Patents by Inventor Mark D. Porter

Mark D. Porter 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: 7494025
    Abstract: An internal cover (10) is used for enclosing the contents of a straight walled container (38) which consists of a disc shaped rigid body (20) having a recess (22) in the top surface creating a depression with an outside rim (24) extending around the edge and at least one valve air vent opening (30) within the recess. The body also has a circumferential groove (26) with a lip seal (36) disposed within the groove for sealing the cover to a container's side walls. A bail handle (40) is rotatably affixed within the body recess and has least one valve bore (44) therethrough covering at least one air vent opening forming a valve. When the handle is rotated to a vertical position an air flow path is created permitting the cover to be inserted into a container. When the cover is resting on top of the contents the valve is sealed by rotating the handle to a horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Planetary Design, LLC
    Inventor: Mark D. Porter
  • Patent number: 7194951
    Abstract: A mug (10), specifically a vessel (20) incorporating a plunger assembly (30), that includes a number of fingers (42), is improved by positioning the fingers downwardly to contact the side wall of the vessel. The improvement also includes the following; a minor diameter portion (58) of the vessel sized to fit a motor vehicle cup holder. An open distal ended liner (62) intimately embracing a storage container compartment (60) formed on an inside surface of the outer shell minor diameter portion of the vessel. A closure base (66) removably engages the liner and encloses the bottom of the vessels storage container compartment. The closure base includes a number of inwardly facing spacer legs (68) that removably retain a storage container (72) including a detachable lid (74). The storage container provides a receptacle for such items as coffee grinds, tea leaves, sugar and creamer etc. such that the items may be conveniently available with the mug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Planetary Design, LLC
    Inventor: Mark D. Porter
  • Patent number: 6513288
    Abstract: A window assembly for installation across at least a portion of an opening through a partition frame. The window assembly includes a sheet of light-transmitting material defining opposite edges. Side members are disposed on the opposite side edges, and telescope relative to one another. At least one of the side members includes a connector for securing the window assembly to the partition frame. The connector engages the partition frame upon telescoping of the side members to secure the window to the partition frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Theodore Q. Chau, Kevin J. Longhurst, Richard S. Hand, Mark D. Porter
  • Patent number: 5887510
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable device for making coffee. The portable device includes a vessel for holding a mixture of solid particles and liquid. The vessel has a bottom end and a side wall extending from the bottom end. The side wall terminates and defines a top opening for receiving the solid particles and liquid. The device includes a plunger assembly that has a filter unit and a rod extending from the unit. The filter unit has a hub for receiving the rod and a plurality of spokes extending substantially normal to the rod and radially from the hub to a peripheral base member. A filter extends between the hub and the peripheral base member. The peripheral base member has a plurality of fingers extending from the perimeter of the peripheral base member. The fingers each have a first phalange and a second phalange. The first phalange extends upwardly and outwardly from the peripheral base member and joins the second phalange at an angular intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Mark D. Porter