Patents by Inventor Rodney W. Robbins

Rodney W. Robbins 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: 20090038485
    Abstract: A mortar and pestle and a chopping bowl are provided with bottom walls which can engage one another when one is placed atop of the other when the bottom unit is upside-down. The combined units provide a stable surface to either grind or chop food articles on, and provide for compact storage of the items when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Susan R. Kavanaugh, Rodney W. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20090039188
    Abstract: Peppercorns and coarse salt are selectively stored, ground and dispensed. Two squeeze-levers are provided for actuating the grinder, with a lock for selectively disabling one of them so that only one condiment is dispensed at a time. Means is provided for increasing the quantity of condiment ground for each stroke of the grinder lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Rodney W. Robbins
  • Patent number: 7121009
    Abstract: The can opener is a side-cutting opener with handle levers which pivot vertically towards and away from one another. A rotary cutter wheel is normally retracted to a position inside one of said handle levers, but is thrust outwardly to cut into the rim of the can when the handle levers are squeezed together. A drive wheel engages the rim and is rotated by means of a rotary drive handle to cut the top off the can. Spreading the handle levers apart causes the cutting wheel to retract at the end of the cutting operation to release the cut-off top of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney W. Robbins, Carter W. McGuyer
  • Publication number: 20030234205
    Abstract: A kitchen utensil kit including a multi-tool device having a single handle with one or more easily attachable accessories such as peelers, pizza cutters, cheese slicers, zesters, ice cream scoops, graters, juicers, jar openers, etc. The kit includes stationary or slidable attachable and/or stackable holders or trays for the compact, organized storage of the kitchen implements in drawers or on countertops. Indicia are provided for each receptacle to identify the implement which the receptacle is designed to hold. The preferred indicia is the shape of the receptacle, which matches the shape of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Carter W. McGuyer, Rodney W. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20030233734
    Abstract: A kitchen utensil kit including a single handle with one or more easily detachable and attachable accessories such as peelers, pizza cutters, cheese slicers, zesters, ice cream scoops, etc. The kit includes interlocking trays for storage in drawers, and interlocking counter-top storage units. Individual storage cavities are provided for each of the implements to organize the implements of the kit and minimize storage space requirements while maintaining ease of finding the implements. Each accessory snap-locks to the handle upon insertion, and can be released with one hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Carter W. McGuyer, Charles R. Hebner, Rodney W. Robbins
  • Patent number: 6494428
    Abstract: An adjustable holder for a container comprises a stationery member having a first surface for pressing against a first side of the container. A moveable member has a second surface for pressing against a second side of the container. First and second structures allow the moveable member to telescope with respect to the stationary member along a direction of adjustment. Third and fourth structures set a plurality of distances between the first and second surfaces. The third structure comprises a plurality of slots arranged along the direction of adjustment and oriented generally orthogonal to such direction. The fourth structure comprises a resiliently biased projection with a user-operated handle for being inserted into a desired slot. The holder adjusts to the size of the container, and, in preferred embodiments, can be made especially economically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Robbins Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney W. Robbins, Oscar Sean Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6378964
    Abstract: A rotary stepped storage and display unit is placed on shelves in cabinets and other locations above eye level to store and display items such as spice jars etc. on a stepped surface so that items can be seen easily from below. Preferably, the device comprises a circular stepped pyramid on a rotary base. The device is provided in separate sections which are small enough to pass through the access opening to corner cupboards in kitchens or similar places where the access openings are considerably smaller than the inside dimensions of the cupboard. Easy-to-use snap fasteners are integral with the sections and are used to fasten the sections together inside the cabinet to form a structure which is too large to pass through the access opening but utilizes the space efficiently in the cabinet. The device either can rotate on its own rotary base, or can be mounted on one or more of the upper shelves of a series of rotary shelves mounted to rotate on a vertical axle in a corner or similar cupboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney W. Robbins, Carter McGuyer
  • Publication number: 20010015599
    Abstract: A rotary stepped storage and display unit is placed on shelves in cabinets and other locations above eye level to store and display items such as spice jars etc. on a stepped surface so that items can be seen easily from below. Preferably, the device comprises a circular stepped pyramid on a rotary base. The device is provided in separate sections which are small enough to pass through the access opening to corner cupboards in kitchens or similar places where the access openings are considerably smaller than the inside dimensions of the cupboard. Easy-to-use snap fasteners are integral with the sections and are used to fasten the sections together inside the cabinet to form a structure which is too large to pass through the access opening but utilizes the space efficiently in the cabinet. The device either can rotate on its own rotary base, or can be mounted on one or more of the upper shelves of a series of rotary shelves mounted to rotate on a vertical axle in a corner or similar cupboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney W. Robbins, Carter McGuyer
  • Patent number: 6263808
    Abstract: A rotary stepped storage and display unit is placed on shelves in cabinets and other locations above eye level to store and display items such as spice jars etc. on a stepped surface so that items can be seen easily from below. Preferably, the device comprises a circular stepped pyramid on a rotary base. The device is provided in separate sections which are small enough to pass through the access opening to corner cupboards in kitchens or similar places where the access openings are considerably smaller than the inside dimensions of the cupboard. Easy-to-use snap fasteners are integral with the sections and are used to fasten the sections together inside the cabinet to form a structure which is too large to pass through the access opening but utilizes the space efficiently in the cabinet. The device either can rotate on its own rotary base, or can be mounted on one or more of the upper shelves of a series of rotary shelves mounted to rotate on a vertical axle in a corner or similar cupboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney W. Robbins, Carter McGuyer
