Patents Issued in January 18, 1994
  • Patent number: 5279405
    Abstract: The invention provides a guard for warehouse personnel which guard is designed to be secured to a pallet and remain with the pallet both when the pallet is being transported and when it and its load are stored on racks in a warehouse. Thus, the guard remains with the pallet at all times to prevent the load on the pallet falling on personnel in an adjacent aisle. The guard can be separated from the pallet only as the result of intentional release by warehouse personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Pentwater Wire Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay C. Petter
  • Patent number: 5279406
    Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the distance between successive pairs of coaxial plain or filter cigarettes has a first rotary conveyor with axially parallel peripheral flutes which deliver pairs of cigarettes to a transfer station, a second rotary conveyor which receives one cigarette of each pair from the first conveyor by way of a third rotary conveyor and which receives the other cigarette of each pair from a delivering unit positioned to simultaneously move each other cigarette axially of and away from the one cigarette. The delivery unit has two parallel discs which are coupled to each other by cranks having pins provided with flutes for the transfer of other cigarettes from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The discs rotate about a common axis or about parallel axes inclined relative to the axes of rotation of the first, second and third conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Korber AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Pawelko, Siegfried Schlisio
  • Patent number: 5279407
    Abstract: A wear shoe for an auger having a pair of spaced apart tapered openings extending therethrough is secured to an auger flight using a tapered nut having an axial extent as the tapered opening and dimensioned to fit into and contact each tapered opening to provide a substantially planar upper surface and a headed threaded bolt. The wear shoe has an arcuate recess formed in the upper surface thereof and a hardened member has an arcuate body portion secured in the arcuate recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Wotco, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy G. Shobak
  • Patent number: 5279408
    Abstract: An ice lift apparatus receives prismatic ice cubes having a substantially uniform predetermined rectangular or prism shape of which the longest side has a length D and which transports the prismatic ice cubes upwardly along a vertical ice transporting section. The ice lift apparatus comprises an endless transporting member provided with a number of transverse bars at a predetermined space therebetween that mounted so as to be capable of running circulatively along the vertical ice transporting section, and a supporting guide plate disposed along a climbing path of the transverse bars with a predetermined distance L therefrom, wherein the predetermined distance L between the climbing path of the transverse bars and the supporting guide plate is so selected as to fall within a range of 1/2 to 2/3 of the length D of the longest side of the ice cube or exceed the range. Ice chips of a size short of the lower limit of the above range are sorted out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5279409
    Abstract: A container for clothes conditioners having chambers for conditioners and for a pressure solution and an osmotic membrane covering the intake of the pressure chamber to permit osmotic flow of water from the rinse water of a washing machine to enter the pressure chamber which, in turn, causes a piston or similar means to transfer pressure into the conditioner chamber which causes the latter to break or to open to release conditioners into the rinse water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Stuart S. Bowie
    Inventors: Stuart S. Bowie, Eugene Potapov
  • Patent number: 5279410
    Abstract: A package for an ink jet cartridge includes an opaque casing having an accommodating portion for accommodating the ink cartridge; a covering member including an evaporated aluminum layer and a nylon layer for sealing of an access opening of the casing; and a box having a rectangular parallelepiped configuration for accommodating the casing sealed by the covering member, the box being provided with an opening portion and a hook for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruo Arashima, Seiichiro Karita, Masahiko Higuma
  • Patent number: 5279411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pack with elementary threads and needle-thread combinations for surgical purposes, particularly as an inner pack for double sterile packs and is characterized by (a) a base plate (2) with a front carrier ledge (12) fixed to the base plate (2) in the front region thereof between the longitudinal edges and having upwardly open guide slits (20) and a rear carrier ledge (12') fixed to the base plate (2) between the longitudinal edges at the opposite end and having upwardly open guide slits (20'), (b) one or more support ledges (16, 18) fixed between the front and rear carrier ledges (12, 12') and parallel thereto to the base plate (2), (c) several identical or different needle-thread combinations (22), as well as elementary threads (24), whose removal part is held in the guide slits (20) of the front carrier ledge (12) and whose end regions are held in the rear carrier ledge, (d) a cover plate (6), which is connected in material-integral manner with one longitudinal edge of the base pla
