Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Riley

Thomas E. Riley 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: 6164825
    Abstract: A flexible pouch includes a flexible compartment with a bottom. A rim is formed around the bottom of the compartment and is spaced from and extends outwardly from this compartment bottom. At least three coplanar feet are provided on the rim for stabilizing the pouch when the pouch is resting on the rim. These coplanar feet can be generally flush with the rim when the pouch is in a flat, empty position. However, when the compartment of the pouch is filled, the coplanar feet will be formed as the lowermost portions of the rim. The pouch will rest on these coplanar feet when on a support to be stably held in position. This pouch design will avoid wobbling or tipping over of the pouch and therefore minimize or eliminate product spillage. Also, a method for making this pouch includes the steps of forming the pouch with the compartment, providing a rim around the bottom of the compartment, and spacing the rim from the bottom of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Larkin, Mark W. Holmes, James W. Smith, Abigail L. Rodgers, Thomas E. Riley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6076968
    Abstract: A flexible pouch is formed from a first and second sheet which are in sealing engaged along their side edges. Two gussets are provided at the top and bottom, respectively, of the sheets. The bottom of the uppermost gusset is recessed such that a pocket is formed at one end of the pouch. A compartment is formed within the pouch by the two sheets and the two gussets. A straw or other suitable instrument can be used to puncture the uppermost gusset in order to remove the contents from the compartment of the pouch. This pocket has a wide mouth and will enable easy insertion of the straw while minimizing or eliminating product spillage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: James W. Smith, Abigail L. Rodgers, Thomas E. Riley, Jr., Mark W. Holmes
  • Patent number: 4527677
    Abstract: A carrying case includes a wall member which provides a bottom and sidewalls for the carrying case and which has at each of its opposite ends an end assembly including a generally planar plastic end panel having a pair of metal end frames extending about its periphery. The end panels may be cut from flat sheets of material and need not be molded into specialized shapes. In the preferred embodiment, the end panels are made substantially of antistatic materials which enable the case to be useful in transporting items which might be damaged by static electricity. The case illustrated herein includes a divider assembly which is removable as a unit from the case and which is made substantially of antistatic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Platt Luggage, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. March, Thomas E. Riley
  • Patent number: D392559
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: James W. Smith, Mark W. Holmes, Thomas E. Riley, Jr.
  • Patent number: D409481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: James W. Smith, Mark W. Holmes, Thomas E. Riley, Jr.
  • Patent number: D412665
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: James W. Smith, Mark W. Holmes, Thomas E. Riley, Jr.