Patents Examined by Steven M. Pollard
  • Patent number: 5769260
    Abstract: A molded plastic storage container includes a lower tub section having a hinged front access panel, a detachable, hinged cover and internal dividers adapted to compartmentalize the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Flambeau Products Corp.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Killinger, Donald A. Malcolm
  • Patent number: 5765709
    Abstract: An end piece for a drawn and ironed container is disclosed. The end piece has a score which defines an openable section for accessing the contents of the container. The score includes at least one reservoir for post repair material which is deposited into the main portion of the score while the end piece is rotated. The reservoir functions to receive post repair material which is forced out of the main portion of the score during this rotation of the end piece and/or to actually generate forces which counteract the centrifugal forces exerted on the post repair material such that it is retained within the main portion of the score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Dana H. Scott
  • Patent number: 5762232
    Abstract: A U-shaped fuel tank for a self contained generator set of the type adapted to be mounted on a refrigerated container has an integral structural framework. The framework includes an H-shaped structure defined by a horizontal structural plate which serves as a wall of a lower section of the tank as well as the primary support for the motor and generator. Vertically extending structural plates attached to opposite ends of the horizontal plate serve as walls for vertical tank sections as well as structural components and baffles within the interior of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent D. Green, Paul J. Spaulding
  • Patent number: 5762234
    Abstract: An improved insulated beverage container holder assembly is disclosed that facilitates removal of a beverage container from an insulating sleeve that is adapted to retain the beverage container in an interior cavity formed by the sleeve. The sleeve has an open top end to receive the beverage container into the interior cavity. A pressurizing means delivers air pressure into the interior cavity of the sleeve, which in turn generates forces within the interior cavity of the sleeve that operate to facilitate removal of the beverage container from the sleeve through the open top end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Incredea Company
    Inventors: Paul F. Kiel, Brett A. Schimanski, Paul Burress
  • Patent number: 5762196
    Abstract: Stackable drawn sheet-metal pieces have spacer knobs which are drawn in a bead-type manner and are integrated in the drawn piece to rise from a wall of the drawn piece. The walls of the drawn piece situated transversely to a stacking direction have a mutual distance such that the walls, which are situated at an acute angle with respect to the stacking direction of the drawn piece, are at most in a loose contact with one another and reliably engage with one another in a no-lock manner. The spacer knobs are arranged in the stack above one another in the same position have a common axis which extends approximately in the center and is situated parallel to the stacking direction. The spacer knobs have the same construction with respect to their dimensions and alignment and that the diameter of the respective knob opening on at least one partial circumferential area is smaller than the diameter of the knob base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Franz Waldhauser, Wolfgang Much
  • Patent number: 5749487
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preventing gush of fuel oil from the filler neck during the oil supplying. The oil dispersing device according to the invention is mounted at the inner end of the filler neck located in the fuel tank. The fuel oil dispersing device 10 includes a conical hollow dispersing plate 11 having a through hole formed at the top portion thereof, and a cylindrical extension rod 12 having a thread 13 formed at one end, and an insert 14 mounted at the other end. The dispersing plate 11 is mounted on the thread portion of the extension rod by means of a pair of nuts at both sides of the through hole. An insert 14 is provided for securely mounting the other end of the extension rod and for securing it within the lower end portion of filler neck. The end portion of filler neck 20 has a stepped section, and the insert is formed a lot of passages therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kim Sae Il
  • Patent number: 5746341
