Patents by Inventor Robert C. Reinders

Robert C. Reinders 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: 9902529
    Abstract: Access-limiting mechanism limits access to a container. Access is controlled by moving a slider back and forth along a plastic zipper, opening and closing the zipper. The access-limiting mechanism includes, in addition to the slider, a coupler. The coupler can stay fixed, immovable, at a given location, relative to the zipper; or can be moved along the length of the zipper. As the slider moves close to the coupler, the slider and coupler are coupled to each other, limiting the ability of the slider to open the zipper. Access can be further limited by adding a second control mechanism such as a cover which overlies, optionally latches to, one or both of the slider and the coupler. To open the container, the slider and coupler, and/or as applies the cover, are released from respective coupling arrangements. Then, the slider can be moved away from the coupler to open the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Robert C. Reinders
  • Patent number: 9617045
    Abstract: Caps, containers embodying such caps, and methods of enhancing cap safety. Air flow passages through the cap enable one, who accidentally swallowed the cap, to breathe/pass air through the cap. Some air passages extend top to bottom. Openings in the outer side wall, and an air flow path across the cap, allow air to enter the cap on a first side, flow transversely through the cap, and exit an opposing side. The top-to-bottom air flow passages, and the air flow path across the cap, including the openings in the outer wall of the cap, collectively support air flow through the cap, thus through the person's airway, if/when the cap becomes accidentally lodged in a person's airway. The openings can be used to engage and extract an accidentally swallowed cap. Elements of an optional tamper evident ring remain attached to the cap after the cap is removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Robert C. Reinders
  • Publication number: 20160255919
    Abstract: Access-limiting mechanism limits access to a container. Access is controlled by moving a slider back and forth along a plastic zipper, opening and closing the zipper. The access-limiting mechanism includes, in addition to the slider, a coupler. The coupler can stay fixed, immovable, at a given location, relative to the zipper; or can be moved along the length of the zipper. As the slider moves close to the coupler, the slider and coupler are coupled to each other, limiting the ability of the slider to open the zipper. Access can be further limited by adding a second control mechanism such as a cover which overlies, optionally latches to, one or both of the slider and the coupler. To open the container, the slider and coupler, and/or as applies the cover, are released from respective coupling arrangements. Then, the slider can be moved away from the coupler to open the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: Robert C. Reinders
  • Publication number: 20160257448
    Abstract: Access-limiting mechanism limits access to a container. Access is controlled by moving a slider back and forth along a plastic zipper, opening and closing the zipper. The access-limiting mechanism includes, in addition to the slider, a coupler. The coupler can stay fixed, immovable, at a given location, relative to the zipper; or can be moved along the zipper. As the slider moves close to the coupler, the slider and coupler are releasably coupled to each other, limiting the ability of the slider to open the zipper. Access can be further limited by adding a second control mechanism such as a cover, optionally a latching cover, overlying one or both of the slider and coupler. To open the container, the slider and coupler, and/or as applies the cover, are released from respective coupling or latching arrangements. Then, the slider can be moved away from the coupler to open the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: Robert C. Reinders
  • Publication number: 20130270270
    Abstract: Caps, containers embodying such caps, and methods of enhancing cap safety. Air flow passages through the cap enable one, who accidentally swallowed the cap, to breathe/pass air through the cap. Some air passages extend top to bottom. Openings in the outer side wall, and an air flow path across the cap, allow air to enter the cap on a first side, flow transversely through the cap, and exit an opposing side. The top-to-bottom air flow passages, and the air flow path across the cap, including the openings in the outer wall of the cap, collectively support air flow through the cap, thus through the person's airway, if/when the cap becomes accidentally lodged in a person's airway. The openings can be used to engage and extract an accidentally swallowed cap. Elements of an optional tamper evident ring remain attached to the cap after the cap is removed from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Robert C. Reinders
  • Patent number: 8443999
    Abstract: Caps, containers embodying such caps, and methods of enhancing cap safety. Air flow passages through the cap enable one, who accidentally swallowed the cap, to breathe/pass air through the cap. Some air passages extend top to bottom. Openings in the outer side wall, and an air flow path across the cap, allow air to enter the cap on a first side, flow transversely through the cap, and exit an opposing side. The top-to-bottom air flow passages, and the air flow path across the cap, including the openings in the outer wall of the cap, collectively support air flow through the cap, thus through the person's airway, if/when the cap becomes accidentally lodged in a person's airway. The openings can be used to engage and extract an accidentally swallowed cap. Elements of an optional tamper evident ring remain attached to the cap after the cap is removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Robert C. Reinders