Patents by Inventor Gerald R. Sorensen
Gerald R. Sorensen 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).
-
Patent number: 5636740Abstract: An efficient, economical container closure means of a functional and decorative nature includes elements connectable together to provide a relatively simple, inexpensive, reliable, easy operable closure for dispensing a wide variety of materials and to provide a changeable decorative ornamental appearance. The elements include a base with an opening therein connectable to a container to close or restrict an opening therein, a cap tethered to the base operable to close the opening therein and having a connecting means cooperable with a decorative means.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1994Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Finkiewicz, Gerald R. Sorensen
-
Patent number: 5489050Abstract: A three piece closure for selectively controlling flow of product from a container, and method of manufacture, are disclosed. The closure includes an inner member, an outer member and an insert disposed therebetween. The inner member is adapted for attachment to a necked opening of the container. The outer member has a base portion, a top portion, and an inward flange disposed substantially circumferentially about the base of the outer member. The insert has a base portion and a radially outward flange disposed substantially circumferentially about the base portion. Upon insertion of the insert into the outer member, the outward flange passes the inward flange to provide cooperative engagement with the inward flange such that axial movement of the outer member causes axial movement of the insert to control the flow of the product.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1994Date of Patent: February 6, 1996Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Finkiewicz, Gerald R. Sorensen, John E. Sowinski
-
Patent number: 5467903Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a measured amount of granular product, such as powdered flavoring for milk, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a container having an open end and a dispenser secured thereto. The container open end is upwardly oriented when the container is in an upward position and the open end is downwardly oriented when the container is in an inverted position. The dispenser covers the container open end and includes a first chamber, a second chamber and a spout. Product moves from the container to the first chamber when the container is rotated from the upward position to the inverted position. Product moves from the first chamber to the second chamber when the container is subsequently rotated from the inverted position to the upward position. Product moves from the second chamber to exit the dispenser through the spout when the container is subsequently rotated from the upward position to the inverted position.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1994Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventors: Gerald R. Sorensen, Raymond J. Gradecki
-
Patent number: 5312001Abstract: A display assembly for sequentially dispensing a plurality of card-like samples in an upright position is disclosed. The assembly comprises a planar back panel, a retaining member having a pivotable hinge and receiving member for engaging the retaining member to the back panel for maintaining the card-like samples in upright contact with the back panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1993Date of Patent: May 17, 1994Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventor: Gerald R. Sorensen
-
Patent number: 5168646Abstract: A method of creating apparent motion on a two-dimensional surface, the surface being illumination responsive to a directed moving reference of light source. The method comprising the steps of devising on a tracing sheet at least one pattern of apparent motion to be created on the surface. Dividing the pattern into a plurality of discrete and spatially related zones. Next a direction of apparent motion to be created within each zone is determined. The pattern and zones thereof are then transferred onto the surface of a light responsive deformable material. On the surface is found a plurality of grooves corresponding to each zone. The grooves in the direction of apparent motion are progressively angled relative to the directed moving reference of light source from about 90 degrees through about 180 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1991Date of Patent: December 8, 1992Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventors: John Dippong, Gerald R. Sorensen
-
Patent number: 5085611Abstract: An amusement device for a bicycle wheel is disclosed. According to the present invention, the amusement device comprises a whistle, and a means for attaching the whistle to the wheel such that when the wheel rotates, wind passes through the whistle and produces a sound audible to a human ear. The present whistle 10 is a reversible whistle because it will produce a noise when air flows into the whistle from two different directions. The present invention is a double whistle because it funnels air from one direction into two separate whistle elements. The whistle 10 is also a double reversible whistle 10 because it can funnel air into two different whistle elements with air flowing in two different directions.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1990Date of Patent: February 4, 1992Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventors: Gerald R. Sorensen, Raymond J. Gradecki, Daniel J. E. Finkiewicz
-
