: 5072847
    Abstract: Flexible, extruded strips and molded, curved pieces are used as pressed-in fillers for the edge grooves in an opened can of paint. This acts as a cover for the groove where the lid seals. The result is that an opened can of paint may be poured-from without the lid seal area becoming fouled by paint. A pour lip is also provided to preclude paint running down the can after the pouring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Inventor: Frank C. Price
  • Patent number: 5067626
    Abstract: A trash basket with a support which is designed to lock the basket in a normal upright position for receiving and holding trash, and to be unlocked so as to permit rotation for emptying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Dov A. Leumi
  • Patent number: 5065923
    Abstract: A food supporting element is used to support food, such as dip, in position near the open mouth of a food container to be easily accessible for serving. The supporting element includes a bowl that is spaced from the container, and is mounted on the container near the cover for that container. When the cover is closed, the container is inverted so food product moves past the food supporting bowl, and is then re-inverted to an upright orientation so food is supported on the bowl. The container is then opened and the food supported on the bowl is in position for serving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventors: Richard Hoefer, Clovia Hoefer
  • Patent number: 5065891
    Abstract: A fixed or removable inner ring device for supporting a flexible bag liner inside a trash receptacle is configured in such a manner as to provide air gaps or vent spaces between the inner ring and the inside of the trash container, thereby enabling release of trapped air upon insertion of a flexible bag liner into the trash container. Additionally, the ring device permits the use of different sized of liner bags and provides for a neat appearance by eliminating unsightly overhang of the liner top outside the trash container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventor: Robert G. Casey
  • Patent number: 5064091
    Abstract: A swap tank has transverse bars disposed at the standard spacing of ISO containers and end portions extending beyond the transverse bars. Each end portion has associated with it a base frame structure including the transverse bar and a pair of diagonal struts which extend towards each other and are welded together at the tank end. A support member is welded between the interconnected ends of the diagonal struts and a ring welded to the tank bottom below the tank axis. The support member is formed as an integral bent sheet metal part having two lateral triangular wall elements. To compensate for manufacturing tolerances, the support member may be adjusted by varying the bending angle in such a manner that the free edges of the triangular wall elements extend parallel and flush with the outwardly facing surface of the ring and may be welded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Westerwaelder Eisenwerk Gerhard GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Gerhard
  • Patent number: 5062539
    Abstract: The container comprises two or more tube-like storage modules that are stacked on top of one another and interconnected by a plate-like lid which is removably interposed in the joint between the modules and has male/female joint-forming attachment grooves on the upper and lower sides thereof, which mate with in-turned out-turned flanges on the lower and upper rims of the modules, respectively, to form a joint in which the modules are releasably interlocked against relative movement in the lateral directions thereof. The modules have open-ended bins therewithin, and additional openings in the sides thereof through which a pair of panels are removably insertable to form false bottoms for the bins, or in the alternative, to open the bottoms of the bins for the unloading operation, when the panels are removed from the bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Inventor: John W. Chandler
  • Patent number: 5062540
    Abstract: A container recycling apparatus including a cylindrical container formed with an "L" shaped circumferential flange at an upper terminal end thereof receives a single or plurality of cylindrical segments therewithin. Each cylindrical segment defined by a predetermined axial height equal to that of the cylindrical container to permit individuals to modify various compartments within the container. Each insert includes a sleeve positioned at a varying axial position about an axis of each insert for mounting about a central shaft coaxially mounted within a rigid manner within the cylindrical container. Each insert includes a lock flange receiving the "L" shaped flange of the container for enhanced securement of each insert within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Inventor: Robert A. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5060818
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vessel closure having a liner formed from a composition comprising (i) a hydrogenated styrene/butadiene block copolymer having a melt index smaller than 0.1 g/10 min as measured at a temperature of 200.degree. C. under a load of 5 kg, (ii) liquid paraffin and (iii) a propylene resin.In this liner, the compression permanent strain and permanent elongation under high temperature conditions are extremely small, and therefore, even if a divergence is produced between the liner and the mouth portion of a vessel by thermal deformation or thermal shrinkage, a good sealing property can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Doi, Junichi Itsubo, Hiroaki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5056681
