Patents by Inventor Mark A. Steele

Mark A. Steele 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: 20100012531
    Abstract: A package having a foldable top region is provided. The package generally includes panel portions that at least partially define an interior cavity therebetween and accessible through an access opening. The top portion can provide a cuff member or cuff region that can be folded and unfolded to facilitate use of the package as a bowl or other cuffed container for material contents. The package can be adapted to hold its shape as a bowl or cuffed container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20090277916
    Abstract: A package, and method of manufacturing the same, the package having an attached strap handle for ease in carrying and pouring of the contents. In one embodiment, the package includes a pair of panels separated by a gusseted panel portion. Each end of the strap handle is attached to the package through slits that are formed at the confluence of the gusset panel portion and a respective one of the panels. Seams or seals may be formed to effectively seal the slits and may bond the handles to the package. The handle may additionally include first and second strap handles, and a strap or member spanning between the first and second strap handles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20090245699
    Abstract: A package having a gusseted panel portion is depicted and described. The package generally includes opposing panel portions that at least partially define an interior cavity or compartment therebetween that is accessible through an access device. The gusseted panel portion provides a material impact barrier within the interior cavity or compartment of the package to assist in protecting the access device from the impact or load of material contents within the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20090238499
    Abstract: A flexible package is provided having a main package compartment and a segregated internal or secondary compartment. The main package generally includes a plurality of outer panel portions. An internal compartment panel can include a transverse portion operatively joined to one of the main package panel portions to define the secondary compartment. Further, the secondary compartment can include a plurality of passageways providing fluid communication between the secondary compartment and the main package compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20090208147
    Abstract: A flexible package having multiple compartments is described and depicted. The package can include an internal compartment panel to define first and second package cavities or compartments. Two adjacent but opposing access openings can be provided proximate a top portion of the package to define separate access into the distinct compartments, without a need to open or remove the top or handle portion of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20090180716
    Abstract: A package having a handle portion is disclosed. The package generally includes opposing panel portions that at least partially define an interior cavity therebetween accessible through an access opening. The handle is generally formed by two or more openings or apertures punched or cut into a portion of the package. The handle can be further defined by a cut or slit line extending between and in communication with the apertures to provide a hingeable flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20090080810
    Abstract: A flexible package having a main package compartment and a segregated internal compartment package. The main package generally includes a plurality of outer panel portions. These panel portions can include a front panel portion, a back panel portion, and a bottom panel portion. The formation of these panels into the main package defines an internal cavity for holding material contents. The main package includes the segregated internal compartment package, wherein the compartment package can include at least one internal panel portion having a transverse edge portion adapted joined to an inner surface of one of the main package panels, i.e. the front or back panels, within the internal cavity, and a longitudinal seal intermediate the edges to define a pair of compartment cavities distinct from the internal cavity of the main package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20080279485
    Abstract: A package having fluid-filled chambers that form a line of contact that seals the package. The package generally defines an interior cavity accessible through an opening. Opposing portions of the opening may include at least one fluid-filled chamber to seal the package. The chamber may be held in sealing contact with an opposing structure or with each other by fastening means that hold the opposing portions together. In another embodiment, opposing chambers themselves may interlock to maintain sealed contact. The package may include an auxiliary opening so that an end user can fill the package with articles of the user's choice. The auxiliary opening can be sealed at least over a portion of its length. In another embodiment, first and second compartments are isolated by the fluid-filled chamber seal, with the seal being selectively breachable to enable transfer of product from the first to the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20080072737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for triggering electronic drums having a pedal assembly and a striking assembly spaced therefrom. The pedal assembly includes a base, a first hub body rotatably connected thereto, and an extension extending outwardly from and coupled to the first hub body. The striking assembly includes a base, a second hub body rotatably connected thereto, and a striking device connected to and extending outwardly from the second hub body. The distal end of the striking device is disposed between first and second triggering devices. The first and second hub bodies are coupled together via a connecting rod, which transfers a rotational force therebetween. The striking device contacts the first triggering device when the extension is depressed, and contacts the second triggering device when the extension is raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Mark STEELE
  • Publication number: 20080002918
    Abstract: A flexible package having a main package compartment and a segregated internal compartment package. The main package generally includes a plurality of outer panel portions. These panel portions can include a front panel portion, a back panel portion, and a bottom panel portion. The formation of these panels into the main package defines an internal cavity for holding material contents. The main package includes the segregated internal compartment package, wherein the compartment package can include at least one internal panel portion having a transverse edge portion adapted joined to an inner surface of one of the main package panels, i.e. the front or back panels, within the internal cavity, and a longitudinal seal intermediate the edges to define a pair of compartment cavities distinct from the internal cavity of the main package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20070189641
