Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Graner

Stephen C. Graner 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: 20240165526
    Abstract: A buoyancy-propelled, submergible, toy projectile is provided. The toy projectile includes a toy body and a suction cup that is connected to the toy body and provides a means by which the toy projectile can be adhered to an submerged surface of a fluid reservoir. The toy body provides a buoyancy to the toy projectile such that when the toy projectile is submerged in fluid, the buoyancy of the toy will drive it rapidly towards the surface of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Stephen C. GRANER, Paul LOCASTO, Gavriella PANTELIDES
  • Publication number: 20240044414
    Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: C. Latham GAINES, Stephen C. GRANER
  • Patent number: 11808368
    Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER, INC.
    Inventors: C. Latham Gaines, Stephen C. Graner
  • Publication number: 20230145717
    Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: C. Latham GAINES, Stephen C. GRANER
  • Patent number: 6367651
    Abstract: A vented container for produce having a base and a cover which are at least substantially impervious to gas transfer. The base includes a base panel and side walls. Preferably two vent apertures are formed through the side wall, and a plug is provided for each vent aperture, to permit the vent apertures to be selectively opened. The plugs may be mounted upon vent toggles, such that manual pivoting of the vent toggles will open or close the associated vent aperture. The selective opening of the vent apertures permits gas exchange between the interior of the container and the ambient atmosphere, providing improve storage for produce. Maintaining the vent apertures closed permits the container to be used as a normal sealed food storage container. The base panel preferably includes an alternating series of hills and troughs to segregate condensate within the container. The troughs may be downward concave to further subdivide the condensate within each trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Laib, Stephen C. Graner, Edward M. Poslinski, Joseph J. Duska, Laurent E. Fischer, Morison S. Cousins, Robert H. C. M. Daenen
  • Publication number: 20010047997
    Abstract: A vented container for produce having a base and a cover which are at least substantially impervious to gas transfer. The base includes a base panel and side walls. Preferably two vent apertures are formed through the side wall, and a plug is provided for each vent aperture, to permit the vent apertures to be selectively opened. The plugs may be mounted upon vent toggles, such that manual pivoting of the vent toggles will open or close the associated vent aperture. The selective opening of the vent apertures permits gas exchange between the interior of the container and the ambient atmosphere, providing improve storage for produce. Maintaining the vent apertures closed permits the container to be used as a normal sealed food storage container. The base panel preferably includes an alternating series of hills and troughs to segregate condensate within the container. The troughs may be downward concave to further subdivide the condensate within each trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: DOUGLAS M. LAIB, STEPHEN C. GRANER, EDWARD M. POSLINSKI, JOSEPH J. DUSKA, LAURENT E. FISCHER, MORISON S. COUSINS