    Abstract: By providing a prize award holder cooperatingly associated with a container shell which is closed in the conventional manner, a container assembly is achieved for randomly distributing prize awards to consumers in association with any liquid, semi-liquid, wet or moist product, without fear of consumer detection of the prize bearing containers. In accordance with the present invention, the container assembly may incorporate the actual product along with the prize award or may comprise a simulated product container bearing the prize award without the actual product, but being completely indistinguisable from non-prize bearing, product-holding containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5054645
    Abstract: A double walled storage tank system comprises an outer tank shell, a separating material and an inner tank made of a fibrous reinforced resinous material. The separating material has a series of holes extending therethrough to act as molds to receive resinous material. An inner tank is formed in situ. The tank system has an integral structural strength capable of withstanding external load forces normally encountered by underground storage tanks. Secondary containment with leak detection capability is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Bruce R. Sharp
  • Patent number: 5054639
    Abstract: A drinking straw contained in a beverage can having a flexible portion (3), a floating ball (4) and a ring (5). The can has a straw holder (7) and a straw guide (22) spot welded on the inside of it. When the pull tab is opened, the straw guide detaches the straw from the holder and guides it to the opening slot. The straw comes up to an ideal drinking position immediately after the tab is opened and the user does not have to use his/her fingers to hold the straw. This convenient and safe invention will make any drinking experience a healthy and pleasurable one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Si Y. Ahn
    Inventor: Si Y. Ahn
  • Patent number: 5052570
    Abstract: The present invention relates to composting bins assembled from at least one elongated sheet of semi-rigid, flexible material with a means for locking the near and far ends of the elongated sheet together while the near and far ends overlap to form the enclosed space for containing decomposing organic waste matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Roderic Johansen
  • Patent number: 5052579
    Abstract: A container is provided, which comprises a supporting frame including rod-like elements of a relatively rigid, dimensionally stable material, and a flexible sleeve member forming a receptacle for substances, materials, goods and the like to be packaged. The supporting frame includes at least three circumferential planes, a top plane and a bottom plane. A rod-like element is provided at the transition of a circumferential plane to an adjacent circumferential plane. The sleeve member is provided with at least three flexible loop members each extending around a rod-like element and being attached to the sleeve member at two places spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the sleeve member. Each loop member has a length, measured from one place of attachment to the sleeve member to the other, which is a multiple of the circumference of the enveloped rod-like element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Gerardus A. M. Boots
  • Patent number: 5050765
    Abstract: A large-volume storage and transport container has a flexible wall inner vessel within an outer vessel of gridwork. The bottom of this outer vessel is likewise formed as a gridwork and stabilized by welding with additional bars if necessary. Pallet feet or other palletizing elements can be formed on the additional bars, welded to the bottom or otherwise attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Sotralentz S.A.
    Inventors: Georges Roser, Pierre Pfeiffer, Andre Hamm
  • Patent number: 5050768
    Abstract: Container structure including spaced and parallel forward and rear walls and spaced and parallel side walls to define a container with a lid removably mounted thereon. The forward and rear walls include spaced parallel slots to selectively receive divider walls therebetween. The organization is arranged to utilize castor wheels for mobility and optionally utilize adjustable wall portions for longitudinal division of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: Rory W. Alden
  • Patent number: 5048712
    Abstract: A treadle top container for refuse and the like comprises a lower container member interconnected with an upper container member by an upright container member. The upright container member includes a hollow portion which communicates with a hollow portion of the lower container member and a hollow portion of the upper container member. A foot pedal is movably mounted adjacent to the lower container member while a lid is movably mounted adjacent to a rotatable portion of the upper container member. The lid is shaped to selectively close an open marginal edge of the upper container member. A flexible actuator is provided having one end operatively connected with the foot pedal and the other end operatively connected with a pivot rod located within and attached to the rotatable portion of the hollow portion of the upper container member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Inventor: Richard H. Wolters