    Abstract: A container having a base portion including four vertical square tube members with one tube member at each corner of the base portion, and bottom surfaces of the base portion sloping inwardly to an elongated opening along the bottom of the base portion that is closed off by a trap door. The upper portion of the container is formed with four additional vertical square tube members that provide support for the upper sides of the container, with the upper square tube members and sides of the container being pinned to the lower vertical square tube members such that the four sides of the container can be folded downwardly onto the base portion when the container is emptied. When folded to an upright position the four upper sides interlock and are held in position by pressure from within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: David Alan Olson
  • Patent number: 5746346
    Abstract: A paint carrying receptacle and paint carrying device for transporting a multiplicity of paints within a cohesive, compartmented arrangement while maintaining the paints separate pending their application. The receptacle has a generally planar first side wall, a generally planar second side wall, an arcing third side wall, and a bottom wall all mutually sealingly engaged to form a liquid-tight wedge of a cylinder whereby a multiplicity of similar receptacles may be juxtaposed to for a generally cylindrical receptacle arrangement. The receptacles may approximate selected wedges of a cylinder such as one-half, one-third, or one-quarter cylinders. The paint carrying device has a bottom wall, at least one side wall sealingly engaged with and extending upwardly from the perimeter of the bottom wall, and at least one irremovable and sealingly engaged dividing wall for dividing an inner volume of the device into at least two permanently separate compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas G. Crilly
  • Patent number: 5746342
    Abstract: A five-piece container for items, such as bottles, comprises a bottom piece, a pair of side pieces of identical height and a pair of end pieces also of identical height; each side edge and each end edge of the bottom piece display a series of planar surfaces interspaced with a series of recessed areas in which is defined a hinge that engagedly receives a C-shaped extension formed at the lower edge of each side piece and of each end piece so that the side and end pieces may be mounted to the bottom piece through a snap engagement. The end pieces and the side pieces can be moved between an outward foldback position and an erected position; however, an inward folded position cannot be effected due to the configuration of the lower edge of the side pieces and of the end pieces and that of the edges of the bottom piece. The folding configuration is useful for containers that have walls higher than the width of the bottom thus preventing the walls from being folded inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: IPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Jacques, Roch Nolet
  • Patent number: 5740937
    Abstract: A combination pan includes a steamer pan having longitudinal and transverse grooves intersected at its bottom side and through holes aligned in the longitudinal and transverse grooves, and a frying pan detachably covered over the bottom side of the steamer pan and having longitudinally and transversely aligned flat blocks raised from the top side of its bottom wall and separated from one another by longitudinal and transverse grooves and a plurality of annular ribs concentrically raised from the bottom side of its bottom wall in the middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Frank Sheu
  • Patent number: 5738240
    Abstract: A composite shipping container primarily for shipping bulk liquids consisting of an inner plastic tank held upright by an outer support structure of mesh wire side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. This outer support structure forms a housing which is supported on a unitary tubular member pallet, which allows the composite shipping container to freely stand on a floor surface or stack upon a like composite shipping container. The unitary tubular member pallet is comprised of a single piece of metal tubing shaped into co-planar surfaces for the outer housing to rest on and shaped into feet to set the composite shipping container on a generally horizontal floor or other surface. The configuration of the unitary tubular member pallet reduces the amount of material required to complete the pallet and eases pallet construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Hoover Group, Inc,
    Inventors: Elaine Kay Vavra, Scott Charles Higgins, Dwight E. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5738235
    Abstract: A tank, especially adopted for use aboard a ship, for transporting liquid natural gas. The tank comprises two substantially identical hemispherical sections which are connected to each other via a cylindrical section. The diameter of the cylindrical section corresponds to the diameter of the spherical sections. The length of the cylindrical section is less than 1/3 of its diameter. Further, the tank meets the standards of a Type B classification according to the regulations of the International Maritime Organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Kvaerner Moss Technology a.s.
