Patents by Inventor James P. Howes

James P. Howes 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: 20120307024
    Abstract: A simulated product container, which is used as a prize award container, has a container shell and a video message delivery system. The video message delivery system has a lid that can be an actual lid of an actual product container. The video message delivery system has a body for insertion into an open end of the container shell, a tab and a tab opening mechanism to allow a consumer to open the simulated product container. When the simulated product container is opened, the tab is pushed into the interior of the body to reveal an opening in the lid. When light enters into the interior of the body, a light sensor activates a circuit so as to display a video image on a video display. A tab deflection mechanism deflects the tab so as to allow an unobstructed view of the video display through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 6170662
    Abstract: By providing a prize awarding system which is secretly incorporated into a multi-packed product or assembly, a unique prize delivery system is realized. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the prize award system incorporates a separate, independent housing constructed for being inserted into the void zone or open area which exists between the adjacent product holding containers forming a multi-pack assembly. Although the present invention is employable with any multi-pack product or assembly, products retained in cans, bottles, or similar vessels typically benefit most extensively from the present invention. In the present invention, the prize awarding system incorporates the actual prize or incorporates means for informing lucky consumers that a prize has been won, either in an audible or visual message delivery system, on certificates, vouchers, or similar printed materials, or in an electronic chip assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5957279
    Abstract: By employing the present invention, a delivery system comprising drinking straws as a holder or instrument for secretly retaining a prize award is realized. The drinking straws of the present invention may be randomly intermixed with conventional non-prize bearing drinking straws, while being incapable of detection prior to opening the cover or holder associated therewith. In this way, prize awards such as cash and/or miniature models of prizes being won are secretly hidden and randomly distributed to lucky customers who instantly win the prize award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5896686
    Abstract: By employing an award determining prize member incorporating a lens constructed to cooperate with printed indicia which produces a minimum of two separate and distinct visual images, depending upon the angle at which images are viewed, a unique and highly valued prize member is created, as well as prize award members which are incapable of having prize related information observed by the consumer prior to purchasing the item. In the present invention, the visual image representing the prize award information is quickly and easily mounted to the inside surface of a cap and is constructed with at least one image thereof being visible only when viewed at an angle which is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the indicia. In this way, advance determination of winning prize members by consumers prior to opening and removing the cap from the container is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5806852
    Abstract: By constructing an actual product in a distinctive and readily identifiable manner and distributing the uniquely constructed product with conventional products, a unique prize winning notifier or indicator for a promotional contest is realized. Preferably, each prize notifying or indicating product is manufactured as an actual, individual product, using generally conventional production method, and comprises a unique, distinguishable, feature or characteristic which designates such products as prize winners. As a result, prize identifying products are packaged and sold in direct association with non-prize related products, without any degradation, contamination, or other difficulties as previously encountered with prior art systems or promotional vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5785171
    Abstract: By employing the present invention, a delivery system comprising drinking straws as a holder or instrument for secretly retaining a prize award is realized. The drinking straws of the present invention are randomly intermixed with conventional non-prize bearing drinking straws, thereby being incapable of detection prior to opening the cover or holder associated therewith. In this way, prize awards such as cash and/or miniature models of prizes being won are secretly hidden and randomly distributed to lucky customers who instantly win the prize award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5439103
    Abstract: By providing an audible and/or visual prize related message delivery system 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 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 related message delivery system or may comprise a simulated product container bearing the prize related message delivery system without the actual product. In both embodiments, the container assembly is completely indistinguishable from non-prize bearing, product-holding containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5396578
    Abstract: By providing an audio recording and playback system with a measuring device, a unique integrated system is realized which enables users to easily record measured distances and have the measured distances subsequently played back for use. In the preferred embodiment, the audio recording and play back system is constructed in cooperative association with a tape measuring device and is automatically powered whenever the tape is extended from the housing. Then, by pressing an activation switch and orally stating the measurements that have been taken, the orally enunciated information is automatically stored in an associated analog storage array for being subsequently played back whenever required by the user. In this way, an easily employed and particularly convenient system is realized which eliminates the need for manually recording measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5283567
    Abstract: By providing an audible and/or visual prize related message delivery system 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 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 related message delivery system or may comprise a simulated product container bearing the prize related message delivery system without the actual product. In both embodiments, the container assembly is completely indistinguishable from non-prize bearing, product-holding containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5099232
    Abstract: By providing an audible and/or visual prize related message delivery system 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 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 related message delivery system or may comprise a simulated product container bearing the prize related message delivery system without the actual product. In both embodiments, the container assembly is completely indistinguishable from non-prize bearing, product-holding containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5076433
    Abstract: In the present invention, food product containers, holders, wrappers or instruments are constructed in a manner which enables these products to secretly retain a prize award, while being indistinguishable from non-prize bearing products. In this way, the prize-bearing product may be randomly distributed with conventional, non-prize bearing products, without having the existence of a prize award being discovered before opening by the consumer. By creating a prize retaining zone which is secretly and undiscoverably embedded in conventional food delivery products such as cups, straws, holders, containers, etc., prize awards such as cash, are secretly hidden and randomly distributed to lucky customers who instantly win the prize award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 5056659
    Abstract: By providing prize award holding means cooperatingly associated with a container shell which is closed in the conventional mammer, 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 indistinguishable from non-prize bearing, product-holding containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventors: James P. Howes, Rocco Noschese
  • 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: 4911320
    Abstract: By providing prize award holding means 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 indistinguishable from non-prize bearing, product-holding containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: 4505132
    Abstract: A display cooler is described formed of a self-supporting bin structure having a central cavity to hold products such as beverages and having upper located recesses sized to receive ice packs. The bin structure is formed of axially partitioned mating halves which form an externally cylindrical surface adapted to receive a display panel that is wrapped around the bin structure. The halves are held together with bands and a liner is employed inside the cavity. A drain is located at the bottom of the liner to enable removal of water condensed onto cool surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: J. P. Howes Productions
    Inventors: James P. Howes, James E. Richardson
  • Patent number: D314934
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: James P. Howes
  • Patent number: D344638
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventors: James P. Howes, Michael A. Schreiber