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Brunken
  • Patent number: 5279412
    Abstract: A soap container including a support plate having a plurality of drain apertures and a plurality of flexible, soft ribs, and a plurality air apertures disposed in the wall of a base thereof, whereby the wet soap disposed within the soap container can be effectively dried and maintained without any damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Hwang R. Lee
  • Patent number: 5279413
    Abstract: The container for flat articles, especially coins, which is part of a storage system for magnetic tape cassettes, in a motor vehicle, comprises a housing open on one side, a slider member insertable in the open side of the housing against a spring force and a locking device for locking the slider member in an inserted position. To provide a particularly reliable way of holding coins of different sizes so that they do not rattle when the container is moved, the slider member has a movable compartment floor which, as the slider member is pushed into the housing, is pressed by spring elements underlying it against an upper housing wall. The upper housing wall can be provided with foam strips and the compartment floor can be corrugated and provided with a fleece to better hold coins without rattling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Nehl, Karl-Hans Sackmann
  • Patent number: 5279414
    Abstract: An new concept golf club bag which accommodates the clubs with the club heads down, providing a central hollow core element positioned within the length of the bag, for defining a central elongated central core, and an outer club area between the core element wall and the outer wall of the bag. The outer club area is divided into a plurality of club spaces formed by a plurality of spaced-apart wall partitions, so that an iron club can be placed in a protected position within each partitioned area. The outer club area is provided with a raised floor portion off the bag floor, so that the shorter irons are at a depth to allow the upper ends of the clubs to be readily accessible with the open end of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: J. W. Brasher
  • Patent number: 5279415
    Abstract: A packaging system is disclosed for storing and handling electrical connectors and the like. The system employs a plurality of elongated connector-containing tubes. Each tube has an aperture therethrough near each opposite end thereof. The apertures are spaced longitudinally of the respective tubes so that a pair of assembly rods can be passed through the aligned apertures of a plurality of generally parallel juxtaposed tubes. The assembly rods hold the tubes in a generally stacked array and also act as stop rods to close-off the ends of the tubes. At least one aperture in each tube is enlarged relative to the rod passing therethrough for accommodating any variances in the spacing between the apertures in any particular tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard R. Edgley, Robert E. Erklin, Sr., William R. Lenz, Kyle J. Marchek
  • Patent number: 5279416
    Abstract: A cartridge for storing and retaining a plurality of medical ligating devices such as hemostatic clips and surgical staples, the cartridge having a movable device retaining member situated in each device chamber. The retaining member is adapted to frictionally engage the legs of an open C-shaped device and is further adapted to be displaced away from engagement with the device when it is engaged in the jaws of a forceps-type applier. In one embodiment, the retaining member is adapted to fit between the legs of an open hemostatic clip and is further adapted to be displaced downwardly away from the clip when the clip is engaged by a clip applier. The disclosure further includes a method of storing hemostatic clips in a cartridge, the method incorporating retaining the clip within the cartridge by a separable member which is displaceable from engagement with a clip when the clip is engaged by a clip applier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Edward Weck Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard M. Malec, John C. Phillips, Curtis W. Thornton, Elise Powell
  • Patent number: 5279417
    Abstract: A functional package for hand tools such as scissors, pliers, pruners, snippers, clippers, or other hand tools is disclosed. The package is a point of sale display container which can accommodate straight handled tools. Both blister packages and clam packages are disclosed. The blister package and clam package hold a first handle of the tool substantially stationery and allow a second handle of the tool to be manipulated by a customer. Preferably, an aperture or hole is provided to manipulate locking controls or switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Fiskars Oy Ab
    Inventor: Robert A. Seaton
  • Patent number: 5279418
    Abstract: A tape cassette protective cover is designed to fit securely over the open tape transport region of a tape cassette. The cover includes a C-shaped plastic cover having a semi-circular lip which fits over the apertures in a tape cassette. The cover has an elongated walled trough section with a corresponding end section at each end which fits over the sides of the tape cassette. Each end section is grooved or perforated, such that the protrusion located at the sides of a tape cassette slides into the end section and securely fits within the groove or the perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Robert M. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 5279419
