Patents by Inventor Cynthia R. Meissen

Cynthia R. Meissen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20150164591
    Abstract: A sharps container includes a sub-lid that normally defines an opening into the container that is too small for a hand. Upon closure of the sub-lid, the opening is enlarged so that larger objects can be placed in the container while the closure of the sub-lid continues to prevent a hand from reaching into the container interior. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Derick Foster, Cynthia R. Meissen, Ryan C. Meers, Margaret McCanless
  • Patent number: 8967056
    Abstract: A nestable pallet includes a deck having an upper panel, a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the upper panel to the lower panel. The upper panel further includes a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet when nested. The lower panel further includes a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck, each foot having a cavity defined therein lined within one of the plurality of openings in the upper panel. Each cavity is configured to receive a foot from a similar pallet when nested therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda, Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Patent number: 8893884
    Abstract: A sharps container includes a sub-lid that normally defines an opening into the container that is too small for a hand. Upon closure of the sub-lid, the opening is enlarged so that larger objects can be placed in the container while the closure of the sub-lid continues to prevent a hand from reaching into the container interior. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Derick Foster, Cynthia R. Meissen, Ryan C. Meers, Margaret McCanless
  • Publication number: 20140000493
    Abstract: A nestable pallet includes a deck having an upper panel, a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the upper panel to the lower panel. The upper panel further includes a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet when nested. The lower panel further includes a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck, each foot having a cavity defined therein lined within one of the plurality of openings in the upper panel. Each cavity is configured to receive a foot from a similar pallet when nested therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda, Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Patent number: 8448805
    Abstract: A container includes a base wall and a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from side edges of the base wall. A first end wall and a second end wall extend upward from end edges of the base wall. A lid is hingeably connected to each of the side walls. A first protrusion protrudes from an upper edge of the first end wall for hooking onto a bag in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Jon P. Hassell, Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Publication number: 20120067753
    Abstract: A sharps container includes a sub-lid that normally defines an opening into the container that is too small for a hand. Upon closure of the sub-lid, the opening is enlarged so that larger objects can be placed in the container while the closure of the sub-lid continues to prevent a hand from reaching into the container interior. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Derick Foster, Cynthia R. Meissen, Ryan C. Meers, Margaret McCanless
  • Publication number: 20110062161
    Abstract: A container includes a base wall and a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from side edges of the base wall. A first end wall and a second end wall extend upward from end edges of the base wall. A lid is hingeably connected to each of the side walls. A first protrusion protrudes from an upper edge of the first end wall for hooking onto a bag in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Jon P. Hassell, Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Publication number: 20110024430
    Abstract: A reusable biohazard waste container is configured such that the container can be transported without requiring any additional packaging elements. A lid is pivotally connected to the container and is movable between an open position and a closed position. A latch secures the lid to the container when in the closed position such that the container is capable of holding liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Cynthia R. Meissen, Nathan Manuel, Kyle L. Baltz
  • Patent number: 7861863
    Abstract: A tray for bakery items includes a floor and side walls extending around a periphery of the floor. The tray has a relatively thin upper edge with a bail member pivotably attached to the upper edge along at least one of the first and second pairs of side walls. The bail member is rotatable between a stack orientation wherein a like tray may be rested upon the bail member, and a nest orientation in which like trays may be nested within like trays. Further, one or more side walls also includes a relatively large continuous opening therein capable of retrieving bakery items stored in the tray through the at least one pair of side walls, the opening extending generally from the upper edge to the periphery of the floor. In another embodiment, at least one of the sidewalls is pivotably attached to the floor and is movable between an upright position and a collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Publication number: 20100326871
    Abstract: A tray for bakery items includes a floor and side walls extending around a periphery of the floor. The tray has a relatively thin upper edge with a bail member pivotably attached to the upper edge along at least one of the first and second pairs of side walls. The bail member is rotatable between a stack orientation wherein a like tray may be rested upon the bail member, and a nest orientation in which like trays may be nested within like trays. Further, one or more side walls also includes a relatively large continuous opening therein capable of retrieving bakery items stored in the tray through the at least one pair of side walls, the opening extending generally from the upper edge to the periphery of the floor. In another embodiment, at least one of the sidewalls is pivotably attached to the floor and is movable between an upright position and a collapsed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Patent number: 7735429
