Patents by Inventor Theodore J. Kovacic
Theodore J. Kovacic 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).
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Patent number: 5437389Abstract: A unitary beverage container includes a main body defining a container volume. A flexible straw is fluidly connected at a proximal end with the volume adjacent the bottom of the main body. The flexible straw also includes a distal end in the form of a hollow mouthpiece having a central aperture therein with the mouthpiece is located adjacent the top of the main body. In many configurations of the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece includes a cylindrical base portion from which levers extend. An attaching mechanism removably attaches the mouthpiece of the flexible straw to the top of main body and closes the aperture of the mouthpiece. The attaching mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture at the distal end of the flexible straw which is broken during removal of the flexible straw to uncover the aperture prior to use. The hollow bridge is connected to a hollow chamber which is attached to the top. A concavity in which the mouthpiece is received is provided at the top.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1992Date of Patent: August 1, 1995Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Kaufman, Theodore J. Kovacic, Hideyoshi Okita, Martin M. Bostwick, Andrew T. Kostanecki, Robert H. Brainard, Patrick B. Nolan
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Patent number: 5385264Abstract: A unitary beverage container includes a main body defining a container volume. A flexible straw is fluidly connected at a proximal end with the volume adjacent the bottom of the main body. The flexible straw includes a series of segments which provide bending diaphragms. The straw also includes a distal end which is preferably in the form of a planar hollow mouthpiece having vertical wings and a central aperture therein with the mouthpiece is located adjacent the top of the main body. The segments of the straw near the bottom are strengthened and a curved portion of the straw has wedge shaped segments. An attaching mechanism removably attaches the distal end of the flexible straw to the top of main body and closes the aperture of the distal end. The attaching mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture at the distal end of the flexible straw which is broken during removal of the flexible straw to uncover the aperture prior to use.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1992Date of Patent: January 31, 1995Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Kaufman, Theodore J. Kovacic, Hideyoshi Okita, Martin M. Bostwick, Andrew T. Kostanecki, Robert H. Brainard, Patrick B. Nolan
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Patent number: 5353955Abstract: Unitary beverage containers include a main body defining a container volume. A flexible conduit or straw is fluidly connected at a proximal end with the volume adjacent the bottom or top of the main body. The conduit or straw also includes a distal end which is preferably in the form of some shape of hollow mouthpiece having a central aperture therein with the mouthpiece is located adjacent the top of the main body. A connection or closing mechanism removably attaches a hollow member to the distal end of the flexible straw or conduit and closes the aperture of the distal end. The mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture at the distal end of the flexible straw or conduit which is broken during removal of the hollow member to uncover the aperture prior to use. The hollow member is otherwise isolated fluidly from the container volume. A indentation in which the mouthpiece and hollow member are received is provided at the top.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1992Date of Patent: October 11, 1994Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Kaufman, Theodore J. Kovacic, Hideyoshi Okita, Martin M. Bostwick, Andrew T. Kostanecki, Robert H. Brainard, Patrick B. Nolan
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Patent number: 5280844Abstract: Unitary beverage containers and methods of filling thereof are disclosed where the beverage container includes a main body and a filling conduit extending from the top thereof which is closed off after filling. In embodiments with a separate straw, an attaching mechanism removably attaches the distal end of the flexible straw to the top of main body and closes the aperture in the distal end. The attaching mechanism includes a short hollow bridge extending from the aperture which is broken during removal of the flexible straw to uncover the aperture prior to use. The hollow bridge is connected to a hollow chamber member which is otherwise isolated fluidly from the container volume. A concavity is provided at the top in which a mouthpiece at the distal end of the straw is received. In some preferred embodiments, the filling conduit extends from the top of the main body, and from adjacent the mouthpiece or from the mouthpiece itself.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1992Date of Patent: January 25, 1994Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Kaufman, Theodore J. Kovacic, Hideyoshi Okita, Martin M. Bestwick, Andrew T. Kostanecki, Robert H. Brainard, Partick B. Nolan
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Patent number: 5188250Abstract: A one-piece soft plastic bottle includes a generally cylindrical bottom portion and a tapered upper portion having a flexible tapered bellows at an upper end thereof. A short tapered top tapers outwardly and upwardly from the tapered bellows and includes a top end with a small aperture therein. A closure for the central aperture extends above the top end and is broken away by the user to expose the central aperture. The closure includes a cylindrical extension and large wings extending laterally and downwardly therefrom. Extending from the cylindrical extension is a filling tube which is crimped after filling to close the filling tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1992Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Kovacic, Richard H. Kaufman, Martin M. Bostwick, Donald C. Crescenzi, William H. Valls, Thomas Bucaccio
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Patent number: 4001448Abstract: Monocalcium phosphate containing above 4% dicalcium phosphate by weight thereof conditions the flow of citric or malic acid-based beverage mixes so as to provide a free-flowing and controllably-packageably dry mix.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1975Date of Patent: January 4, 1977Assignee: General Foods CorporationInventors: Thomas P. Finucane, Theodore J. Kovacic, John R. Wisler
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Patent number: D347390Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1992Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Kovacic, Richard H. Kaufman, Martin M. Bostwick, Donald C. Crescenzi, William H. Valls, Thomas Bucaccio
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Patent number: D350694Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1992Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Kovacic, Richard H. Kaufman, Martin M. Bostwick, Donald C. Crescenzi, William H. Valls, Thomas Bucaccio
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Patent number: D351993Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1991Date of Patent: November 1, 1994Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Kaufman, Theodore J. Kovacic, Hideyoshi Okita, Martin M. Bostwick, Andrew T. Kostanecki, Robert H. Brainard, Patrick B. Nolan