    Abstract: A cardboard tray for cylindrical packs having a base section, parallel to the longitudinal edges of which are arranged receivers aligned in longitudinal rows for longitudinal rows of packs. The technical problem is to reduce the consumption of materials and to utilize the space better within a stack, as well as to improve the functional value of the cardboard trays. Adjacent longitudinal rows of receivers are displaced relative to one another. The transverse edges of the base section follow a meandering line, and the base section has cut-in border flanges which are bent up and joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Thies Eggers
  • Patent number: 5279420
    Abstract: A holder for displaying tubular articles. A body has an integral spear, the spear having a tapered nose and a retention shoulder. A retention disc is snaped over the nose to retain on the holder a tubular article whose least lateral dimension is smaller than that of the body or of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: J. Linn Rodgers
  • Patent number: 5279421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a containerization system comprising at least one inner water soluble bag located within an outer water insoluble bag. The inner water soluble bag contains a hazardous chemical such as an agrichemical that does not substantially dissolve the bag. The outer water soluble bag is flexible and collapsible and has a low stretchability; it is made of laminated polypropylene (outer layer) polyethylene (inner layer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel T. Gouge, Leonard E. Hodakowski, Glenn C. Knudsen, Steven F. McEvoy
  • Patent number: 5279422
    Abstract: A device suitable as a closure cap for a medicine container is provided. The device has indicia circumferentially marked on the upper surface of the device representing the time for next taking the medicine in the container. An arm rotatably and pivotably mounted in the center of the device is set to point at the time for next taking the medicine. The arm is releaseably retained in position by cooperating pegs and indentations on the upper surface of the device and the underside of the rotatable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: James E. Adams
  • Patent number: 5279423
    Abstract: A container especially suitable for bulk materials and including a cardboard tubular sleeve having its lower edge portion positioned in upwardly opening groove means on a plastic pallet. The tubular sleeve is a sleeve assembly comprising inner and outer tubular sleeves respectively formed of first and second corrugated cardboard structures with the inner sleeve positioned telescopically within the outer sleeve and with the outer annular surface of the inner sleeve secured to the inner annular surface of the outer sleeve to form a composite sleeve assembly having a thickness approximating the width of the groove means on the pallet. An auxiliary cardboard sheet is secured to the outboard surface of the outer tubular sleeve and an auxiliary cardboard sheet is secured to the inboard surface of the inner cardboard sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Lyle H. Shuert
  • Patent number: 5279424
    Abstract: The flotation apparatus removes ink- and contaminant particles from a fiber stock suspension which is produced during the preparation of waste paper. Admixing of air to the fiber stock suspension is accomplished in stepped diffusors. The fiber stock suspension admixed with air, prior to infeed into a flotation container, is guided through a deflection element effective as an impact mixer and followed by a mixing diffusor having a preferred flow direction. This flotation apparatus is especially suited for eliminating disturbing or spurious substances which are present throughout a relatively wide grain size spectrum. A particularly preferred construction uses one or more closed flotation containers, wherein the air effluxing from the flotation foam can be advantageously re-used for aeration of further infed fiber stock suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Sulzer Escher Wyss GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Britz, Erich Linck, Anton Selbherr
  • Patent number: 5279425
    Abstract: Each stackable screen module arrangement includes a first elongated side wall and a second elongated side wall, the side walls being spaced from each other by a plurality of cross members which extend between the side walls. The cross members also serve to support a screen. Connecting plates connect a lower one of the arrangements to an upper one of the arrangements when the arrangements are stacked to form an assembly. Each plate is connected to the top edge of a side wall of a lower arrangement and the bottom edge of a side wall of an adjacent upper arrangement. Aligned cut-outs are provided in the side walls of the lowermost arrangement and aligned cut-outs are also provided in the side walls of the second lowermost arrangement, and the two sets of cut-outs are aligned with each other to receive, support and surround the vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Alex M. Botos
  • Patent number: 5279426