    Inventor: K.ang.re Rygg Johnsen
  • Patent number: 5735431
    Abstract: A bin comprises a bin bottom, forward and rearward opposing end walls, and first and second opposing side walls. The end walls and side walls extend up from the bottom and define a bin interior configured for holding product. The bottom comprises a support beam extending generally rearwardly from the forward end wall to the rearward end wall. The support beam is laterally spaced between the side walls. A plurality of stiffening ribs are between the support beam and side walls, and have generally straight lower edges. The support beam is generally arch shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Allibert-Contico, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Stephane F. LeTrudet
  • Patent number: 5732848
    Abstract: A container for storing adhesive and sealant materials comprising (a) a container having a closed bottom end and an open top end, (b) an insert in the form of a disk interposed between the closed bottom end of the container and the adhesive and sealant materials contained in the container, the disk having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the container, and (c) a sheath superimposed over one face of the disk to provide overlapping perimeter edges which are folded onto an exposed face of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Teroson GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Grab, Siegbert Papzien
  • Patent number: 5730314
    Abstract: A drawn and ironed can having a generally cylindrical side wall and an integral bottom including two annular rims is provided. The bottom of the can has a reduced volume configuration, wherein the upright can rests on an outer annular rim known as the heel, and an expanded volume configuration, wherein the upright can rests on an inner annular rim known as the nose. When a can in the reduced volume configuration is subject to an elevated internal pressure substantially less than the maximum working pressure, a portion of the can bottom comprising the nose moves axially downwardly relative to the rest of the can to serve as a new base, thus transitioning the can into the expanded volume configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch Incorporated
    Inventors: David J. Wiemann, David H. Henkelmann
  • Patent number: 5730307
    Abstract: A container side having an upper pan (6) and a lower part (7) hinged together by a hinge (19) so the upper part can pivot relative to the lower part. To substantially eliminate pressure loads on the hinge as are exerted by the load within the container of which the side is an element, load resisting means (12, 15) are provided to couple adjacent sides of the upper and lower parts. In a hinging sequence of the upper part (6) relative to the lower part (7) from a loading condition where the parts (6, 7) are overlying to an operational condition where they are coplanar, the load resisting means (12, 15) will automatically engage when the side parts (6, 7) approach the operational condition and will automatically disengage when the upper part (6) is hinged from the coplanar operational condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Ladislav Stephan Karpisek
  • Patent number: 5730311
    Abstract: A package for maintaining a modified atmosphere around contents being contained therein when stored in an ambient environment is set forth. The modified-atmosphere package includes a tray, a membrane, and a structural member. The tray has a base and side walls extending upwardly from the base. The side walls and the base define a cavity wherein the contents are disposed. A membrane is attached to a top portion of the side walls and encloses the cavity. The structural member is detachably connected to the top portion of the side walls and is disposed above the membrane to prevent the membrane from contacting an external structure which inhibits permeation through the membrane. The structural member also has at least one opening for exposing the membrane to the ambient environment. Stacking means at the base of the tray and the top of the structural member allow the modified-atmosphere packages to be easily stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Danny S. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5730315
    Abstract: The invention relates to drum containers provided with one or more rolling hoops. The drum has a continuous vertical side wall provided with one or more reinforced portions. Each of the reinforced portions is provided with an outwardly convex rolling hoop located between a pair of inwardly concave annular grooves formed in the side wall of the drum. The vertical dimensions of the grooves are at least twice the size of the grooves' depth, while the vertical dimension of the rolling hoop is at least twice the horizontal projection by which the rolling hoop extends outwardly from the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Jimmy A. Richoux
  • Patent number: 5727712
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for retaining ice in a drinking glass while permitting the beverage therein to be enjoyed. The device comprises a shield shaped to conform generally to at least a portion of an interior cross-section of the glass at a chosen distance below the lip thereof. The device further includes a stem attached at one end to the shield and at the other end to a clip. The stem is of a length so that the shield will be positioned at the chosen distance below the lip of the glass when the clip is engaged on the lip thereof. In the preferred embodiments, the shield is substantially the same size as the interior cross-section of the glass at the chosen distance and includes a plurality of holes sized to retain the ice in the glass while permitting the beverage to flow freely therethrough. In the most preferred embodiments, the clip is pivotally attached to the opposite end of the stem and spring biassed to firmly engage the lip of the drinking glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: James Joseph John Costello
  • Patent number: 5727710
    Abstract: Gas-tight container featuring an outer shell of metal or metal and plastic or metal and cellulose-containing material, a base, a lid and at least one side-wall. The container may be e.g. a can with, as viewed in plan view, a polygonal, round or oval cross-section. The base or part of the base of the gas-tight container exhibits a region which may be made to bulge and which is surrounded by an endless depression and, in the condition in which the can may be used, is in the form of a concave bulge. A container of this kind is such that one can readily recognize if the contents have suffered from spoiling or decomposition and, as a consequence, gas has been formed inside the container. If the pressure inside the container increases, the bulge is pushed outwards and, usefully, may form a convex bulge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Harald Severus, Andreas Ziegler, Juris Walter