  • Patent number: 6182839
    Abstract: A turntable storage device which has a turntable and a plurality of storage containers for condiments and other granular materials. The turntable has a base member and a platform that is removably attachable to the base and rotatable on the base member. The base member has an upwardly extending hollow post. The containers are attachable to the turntable by mating projections and receptacles. The turntable storage device is convertible. It is provided with a mounting hub for selectively attaching and removing either a handle or a hanging support member. The hanging support member is adaptable to hang one or more turntables from a shelf, if desired. The support member also is shaped to fit into the hollow post of another turntable, whereby two turntables can be stacked on top of the one another. In one embodiment, a rotary measuring dispenser is mounted in each container for dispensing predetermined quantities of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Stanley Robbins, Rodney W. Robbins, Frans M. Weterrings, Ted A. Bell
  • Patent number: 6176397
    Abstract: The container is adapted to be releasably secured to a rotatable turntable. It has a pie-shaped cross section, with a recess in the bottom to receive a projection to hold it in place on the turntable. Another projection projects laterally from the narrow end of the container to mate with a receptacle on the turntable to prevent the container from being tipped off of the turntable. The container has a sloping hinged cover for a large opening on the top, and a hinged cover for a small shaker opening in the top. In one embodiment, the container has a dispensing opening in the bottom and a rotary dispenser operable from outside the container for dispensing pre-measured quantities of materials through the bottom opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Robbins Industries Inc.
    Inventors: E. Stanley Robbins, Rodney W. Robbins, Frans M. Weterrings, Ted A. Bell
  • Patent number: 6131772
    Abstract: The container has a generally pie-shaped cross section and is adapted to fit on a turntable with a number of other containers of the same shape. To facilitate molding, the container consists of at least two separate molded parts, one including the angular side walls and bottom wall of the container, and the other including the front wall of the container. One molded part includes a portion of the top wall of the container, and the other molded part includes the other portion of the top wall, which preferably is sloping and has a large opening. A second opening in the top, preferably grilled, is provided as a shaker outlet. Mounting structures are provided in each molded part for supporting an internal rotary dispenser mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Stanley Robbins, Rodney W. Robbins, Frans M. Weterrings, Ted A. Bell
  • Patent number: 6029828
    Abstract: A turntable storage device which has a turntable and a plurality of storage containers for condiments and other granular materials. The turntable has a base member and a platform that is removably attachable to the base and rotatable on the base member. The base member has an upwardly extending hollow post. The containers are attachable to the turntable by means of mating projections and receptacles. The turntable storage device is convertible. It is provided with structure for selectively attaching and removing either a handle or a hanging support member. The hanging support member is adaptable to hang one or more turntables from a shelf, if desired. The support member also is shaped to fit into the hollow post of another turntable, whereby two turntables can be stacked on top of the one another. In one embodiment, a rotary measuring dispenser is mounted in each container for dispensing predetermined quantities of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Stanley Robbins, Rodney W. Robbins, Frans M. Weterrings, Ted A. Bell
  • Patent number: 6026685
    Abstract: The adjustable measuring device has a cylindrical base and a slightly larger cylindrical sleeve which slides upwardly and downwardly on the cylindrical base to form a cup of variable volume. Both cylinders are oblate and preferably are elliptical or oval in cross-section. This allows the height of the device to be reduced, without loss of measuring capacity, and without loss of gripability. Also, the oblate shape forms a natural pour spout. A sealing member having a relatively thin, flexible wiper or flange element forms a seal at the junction between the interior surface of the sleeve and the top of the base member and minimizes leakage of liquid from the cup. A lip on each narrow end of the upper edge of the sleeve minimizes dripping and running of excess liquid down the outside of the sleeve after pouring. In one embodiment, detent mechanisms are provided to accurately locate different measurement positions of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Robbins Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Frans M. Weterrings, E. Stanley Robbins, Rodney W. Robbins, Larry J. Sexton
  • Patent number: 5934573
    Abstract: The dispenser dispenses and spreads measured quantities of granular materials over a relatively wide area. A plurality of individual measurement chambers are distributed throughout a disc or rectilinear panel which is moved relative to other discs or panels with similarly shaped and spaced holes to first cover the inlet to the chambers to prevent unwanted leakage of material from the interior of the container, and to then open the outlet to each of the chambers to dispense material. A deflector is positioned below the dispenser outlets to spread the dispersed materials over an even wider area. The dispenser is used advantageously to spread seasonings and other food materials onto spread-out food items such as french fries and popcorn, large kettles and vats, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frans M. Weterrings, Rodney W. Robbins, Larry J. Sexton
  • Patent number: D436537
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Robbins Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney W. Robbins, Oscar Sean Mitchell
  • Patent number: D576452
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan R. Kavanaugh, Rodney W. Robbins
  • Patent number: D403923
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frans M. Weterrings, E. Stanley Robbins, Rodney W. Robbins
  • Patent number: D407610
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Robbins Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frans M. Weterrings, E. Stanley Robbins, Rodney W. Robbins
  • Patent number: D409046
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Robbins Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Frans M. Weterrings, E. Stanley Robbins, Rodney W. Robbins