    Abstract: A sorting machine for separating substandard items from a continuous stream of products is disclosed wherein the ejector that removes the detected substandard items includes an ejector finger of monolithic structure and homogeneous material and an actuator. The ejector finger includes a base fixedly attached with respect to the product stream, a contactor normally withdrawn from the product stream when standard products are in the stream and for entering the product stream to eject a detected substandard item, and a hinge of reduced dimension connecting the ejector finger base to the ejector finger contactor. The hinge is biased to normally withdraw the ejector finger contactor from the product stream. The actuator flexes the ejector hinge to move the ejector contactor so that it enters the product stream for ejecting each detected substandard item. The monolithic structure and homogeneous material are resistant to wear from environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: ESM International, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Crismon, Jerry W. Brun
  • Patent number: 5279427
    Abstract: A roller bed for separating fines and slivers from sliced food product such as french fries includes a plurality of rollers placed side-by-side on parallel roller shafts and are shaped to provide alternating crown and flat portions about the periphery of each of the rollers. A motor coupled to the roller shafts rotates the rollers which are phased so that in the gaps between adjacent rollers the crown portions of one roller coincide with the flat portions of adjacent rollers. This arrangement moves properly sized product across the roller bed while allowing smaller fines and slivers to fall between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: John E. Mobley
  • Patent number: 5279428
    Abstract: A holder for a string of electric lights of the type having a plurality of lamps and corresponding lamp sockets connected at spaced intervals to electrical wiring. The holder is made up of connected upper and lower relatively thin elongated mounting plates along the sides of which are provided uniformly spaced alternating tabs and open ended slots. The upper and lower mounting plates and slots are aligned. Each one of the lower slots is for receiving wiring emanating from the base of a corresponding one of the lamp sockets and each one of the upper slots is for receiving a corresponding one of the lamps, the corresponding lamp sockets then being confined therebetween the upper and lower mounting plates. Two or more of the holders may be connected side by side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Kuo-Hsing Lee
  • Patent number: 5279429
    Abstract: A pivoting tray with a pivot shaft bearing for corner cabinets. The tray has a bottom in the shape of a full or partial arc of a circle, made in one piece of plastic and having a support plate reinforced on the underside by radially extending ribs and a central pivot bearing as well as a laterally circumferentially extending pulled up edge. The ribs are connected to the underside (1a) of the support plate (1) and have been widened over a portion of their height into hollow sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Vauth-Sagel GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Heinrich Sagel
  • Patent number: 5279430
    Abstract: A storage rack with novel front and rear beams is disclosed. The beams are inverted generally V-shaped channels which roll on to side beams to form the shelf. The front and rear beams are secured into the side beams by interlocking projections and notches. The front and rear beams can span one or more bays of storage racks and a use simplified design to facilitate assembly. The front and rear beams, being continuous across one or more bays or racks, provide a track for wire or cable to traverse a part of, or the entire length of the storage rack. The wire or cable traversing the beams can connect electrical inventory control devices without the need for external cables or wire conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: UNR Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Benton
  • Patent number: 5279431
    Abstract: In a storage rack comprising a front beam, a back beam, and a crossbar extending therebetween, the front beam having a vertical wall facing backwardly and a horizontal ledge extending backwardly, the back beam having a recess wall facing frontwardly and a recess ledge extending frontwardly, a first slot is provided in one such wall and a second slot is provided in the other wall. The crossbar has a first tang extending from a first end and adapted to be initially inserted into the first slot and a second tang extending from a second end and adapted to be subsequently inserted into the second slot without removing the first tang from the first slot. Each end can sit firmly on a beam ledge with the tangs extending into the slots. The tangs have notches providing clearance for slot margins and end tabs preventing the tangs from being pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: UNR Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Highsmith, Dave Scottorn
  • Patent number: 5279432
