Patents Examined by Steven M. Pollard
  • Patent number: 5725118
    Abstract: A container for holding product therein during shipment and comprises a body including a base, rigid side walls and a removable cover. The body has at least one open side and a first product grid is positioned in the body and forms a first plurality of generally horizontally disposed product bins. The product bins have outside open ends and are disposed such that the outside open ends face outwardly of an open side of the container for horizontally receiving a product to be shipped and for providing horizontal access to the product from a side of the container. A second plurality of bins is juxtaposed with the first plurality and flexible wall is positioned between the two bin pluralities to form end walls for the bins. The flexible end walls create an expansible bin. The container body also includes a mounting structure thereon for securing at least one additional rigid side wall to the body for forming a container body closed on all sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Bradford Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Slager, William J. Vroon, Brian E. Bouwens
  • Patent number: 5722553
    Abstract: Presented is an integral assembly (2) of hollow tubes and seal caps (16) therefor arranged in an elongated aligned and integral assembly in which multiple tubes (1) each symmetrical about a longitudinal axis (3) and having a closed end (12) and an open end (6) are formed in side-by-side spaced relationship in a linear series in which adjacent tubes are integrally interconnected by a tether (13) to form an elongated strip (2). A multiplicity of seal caps (16) corresponding in number to the aligned series of tubes are independently, angularly and integrally flexibly connected to associated tubes. The seal caps, when in tube-open condition, are each symmetrical about an axis (17) parallel to the axes of the tubes and correspond in spacing and in number to the tubes. A hinge strap (14) is provided integrally interposed between each tube and the associated seal cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Hovatter
  • Patent number: 5722556
    Abstract: A reserve tank includes a tank body having an opening for pouring coolant into the tank body and a cap closing the first opening. The cap includes an overflow passage for discharging overheated coolant and vapor to the exterior of the tank body. The overflow passage has a second opening which opens in a downward direction. The overflow passage is formed in a groove shape on an inner surface of the cap. Additionally, when the cap fits onto the opening, a sloped portion is provided in the tank body to face the second opening portion. As a result, overflowing heated coolant and vapor are discharged from the second opening through the overflow passage, and are smoothly discharged along the sloped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Kyoraku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ota, Hiroyuki Kosaka
  • Patent number: 5722560
    Abstract: Legs for a utility tub each have an upper end portion including a mounting surface disposed in a region of an interior corner of the leg. Pockets are disposed adjacent a bottom wall of the utility tub. Fasteners may be used to mount each of the mounting surfaces in one of the pockets. The L-shape of each leg is formed by two leg sections that converge to form a corner of the leg. Each of the leg sections has an outer peripheral edge at the upper end portion that is inwardly tapered at an angle of about 5.degree. from a vertical axis. A slot at the corner of each leg forms an inner peripheral edge on each leg section. Each inner peripheral edge has a taper that extends inwardly at an angle of about 5.degree. from a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: E. L. Mustee & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mustee, William Edward Trsek
  • Patent number: 5722557
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher enclosure, particularly adapted for supporting a cylindrical tank fire extinguisher underslung from warehouse, warehouse-type retail store and industrial goods support racking includes an elongated, generally rectangular or cylindrical tubular body folded along a bottom side to form a cradle for the fire extinguisher. The body is open at one end and is connected to a flanged, generally planar support member engageable with a horizontal beam part of said racking structure. The opposite end of the enclosure includes a generally planar upstanding support plate having a transverse flange for connection to a second, generally horizontal support beam of the racking structure. The enclosure is adapted for easy access and high visibility while providing an out-of-the-way storage place for fire extinguishers required in installations wherein a vertical wall or other structure is not available or is undesirable for supporting a fire extinguisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Richard D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5720405
    Abstract: A collapsible container with four side panels (15, 16, 17, 18) all at least semi-permanently connected to a base (10) by links (11, 41) allowing the panels (15, 16, 17, 18) to be moved between an upstanding condition on the base (1) where they are retained by engagement of bottom panel flanges (40) with channels (13, 14) on the base (10) and can be coupled by coupling means (19, 23) releasably secured by securing means (21, 22) to a collapsed condition by folding down the pannels (15, 16, 17, 18) into an overlying relationship. The link means (FIGS. 4-6) allowing the panels to move normally to their plane to disengage the flanges with the channels and then to pivot inwards to a horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Ladislav Stephan Karpisek
  • Patent number: 5715968
