Patents by Inventor Justin Smyers

Justin Smyers 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: 9850042
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. A method of merchandising lids and vessels is described, wherein a lid is provided for separate purchase, a plurality of vessels of different materials is provided for separate purchase which are configured to match to the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Nicolsson Fernandes, Steven M. Grider, Ken S. Tran
  • Patent number: 9827730
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a lid for attachment to a vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion, includes injection molding from a molten plastic material a first shot structure defining a web portion, a peripheral portion surrounding the web portion; in a second shot procedure, over-molding an elastomeric material different from said plastic material onto the first short structure to form a seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure, wherein the seal structure portion is permanently adhered to the peripheral portion of the first shot structure, and wherein the seal structure portion is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Smyers
  • Patent number: 9643757
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. A method of merchandising lids and vessels is described, wherein a lid is provided for separate purchase, a plurality of vessels of different materials is provided for separate purchase which are configured to match to the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Nicolsson Fernandes, Steven M. Grider, Ken S. Tran
  • Patent number: 9295349
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a vessel-lid combination includes a ceramic or glass vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge, a lid fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure. The lid is configured to attach to the open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid and the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Smyers
  • Publication number: 20150314911
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. A method of merchandising lids and vessels is described, wherein a lid is provided for separate purchase, a plurality of vessels of different materials is provided for separate purchase which are configured to match to the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Nicolsson Fernandes, Steven M. Grider, Ken S. Tran
  • Publication number: 20150291323
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. A method of merchandising lids and vessels is described, wherein a lid is provided for separate purchase, a plurality of vessels of different materials is provided for separate purchase which are configured to match to the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Nicolsson Fernandes, Steven M. Grider, Ken S. Tran
  • Patent number: 9108776
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. Another feature of an embodiment of a lid is the capability of lid nesting of multiple lids with interference fit between adjacent lids to lock the lids together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Nicolsson Fernandes, Steven M. Grider, Ken S. Tran
  • Publication number: 20150136793
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a vessel-lid combination includes a ceramic or glass vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge, a lid fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure. The lid is configured to attach to the open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid and the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Justin Smyers
  • Patent number: 8870021
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a vessel-lid combination includes a ceramic or glass vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge, a lid fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure. The lid is configured to attach to the open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid and the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Smyers
  • Publication number: 20140284840
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a lid for attachment to a vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion, includes injection molding from a molten plastic material a first shot structure defining a web portion, a peripheral portion surrounding the web portion; in a second shot procedure, over-molding an elastomeric material different from said plastic material onto the first short structure to form a seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure, wherein the seal structure portion is permanently adhered to the peripheral portion of the first shot structure, and wherein the seal structure portion is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Snapware Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Smyers
  • Patent number: 8678230
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a vessel-lid combination includes a glass, ceramic or metal vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge, a lid fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure integrated with the lid to form a unitary structure. The lid is configured to attach to the open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid and the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel. In one exemplary embodiment, the vessel is a container fabricated of a glass suitable for baking or oven heating applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Smyers
  • Patent number: 8534492
    Abstract: A storage system including, in an exemplary embodiment, a unitary open-topped container, and an air-tight lid system, suitable for storage of food items. The lid system includes a plastic lid including a cover portion and a plurality of lid latches connected to the lid cover portion by living hinges, and a seal gasket fitted into an inner seal channel formed in a lid peripheral region. The latches are configured for movement between extended positions in which the lid is removable from the container, and a latching position in which latch features engage a peripheral edge of the container to secure the lid and gasket in a sealed position on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Michael E. Williams
  • Publication number: 20130233854
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. Another feature of an embodiment of a lid is the capability of lid nesting of multiple lids with interference fit between adjacent lids to lock the lids together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Nicolsson Fernandes, Steven M. Grider, Ken S. Tran
  • Publication number: 20120248116
    Abstract: A storage system including, in an exemplary embodiment, a unitary open-topped container, and an air-tight lid system, suitable for storage of food items. The lid system includes a plastic lid including a cover portion and a plurality of lid latches connected to the lid cover portion by living hinges, and a seal gasket fitted into an inner seal channel formed in a lid peripheral region. The latches are configured for movement between extended positions in which the lid is removable from the container, and a latching position in which latch features engage a peripheral edge of the container to secure the lid and gasket in a sealed position on the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Michael E. Williams
  • Patent number: D662366
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Lou Henry, Jacob Wilson, Ken S. Tran
  • Patent number: D662766
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Smyers
  • Patent number: D669305
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Smyers
  • Patent number: D677116
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Nicolsson Fernandes, Karl Ludeman
  • Patent number: D677117
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Smyers, Nicolsson Fernandes, Karl Ludeman
  • Patent number: D999024
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Instant Brands Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Alfonse Drechsler, III, Justin Smyers, Richard Keuter