    Abstract: A draw bar replacement strap and method for temporarily coupling and moving a disabled railroad car without actuating the drawbar. The strap comprises an elongated, multi-section, multi-ply body extending between a terminal two ply eye through which the strap may be looped and a remote tail. The strap is integrally formed from an elongated, single ply that is appropriately looped and folded. A ratchet system is attached to the strap for tightening. An auxiliary pad is provided for preventing abrasion of the strap when deployed, and for restraining the strap when stored. A multiple ply section forms the eye and extends from the eye to an end journalled to the ratchet. An elongated, double ply body section extends between the ratchet journal and the tail. Through the multi-ply multi-segment structure the tow strength of the cable is vastly improved. In the method the strap is coupled around the towing drawbar, and the tail and ratchet are drawn through the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Brian Pryor
  • Patent number: 5279433
    Abstract: A vacuum panel design for a hot-fill container which resists the increase in container diameter (barreling) which may occur during hot-filling and/or when the container is dropped on a hard surface. In one embodiment, adapted for a full wrap (360.degree.) label, a plurality of vacuum panels are symmetrically disposed about a vertical centerline of the container and horizontal stiffening ribs are provided across select portions of the panel, namely, across the vacuum panel recesses and across the post and panel ribs. In another embodiment, adapted for spot labeling, a pair of vacuum panel regions are symmetrically disposed about a vertical plane passing through the vertical centerline of the container, which regions form spot label areas and are joined by connecting end segments. The angular extent of the spot label areas and end segments may be varied to adjust the resistance to barreling and/or to provide a squeezable container, and horizontal stiffening ribs may further be provided to decrease barreling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Continental Pet Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Suppayan M. Krishnakumar, Wayne N. Collette, David P. Piccioli
  • Patent number: 5279434
    Abstract: A tubular container with a non-removable workable cap, by means of which the cap itself is provided with a limitation in its closure on the tube. To do this, the cap is equipped with a vertical rib (7) which originates from the front internal face of the cap and from its inner side surface, which is interrupted at a certain distance from the free end of the outer skirt (9) of the cap. This cap makes contact, when it is turned in both directions, with a protrusion (8) made on the tube and is limited in the closure position by an L-shaped protrusion (3) on the tube itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Tubolast Hispania S.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Aguirrezabal
  • Patent number: 5279435
    Abstract: A combination shipping and display crate includes a pair of end walls to which are fixed a plurality of slats in which at least one slat is slidably mounted in opposing slots formed in the crate end walls, and held in place by friction or torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Frank Kramer
  • Patent number: 5279436
    Abstract: A knock down shipping container is provided with the walls of the container constructed of composite panels that are usable as exterior sheathing in building construction at the point of destination of the shipped goods. The container is assembled with a plurality of bolts as well as four upright corner posts formed by a pair of steel angle brackets, an inner bracket containing a plurality of threaded studs extending through the walls of the container and an outer bracket where tamper resistant nuts are threaded onto the studs connecting the inner and outer brackets together and thereby attaching the side walls together at the upright corners of the shipping container. The outer brackets include upper and lower standard corner fittings for use in stacking multiple containers and in securing the containers to a shipping vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Tecco, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stewart S. Elliott, John S. Barrie
  • Patent number: 5279437
    Abstract: A collapsible cargo container particularly suited for aircraft and other uses in which rigid foldable side walls are interconnected to a rigid pallet element. The roof of the container is made of flexible high tensile strength material, and is interconnected to the upper edge area of the side walls so as to be foldable therewith. In one embodiment, provision is made for supporting the roof element in other than planar condition to accommodate a domed shaped cargo bay area in which the device is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Julius B. Kupersmit
  • Patent number: 5279438
    Abstract: The box includes a sheet of moulded plastics material with a central portion constituting the base of the box and four foldable flaps which are hinged to the central portion form the side walls of the box. The foldable flaps are interconnected by corner uprights each of which includes a central rib and two rows of segments which constitute the opposed walls of a pair of channels for housing the side edges of the flaps. The segments in each row are separated by spaces the heights of which, along the longitudinal axis of the rib, are equal to or greater than the heights of the segments in the opposite row, along the same axis. The segments in each row face the spaces between the segments in the opposite row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Franco Cesano
  • Patent number: 5279439
