Patents by Inventor James Tam Joines, Jr.

James Tam Joines, Jr. 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: 7552840
    Abstract: A disposable plate for carrying and serving food is disclosed. One particular aspect of the invention includes a plate with a substantially circular food-contact area with a substantially oval rim periphery. The rim is formed to make the plate easy to hold, with grooves adapted to accommodate fingers and/or thumbs. The present invention may be designed to segment the food storage areas of the plate into multiple compartments by using a divider wall. Also, the food-contact area can be slightly domed to force food to shift to the outer portion of the food-contact area and inhibit the food from slipping to the middle of the plate, thus keeping the plate center from sagging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: John Stewart Gitschlag, Stephen Alan Smith, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kimberly Vaile Healy, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Bryce G. Rutter, John Howard Loudenslager, Ryan J. Bruce, Brian C. Bone, Jan R. Stillerman
  • Patent number: 7246715
    Abstract: A reclosable lid 310 for a container holding a flowable substance has a cover 312 and a rotatable element 50 rotatably supported by the cover 312. The cover 312 has an opening 28 and a slot 30 located in a top wall 14 of the cover 312. The cover 312 also has a tab 323 extending outward from a portion of the cover 312. The rotatable element 50 has at least one aperture 78 and an actuator 54 that is accessible through the slot 30. The element 50 is moveable by manipulation of the actuator 54 between a first position wherein the aperture 78 is misaligned with the opening 28, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28. The cover 312 has at least one support member 102 extending radially inward from an inner surface 100 of the cover 312, wherein the support member 102 rotatably supports the element 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone, Heath A. Doty, Richard Michael Sandusky
  • Patent number: 7159732
    Abstract: A reclosable lid 10 for a container holding a flowable substance has a first piece or cover 12, and a movable second piece or disk 50. The cover 10 has a top wall 14, a side wall 16 and a mounting portion 22 for connecting the lid 10 on the container. The cover 12 has an opening 28 adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid 10. The cover 12 further includes a slot 30 located in the top wall 14. The disk 50 has at least one aperture 78, a post 54, and a projection 52. The aperture 78 and the projection 52 are each cooperatively dimensioned with the opening 28. The post 54 is adapted to be received by the slot 30 in the cover 12. The disk 50 is movable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the projection 52 is received in the opening 28 in the first position, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28 in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone, Heath A. Doty
  • Patent number: 7156251
    Abstract: A reclosable lid 10 for a container holding a flowable substance has a first piece or cover 12, and a movable second piece or disk 50. The cover 10 has a top wall 14, a side wall 16 and a mounting portion 22 for connecting the lid 10 on the container. The cover 12 has an opening 28 adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid 10. The cover 12 further includes a slot 30 located in the top wall 14. The disk 50 has at least one aperture 78, a post 54, and a projection 52. The aperture 78 and the projection 52 are each cooperatively dimensioned with the opening 28. The post 54 is adapted to be received by the slot 30 in the cover 12. The disk 50 is movable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the projection 52 is received in the opening 28 in the first position, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28 in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone, Heath A. Doty
  • Patent number: 7134566
    Abstract: A lid for a container holding a flowable substance has an annular top wall. A side wall depends from the top wall, and has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The top wall has an opening that is adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The top wall also has a retaining member. The lid further has a closure member positioned on the mounting portion. The closure member is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the closure member is received in the opening in the first position and at least a portion of the closure member is received in the retaining member in the second position. The opening and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the opening. The retaining member and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthiew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Brian Norman Clarke
  • Patent number: 7121422
    Abstract: A disposable plate for carrying and serving food is disclosed. One particular aspect of the invention includes a plate with a substantially circular food-contact area with a substantially oval rim periphery. The rim is formed to make the plate easy to hold, with grooves adapted to accommodate fingers and/or thumbs. The present invention may be designed to segment the food storage areas of the plate into multiple compartments by using a divider wall. Also, the food-contact area can be slightly domed to force food to shift to the outer portion of the food-contact area and inhibit the food from slipping to the middle of the plate, thus keeping the plate center from sagging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: John Stewart Gitschlag, Stephen Alan Smith, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kimberly Vaile Healy, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Bryce G. Rutter, John Howard Loudenslager, Ryan J. Bruce, Brian C. Bone, Jan R. Stillerman
  • Patent number: 6732875
    Abstract: A reclosable lid 10 for a container holding a flowable substance has a first piece or cover 12, and a movable second piece or disk 50. The cover 10 has a top wall 14, a side wall 16 and a mounting portion 22 for connecting the lid 10 on the container. The cover 12 has an opening 28 adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid 10. The cover 12 further includes a slot 30 located in the top wall 14. The disk 50 has at least one aperture 78, a post 54, and a projection 52. The aperture 78 and the projection 52 are each cooperatively dimensioned with the opening 28. The post 54 is adapted to be received by the slot 30 in the cover 12. The disk 50 is movable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the projection 52 is received in the opening 28 in the first position, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28 in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone, Heath A. Doty
  • Patent number: 6679397
    Abstract: A lid for a container holding a flowable substance has an annular top wall. A side wall depends from the top wall, and has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The top wall has an opening that is adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The top wall also has a retaining member. The lid further has a closure member positioned on the mounting portion. The closure member is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the closure member is received in the opening in the first position and at least a portion of the closure member is received in the retaining member in the second position. The opening and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the opening. The retaining member and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthiew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Brian Norman Clarke
  • Patent number: D508822
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Smith, Ayberk Abayhan, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Kimberly Vaile Healy, Ann McIntee, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Bryce G. Rutter, John Howard Loudenslager, Brian C. Bone, Jan R. Stillerman
  • Patent number: D514444
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone, Kevin Ray Smith
  • Patent number: D514445
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone, Kevin Ray Smith
  • Patent number: D476566
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone
  • Patent number: D477223
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone
  • Patent number: D478006
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone
  • Patent number: D486994
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Smith, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kimberly Vaile Healy, Bryce G. Rutter, John Howard Loudenslager, Brian C. Bone, Jan R. Stillerman
  • Patent number: D487669
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Smith, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kimberly Vaile Healy, Bryce G. Rutter, John Howard Loudenslager, Brian C. Bone, Jan R. Stillerman
  • Patent number: D489260
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Bryce G. Rutter, Brian C. Bone
  • Patent number: D497774
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen A. Smith, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kimberly Vaile Healy, Bryce G. Rutter, John Howard Loudenslager, Brian C. Bone, Jan R. Stillerman
  • Patent number: D498980
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Solo Cup Company
    Inventors: Stephen Alan Smith, John Stewart Gitschlag, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kimberly Vaile Healy, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Bryce G. Rutter, John Howard Loudenslager, Ryan J. Bruce, Brian C. Bone, Jan R. Stillerman