    Abstract: The package generally includes at least first and second panel portions operably connected to define an interior cavity therebetween. The first panel portion can include a fluid chamber operably disposed along a portion of the first panel portion such that a portion of the fluid chamber is adapted to operably abut or confront the second panel portion to generally block an access opening into the interior cavity. The second panel portion can further include a fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 7207717
    Abstract: The package generally includes at least one front and back panel joined at least partially together to define an interior accessible through an access opening. The interior is capable of storing and dispensing product and other objects or materials. Further, at least one web member can be joined to each of the front and back panel portions respectively to form at least two generally parallel chambers and/or channels that extend generally along at least a portion of the access opening. In one embodiment, each of the chambers includes a reservoir or storage portion and a closure portion in fluid communication such that either the reservoir portion or the closure portion are generally inflated or expanded to correspondingly close or open the access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20060215942
    Abstract: A flexible package generally including a front panel portion, a back panel portion, a first side panel portion, and at least one access device. The flexible package can further include a second side panel portion, a bottom panel portion, and a top panel portion. Additionally, one or more of the portions can be shaped and/or manufactured substantially as a gusset. Each of the panel portions comprise two longitudinal sides or edges. The access device can be attached to at least one surface of at least one of the side panel portions such that the device is in transverse orientation to the longitudinal sides. The device can be manually attached to the side portions, or attached with existing and/or specially designed manufacturing machinery. Attachment of the access device to a side portion of the package is achieved using heat bonding techniques, adhesives, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20060207408
    Abstract: A foot pedal for electronic drums includes a lower tab or pedal or other extension for triggering by pressing down, and an upper tab or pedal or other extension for triggering by raising the foot. Also included is the joining of the upper and lower extensions (tab, pedal or other) into a pedal assembly that includes: a hinge or axle or other device which allows the pedal assembly to rotate in an arc; a striking device (stick, rod or other) that is attached to the pedal assembly and hits impact sensitive electronic drum triggering devices (pads, tubes or others); and an elastic device or spring which returns the pedal assembly to the neutral (at-rest) position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20060165004
    Abstract: Methods and systems in a communications network to look at all of the DACS II output and determine whether a fault exists. If a fault is determined to exist, then an email is sent to the appropriate users notifying them that a problem has occurred. Three computer program commands, for example, are set up to automatically be sent to the network elements at a selected time everyday. The response to the commands is automatically emailed to a specified UNIX server. At 0600, for example, the program automatically kicks off the 3 commands and analyzes the data from the responses to the commands. If the program finds a fault in the command outputs, the program will then post what the fault is on a website. In various embodiments, the software also automatically kicks off an email to a distribution list in the program. The email can go to anybody that requests to be on it. For example, it is sent to an Network Operations Center, where the fault is responded to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Mark Steele, Anthony Hanson
  • Publication number: 20060113212
    Abstract: The package generally includes at least one front and back panel joined at least partially together to define an interior accessible through an access opening. The interior is capable of storing and dispensing product and other objects or materials. Further, at least one web member can be joined to each of the front and back panel portions respectively to form at least two generally parallel chambers and/or channels that extend generally along at least a portion of the access opening. In one embodiment, each of the chambers includes a reservoir or storage portion and a closure portion in fluid communication such that either the reservoir portion or the closure portion are generally inflated or expanded to correspondingly close or open the access opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 7040810
    Abstract: A flexible package generally including a front panel portion, a back panel portion, a first side panel portion, and at least one access device. The flexible package can further include a second side panel portion, a bottom panel portion, and a top panel portion. Additionally, one or more of the portions can be shaped and/or manufactured substantially as a gusset. Each of the panel portions comprise two longitudinal sides or edges. The access-device can be attached to at least one surface of at least one of the side panel portions such that the device is in transverse orientation to the longitudinal sides. The device can be manually attached to the side portions, or attached with existing and/or specially designed manufacturing machinery. Attachment of the access device to a side portion of the package is achieved using heat bonding techniques, adhesives, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20060000341
    Abstract: A foot pedal for electronic drums includes a lower tab or pedal or other extension for triggering by pressing down, and an upper tab or pedal or other extension for triggering by raising the foot. Also included is the joining of the upper and lower extensions (tab, pedal or other) into a pedal assembly that includes: a hinge or axle or other device which allows the pedal assembly to rotate in an arc; a striking device (stick, rod or other) that is attached to the pedal assembly and hits impact sensitive electronic drum triggering devices (pads, tubes or others); and an elastic device or spring which returns the pedal assembly to the neutral (at-rest) position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20050069227
    Abstract: A flexible package having front, back, and bottom panel portions (preferably gusseted). The front and back panel portions each preferably include longitudinal edges that can be joined together to create respective side seals. Each of the respective side seals can include a slit portion having a slit member. The slit member preferably includes a detachment portion and an anchor portion. The detachment portion of the slit member is detachable from a portion of the side seal to provide a tie or a looped handle for use in tying and/or handling the flexible package. The anchor portion provides support and reinforcement to prevent complete detachment of the slit member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: D549594
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Mark Steele