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).
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Publication number: 20120307024Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 6170662Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 22, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5957279Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 19, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5896686Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 3, 1996Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5806852Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5785171Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 1997Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5439103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 3, 1994Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5396578Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 28, 1993Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5283567Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 1991Date of Patent: February 1, 1994Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5099232Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 1990Date of Patent: March 24, 1992Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5076433Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 24, 1990Date of Patent: December 31, 1991Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 5056659Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Inventors: James P. Howes, Rocco Noschese
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Patent number: 5056681Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 1989Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 4911320Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 1988Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: 4505132Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 1983Date of Patent: March 19, 1985Assignee: J. P. Howes ProductionsInventors: James P. Howes, James E. Richardson
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Patent number: D314934Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1988Date of Patent: February 26, 1991Inventor: James P. Howes
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Patent number: D344638Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1992Date of Patent: March 1, 1994Inventors: James P. Howes, Michael A. Schreiber