    Abstract: A connector selectively connects at least two support structures to provide a larger, rigid support structure. The connector includes a body portion from which extends downward a center support portion. A pair of outer sleeves extend downwardly from the body portion on opposite sides of the center support portion, each outer sleeve extending downwardly less than the center support portion. In use, the outer sleeves are inserted through openings in the support structures into the feet of the support structures. The body portion rests on the decks of the support structures and the center support portion extend downward from the body portion between the support structures. The center support portion is sized to extend to the floor when the connector is connected to the support structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Publication number: 20100132311
    Abstract: A crate includes a bottom wall including a plurality of dividers defining a plurality of container pockets and a peripheral wall extending upward from a periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and peripheral wall are thermoformed from a single sheet of plastic, such as recycled PET bottles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Sean T. Ogburn, Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Publication number: 20100108675
    Abstract: In one example of the present invention, a medical waste container assembly includes a container having a base portion and an upper edge and a secondary lid located adjacent the upper edge of the container having a door hingeably attached to the secondary lid with the door being trimmed from a portion of the secondary lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Cynthia R. Meissen, Kyle L. Baltz
  • Patent number: 7699184
    Abstract: A bottle carrier includes a plurality of walls. At least one of the walls includes a recess on an exterior surface for retaining a bottle thereon, when the carrier is in a horizontal orientation and the bottle is in a horizontal orientation partially disposed in the recess. The carrier may be stackable and connectable to similar carriers to form display or storage racks. At least one of the walls includes a plurality of feet extending therefrom. The feet are interlockable with feet on a similar carrier. When similar carriers are stacked, the feet interlock to improve the stability of the stacked carriers. Adjacent carriers may be connected via corks or other connectors inserted into adjacent walls of the carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Patent number: 7677405
    Abstract: A crate includes a bottom wall including a plurality of dividers defining a plurality of container pockets and a peripheral wall extending upward from a periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and peripheral wall are thermoformed from a single sheet of plastic, such as recycled PET bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Sean T. Ogburn, Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Publication number: 20100037565
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lid for a waste container having a first portion pivotably connected to a second portion. The first portion includes a first handle and a first protrusion and the second portion includes a second handle and a second protrusion. The first protrusion engages the second protrusion to prevent the first portion from rotating relative to the second portion past a threshold angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Patent number: 7562785
    Abstract: A case includes removable upper side walls and collapsible upper end walls. The upper side walls each include a central opening for supporting the upper side wall horizontally on a bottle and a plurality of peripheral openings on which empty glasses may be supported. Each of the upper end walls includes a plurality of openings for supporting bottles in a vertical position when the upper end wall is in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Publication number: 20090107998
    Abstract: A plurality of containers and system and method for making a plurality of different containers from a minimum number of molds, with some inserts, provides multiple container sizes from the same mold utilizing inserts to reduce the size of the mold. In one embodiment, to accommodate various lid designs, a rim is connected to the upper edge of the container. The rim can be formed in various configurations from a single mold using mold inserts. The various rim configurations accommodate different lids. Providing the mold inserts on the rim (which is a very shallow part) is much simpler than providing such inserts on the container itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Patent number: 7484621
    Abstract: A tray includes a floor and a pair of opposed side walls, each having a cutout, one of which is larger to form the dropside. A pair of bail members are pivotably and slidably secured to opposed end walls. The bail members are supported by the end walls at a plurality of selected heights. The bail member is arranged to provide structural support to the dropside of a similar tray stacked thereon. The stiffness of the support is increased by the design of the bail member, which has a support portion with an elongated cross section. The elongated cross section is maintained in a vertical orientation when the bail member is in any of the stacking positions. In this manner, the dropside can have a large cutout without deflecting substantially during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Patent number: 7464827
    Abstract: A shipping unit for shipping items of varying length defines first and second tray sections which are connected and selectively move relative to one another to accommodate items of varying lengths. The first and second tray sections include base portions that allow shipping units to be stacked upon one another. Alternatively, the shipping unit includes a tray and a lid. The lid is connected to the tray and defines a tab and a slot on an end of the lid opposite the tab. The shipping units are connected by snap fitting the tab of one shipping unit into the slot of another shipping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Cynthia R. Meissen