Patents by Inventor Peter F. Murphy

Peter F. Murphy 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: 5819979
    Abstract: A beverage container has a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top of the container. When the orifice is opened, the straw elevates through the orifice to become accessible to the user. In one embodiment, the straw is attached to a buoyant member which urges the straw into contact with a contoured surface on the can lid. The contoured surface is angled towards the orifice. In a second embodiment, the straw engages a floating member which is urged against the lid of the container. When the container is opened by deflecting a closure tab into the container, the closure tab engages a cam surface on the floating member and imparts rotational motion to the floating member. The floating member rotates until the straw is aligned with the open orifice and a buoyant member associate with on the straw elevates the straw through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: The PopStraw Company, LLC
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, Doug Brewer, Dave Brown, Jon Taylor, Paul Doczy
  • Patent number: 5547103
    Abstract: A beverage container having a straw-dispensing mechanism that is disposed within the container and is responsive to appropriate manipulation of the container to bring the straw into alignment with the orifice in the top end of the container. The straw is supported by a weighted member that responds to the manipulation of the container to move the straw. A float is attached to the straw to elevate the straw through the orifice when the straw is aligned with the orifice. Several alternative embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: The PopStraw Company, LLC
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, James H. Kurtz, Jr., Ross Whitehead, David A. Szasz
  • Patent number: 5244112
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for a container. The container includes a tubular body having a closed end, an open end and a longitudinal axis. A lid is secured to the open end and having an orifice. A closure tab is pivotally connected to the lid and temporarily closes the orifice. An actuating member is pivotally secured to the lid and is being manually actuated for moving the closure tab into the interior of the body to open the orifice in the lid. The device includes a conduit disposed within the body. A means is disposed within the body and adapted to engage the body for supporting the conduit substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Another means forms a float for elevating the conduit through the orifice in the lid when liquid is present within the body and the tab is deflected into the interior of the body to open the orifice. The device may include means for rotating the conduit to align the conduit with the orifice of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: MK Industries
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, James H. Kurtz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5080247
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for a container. The container includes a tubular body having a closed end, an open end and a longitudinal axis. A lid is secured to the open end and having an orifice. A closure tab is pivotally connected to the lid and temporarily closes the orifice. An actuating member is pivotally secured to the lid and is being manually actuated for moving the closure tab into the interior of the body to open the orifice in the lid. The device includes a conduit disposed within the body. A means is disposed within the body and adapted to engage the body for supporting the conduit substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Another means forms a float for elevating the conduit through the orifice in the lid when liquid is present within the body and the tab is deflected into the interior of the body to open the orifice. The device may include means for rotating the conduit to align the conduit with the orifice of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: MK Industries
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, James H. Kurtz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4930652
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for a container. The container includes a tubular body having a closed end, an open end and a longitudinal axis. A lid is secured to the open end and having an orifice. A closure tab is pivotally connected to the lid and temporarily closes the orifice. An actuating member is pivotally secured to the lid and is being manually actuated for moving the closure tab into the interior of the body to open the orifice in the lid. The device includes a conduit disposed within the body. A means is disposed within the body and adapted to engage the body for supporting the conduit substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Another means forms a float for elevating the conduit through the orifice in the lid when liquid is present within the body and the tab is deflected into the interior of the body to open the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: MK Industries
    Inventors: Peter F. Murphy, James H. Kurtz, Jr.