    Abstract: A hand carried shopping basket 2 is configured so that it may be carried with a shopper's arm 6 hanging closer to the shopper's body 8 with the palm facing naturally and in an anatomically-neutral position toward the body. The shopping basket has two elongated, longitudinal sides 12, two lateral sides 20 and a bottom 10. All sides are generally trapezoidally-shaped, and at least one of the longitudinal sides has a concave shape 18. Pivotally mounted to the lateral sides within a protrusion 34 and aligned generally parallel to a longitudinal axis are a pair of spaced apart, elongated handle structures 44 which combine and engage one another over the longitudinal axis. To facilitate stackability of the basket, the handles have angled pillars 52 which enable each handle to be pivoted to an exterior position and provide open access to the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventors: Stacey M. Fink, Karen L. Ketner-Fink
  • Patent number: 5711452
    Abstract: A cover 10 for a drink receptacle 12 wherein the cover 10 is provided with a pair of valve members 55 for simultaneously controlling the flow of fluid through a fluid supply chamber 26 and a vent chamber 27 by means of an actuator element 50 which is mounted for reciprocation between the base unit 20 and the lid unit 40 of the cover 10 by means of a handle element 51 which extends beyond the periphery of the base unit 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Chaffin
  • Patent number: 5709313
    Abstract: A drum outlet and closure apparatus for use with cylindrical steel drums provides an outlet fitting with a peripheral shoulder that is generally S-shaped to accept a cap seal (such as a commercially available metallic cap seal). The shoulder thus protects an inwardly spaced threaded section. In another embodiment, the drum outlet is formed of parent metal of the drum end, formed into an annular shoulder and then partially threaded. An upper unthreaded section is folded to define a closure sealing surface. The threaded section accepts a threaded closure fitting. An unthreaded lower interior section provides enhanced strength and protects the threading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: E & H Investments
    Inventors: Jimmy Richoux, Ty Techera
  • Patent number: 5706967
    Abstract: In order to improve the security and ease of operation of a safety lock, especially for vehicle fuel tanks, comprising a plug (3) with a sealing section (3a) which can be fitted on the aperture of a connector nipple (2), a locking device (5), especially in the form of clamping jaws by means of which the plug (3) fitted on the connector nipple (2) can be releasably secured thereto, an actuating device (7), especially in the form of a push-on sleeve, and a vent (10) to release pressure which is connected to the connector nipple (2) in the region of the sealing section (3a). It is proposed that inside the safety lock (1) be fitted an axially movable piston (8) coupled to a locking component (9), for the actuating device (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Weh GmbH, Verbindung Technik
    Inventors: Wolfgang Weh, Erwin Weh
  • Patent number: 5706973
    Abstract: A drinking cup having a body portion and a removably attached cover including an offset drinking spout and an offset vent aperture. The drinking spout and the vent aperture are each surrounded by wall members which depend generally away from an interior surface of the cover. An air inlet flow control valve is coupled to the wall member surrounding the vent aperture while a liquid outlet flow control valve is coupled to the wall member surrounding the spout. Each flow control valve includes a domed elastomeric member containing a slit allowing for passage of a selected fluid therethrough. The domed portions are each surrounded by a generally circular isolating channel, and outside of each isolating channel is a perimetral portion for connecting the flow control valve to the depending wall portion of the cover. Fluids passing through the slits achieve substantially only a one-way passage as the domed curvature substantially prevents any backflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: E. S. Robbins Corporation
    Inventors: Edward S. Robbins, III, Gregory S. Burcham
  • Patent number: 5706970
    Abstract: For fastening an equalizing tank of plastic material on a water tank made of plastic material, a three-point or multipoint mating connection is provided. The multipoint mating connection is joined together in the horizontal direction and includes a mating point situated in the region of an end wall of the equalizing tank and two or more mating points which are situated at a distance therefrom and from one another, preferably in the region of the bottom of the equalizing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Helmut Dobler, Siegfried Jenz
  • Patent number: 5704512
    Abstract: A pressure vessel made of plastic consists of an intermediate tubular part closed at each end by an integral end wall. The vessel includes an internally centered tubular part interconnected to said intermediate part by radially extending partition walls. The walls form a plurality of interconnected fluid compartments. The internal walls receive and transmit axial forces operating on the end walls into all walls of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventors: Ingemar Falk, Tomas Carlsson
  • Patent number: 5699929
