Patents by Inventor Kathleen Hoffner

Kathleen Hoffner 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: 6422752
    Abstract: A flexible bag includes a front wall and a rear wall that are sealed together at their longitudinal side edges. A lower end of the bag is closed, while an upper end of the bag forms a mouth that can be repeatably opened and closed. A flexible wire is embedded in each of the sealed side edges and extends along the length of the bag. After inserting one or more items in the bag, either side of the upper end of the bag is clasped and the bag is rotated around an axis parallel with the bag upper end in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Rotation of the bag in this manner causes the wires and the material in which they are embedded to coil around the axis and seal the upper end of the bag. Tabs that are formed during this process can then be bent upward and connected together to form a handle which can then be heat sealed. In this manner, the bag cannot be opened until the seal is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Hoffner, Kathleen Hoffner