Patent number: 5038944Abstract: A display rack for displaying and dispensing windshield wipers contained in elongated individual containers having a mounting hole at one end is disclosed. The display rack is configured as a one-piece element having a wall-mounting back portion and a top shelf extending forwardly from the top of the back portion. Forwardly extending L-shaped hangers for hanging the containers are supported by insertion into apertures in a pair of horizontal rails extending laterally along a lower portion of the back portion. Alignment of the individual hangers into a parallel forwardly extending array is provided by alignment extensions disposed on the upper rail which nestingly aligningly receive portions of the forwardly extending hangers. Suitable integral extension webs joining the back portion and the rails add strength to the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1990Date of Patent: August 13, 1991Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventors: Gerald R. Sorensen, Raymond J. Gradecki, Joseph A. Brhel
-
Patent number: 4999465Abstract: A switch plate cover for a wall switch having a switch actuator is disclosed. The cover comprises a generally elongated panel folded substantially about a transverse fold line to form an outer member and an adjacent, inner member. The outer member includes a graphic representation having an aperture extending through the outer member. The cover further comprises a slot disposed along the fold line. A slide is disposed between the outer and inner members and extends through the slot. The slide includes a tongue extending outwardly through the slot. The tongue includes an opening for receiving the switch actuator. The slide moves between first and second positions in response to actuation of the switch between respective on and off switch positions. The slide further includes a first graphic indicia aligned with the aperture when the slide is in one of the first or second positions.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1990Date of Patent: March 12, 1991Inventors: Marvin G. Kuhlman, Gerald R. Sorensen, Raymond J. Gradecki
-
Patent number: 4785946Abstract: Unique structural members for retail merchandising display, especially gondola shelving displays comprising an elongated framing extrusion being generally I-shaped in transverse profile to define two parallel longitudinal channels, an elongated linking/framing extrusion having a longitudinal channel along one side and on an other side a curved grasping arm parallel to a like curved hinging arm, and a merchandising display component support extrusion having a plurality of vertically aligned and stacked generally L-shaped longitudinal channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1986Date of Patent: November 22, 1988Assignee: National Creative Merchandising Corp.Inventor: Gerald R. Sorensen
-
Patent number: 4697710Abstract: The carpet display stand of the present invention generally comprises a support assembly having at least four legs. The support assembly carries a basket deferred by vertical and horizontal framing pieces. The basket further includes a multitude of horizontal wires which have at least one depressed or U-shaped section connected with the vertical basket framing wires. A basket support wire joins the depressed section of the formed horizontal wires. The basket also includes a unique friction clip device formed from a plurality of eveny-spaced, integrally-formed loop-shaped strutures. Adjacent clip devices define a slot between which corners of the carpet samples are downwardly inserted.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1985Date of Patent: October 6, 1987Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Gradecki, James M. McLaughlin, Gerald R. Sorensen
-
Patent number: 4671416Abstract: An improved eyeglass merchandizing display eliminating use of display panel openings for supporting pairs of eyeglasses comprising a vertical panel having a planar display surface. Integrally formed on the display surface are aligned pairs of eyeglass holding members including a base leg projecting from the display surface and a support leg angularly joined to the base leg. The support leg angling inward to the display surface and preferably the base leg angling slightly upward toward the top of the panel to snuggly carry eyeglasses on the support members and displaying said eyeglasses in a position parallel to the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1986Date of Patent: June 9, 1987Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventor: Gerald R. Sorensen
-
Patent number: 4640029Abstract: A display device comprising a display panel having a window therein, a flat continuous tape in the form of a mobius strip having indicia on both sides thereof, and a support member removably secured to the display panel such that a portion of the tape is supported between the display panel and the support member so that a portion of the tape and the indicia thereon are displayed in the window.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1984Date of Patent: February 3, 1987Assignee: DCI MarketingInventors: Richard P. Hornblad, Gerald R. Sorensen
-
Patent number: D310624Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1988Date of Patent: September 18, 1990Assignee: National Creative Merchandising Corp.Inventors: Raymond J. Gradecki, Gerald R. Sorensen, Daniel J. Finkiewicz
-
Patent number: D319617Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1989Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: National Creative Merchandising Corp.Inventor: Gerald R. Sorensen
-
Patent number: D319852Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1989Date of Patent: September 10, 1991Assignee: National Creative Merchandising Corp.Inventors: Gerald R. Sorensen, Marvin G. Kuhlman
-
Patent number: D333591Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1991Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Gradecki, Gerald R. Sorensen, Steven Holt
-
Patent number: D370832Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: NCM International, Inc.Inventors: Gerald R. Sorensen, Raymond J. Gradecki