    Abstract: A garbage container including a body member for containing garbage therein, the body member having an upper opening; a lid member for closing the upper opening of the body member, the lid member having a handle provided on an upper surface thereof, the handle being gripped with a hand of a user for moving the lid member to close or open the upper opening of the body member; an engageable member which is provided on one of the body member and the lid member and which is engageable with the other of the body member and the lid member to prevent the lid member from separating from the body member; and an operable member which is operable by the user for moving or displacing the engageable member between an engaged position where the engageable member is engaged with the other of the body member and the lid member and a disengaged position where the engageable member is disengaged from the other of the body member and the lid member, the operable member being provided on, or in a vicinity of, the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Taiichi Ouno
  • Patent number: 5699926
    Abstract: The invention described consists of a five-piece container for carrying bottles and of a stabilizer tablet for steadying the bottles in their vertical position in the container. The container comprises a bottom piece formed of plastics material and of opposite side pieces and opposite end pieces also formed of plastics material and hingedly connected to the side and end edges of the bottom piece whereby the side pieces and the end pieces may be pivoted between an erected position and an outward foldback position and vice-versa. The stabilizer tablet consists of a flat board displaying a series of openings each having a size to engage the neck portions of the bottles and to thereby minimize up, down, and sideway movements of the bottles in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: IPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Jacques, Roch Nolet
  • Patent number: 5697516
    Abstract: The holder for a starch can of the invention has a solid, flat, circular, exterior bottom wall with an upwardly extending circumferencial sidewall having an inner and an outer surface. The sidewall extends upwardly from the periphery of the bottom wall. The inner surface of the bottom wall has an upwardly directed convex dome shape. An inner outwardly directed peripheral groove is located at the juncture of the inner sidewall surface and the outer most portion of the inner surface of the bottom wall. The above described holder for a starch can is preferably made from a light weight, hard plastic and may be produced in a variety of colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Glenda L. Crocker
    Inventors: Glenda L. Crocker, Mildred L. Carter
  • Patent number: 5697602
    Abstract: A container (10) for a filter (12) has a cylindrical housing (16) receiving the filter (12) and permitting replacement of the filter (12) from an open end. An enlarged diameter fitting (22) is secured about the open end of the cylindrical housing (16) and has retaining lugs (30) for retaining a removable end cap assembly. The removable end cap assembly has an anchor plate (40) with projections (46) that are received within arcuate slots (32) of the end fitting (22). The anchor plate (40) is coupled to an end cap (42) for rotation to position the projections (46) beneath the lugs (30) to restrain outward movement of the anchor plate (40). A single bolt (44) through the end cap (42) is threaded to the anchor plate (40). Rotation of the bolt draws the anchor plate (40) tightly against the lugs (30). The end cap (42) is simultaneously forced against an O-ring (36) disposed on the outer end (50) of fitting (22) for sealing the end cap to the container. An embodiment of FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Valycontrol S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Carlos J. Guerra Cisneros, Jose A. Rico Mora
  • Patent number: 5695088
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a trash bag in a container is disclosed, where the apparatus has a substantially flat main body. The main body has a front surface and a back surface and the back surface has a mounting member attached thereto. A retaining tab extends substantially perpendicular from the front surface of the main body. A central membrane is located on the retaining tab and has a number of slits which form a number of flaps in the membrane, which deform when pressed to received and retain the trash bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: SpecTech, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kasbohm
  • Patent number: 5692631
    Abstract: Container for transporting, storing and dispensing chemical products, including an inner shell made of fluoroplastic, particularly PFA, fitted at its upper part with a stopper device traversed by filling and dispensing connections, and an outer shell exhibiting a substantially cylindrical outer shape and an inner shape substantially matching that of the inner shell.The outer shell (1) is made up of a cylindrical part (6) which, at its lower part, is integral with a base (7) of quadrilateral cross-section and of greater cross-sectional area than that of the cylindrical part of the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Marie-Anne Tillard, Christian Colin, Werner Buttner, Winfried Trinkaus, Martin Benzinger
  • Patent number: 5692626
    Abstract: An integral dual compartment container includes a pair of container bodies positioned back-to-back relative to one another. Each of the container bodies includes respective upper and lower container body portions. The upper body portions each has an opening and is asymmetrically disposed relative to the respective lower container body portions thereof. A handle spans the upper container body portions so as to establish a generally rectangular space therebelow. A pair of generally vertically oriented attachment flanges integrally attach a respective end of the handle to the upper container body portion, while a generally vertically oriented connecting flange extends continuously between the opposed rear walls of the container bodies and connects them in a back-to-back relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Wehrle, Neil P. Stapensea, Douglas J. Mattson, Ted E. Piatt, Joseph P. Quinn