    Abstract: A fuel cap is provided to improve sealing characteristics of a pressurized fuel tank. When the inner pressure P of a fuel tank is a negative pressure less than a predetermined regulation negative pressure Pr which does not need to be controlled, a valve 160 is pressed upward by the urging force of a spring 164 to bring a lip portion 161 of the valve 160 into contact with a seal surface 156 of a seal body 150 to thereby close the valve 160. As a result, the fuel tank is sealed from the outside air. At this time, a flat plate portion 155 of the rubber-made seal body 150 is bent by the urging force of the spring 164 so that the gap L between the flat plate portion 155 and the lower surface of a ceiling plate portion 131 is narrowed. In addition, the divergence of center of the valve 160 with respect to the seal body 50 is limited by ribs 162 of the valve 160 located in a valve slide hole 135.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joji Kasugai, Hiroyuki Hagano, Natsushi Miura, Norimichi Kubota
  • Patent number: 5279440
    Abstract: Packaging comprising a rectangular parallelepipedal molded plastic inner can having a capacity of about one to five liters and having elongated stiffening grooves molded therein. The can has relatively large opposite side walls and relatively narrow opposite end walls and top and bottom walls and having a neck surrounding a discharge opening. The neck is disposed in an upper corner of the can on a length of wall of the can that is disposed at an acute angle to a vertical axis of the can. The opening has an axis disposed at an angle of about 15.degree. to 30.degree. to the vertical axis of the can. A stopper is provided for opening and closing the opening. The can has over most of its extent a thin wall that is about 3/10ths of a millimeter thick but has a thicker wall adjacent the neck. A cardboard outer envelope closely surrounds and contacts and supports the can. The envelope is of a single piece having fold lines that define rigid panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Novembal SA
    Inventors: Michel Fougeres, Philippe Partenay
  • Patent number: 5279441
    Abstract: A method of storing, compacting and baling loose waste or recyclable materials such as: corrugated cardboard, paper, foam products, fiberglass wool, wood strips, plastic strips, etc.The device being of a lightweight, tubular, rectilinear construction of varied size, thus enabling the user to quickly and easily apply strapping or binding material through a system of semicircular linear troughs around the contents of the device and compress the waste or recyclable materials into a bale of desired size to facilitate shipping and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: J. Ronald Featherall
  • Patent number: 5279442
    Abstract: A drawn and ironed container body is provided having a plurality of alternating inward and outward segments around the circumference of the stripper bulge and extending through at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the bulge whereby the minimum column strength of a sampling of such containers is substantially increased. An apparatus for reforming a drawn and ironed container body is also provided, comprising inner and outer members positionable in opposing relation with each other, with at least a portion of the bulge positioned therebetween, the inner and outer members being capable of radial movement relative to each other to form alternating inward and outward segments around the circumference of the bulge and extending through at least a portion of the longitudinal extent thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: K. Reed Jentzsch, Terre R. Reingardt
  • Patent number: 5279443
    Abstract: A laundry basket and a handle assembly therefor are disclosed. The laundry basket includes a walled container having a peripheral rim about a substantial portion thereof, a pair of opposing hand openings adjacent the peripheral rim, and a pair of handle members extending, respectively, about the rim and through the hand openings, each of the handle members including a bottom portion positioned below the rim, the bottom portion defining an upper boundary of one of the hand openings and a top portion, the top portion being connected to the bottom portion, wherein one of the top or bottom portions of each of the handle members is integral to the peripheral rim. Each portion of the handle members preferably includes a curved exterior surface to facilitate the lifting and carrying of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Walter P. Koda, Paul Santarsiero, William Seabolt, Walter H. Wilsford
  • Patent number: 5279444
    Abstract: A process for treating a garbage disposal unit by spraying material into its inlet is disclosed. The process utilizes a specified device, which contains an aerosol propellant container and a substantially cylindrical adaptor The adaptor is integrally formed, with both an upwardly-extending lip section and a downwardly-extending bottom section. The upwardly-extending lip section contains at least three flange portions separated by slots in which movable tabs are disposed. The downwardly-extending bottom section contains an orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Htiek Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Williams
  • Patent number: 5279445
    Abstract: An ice dispensing apparatus having a storage bin with a paddle wheel which moves the ice from a storage bin to a delivery chute. A straight door is utilized to selectively open and close the delivery chute. A drip pan is provided on the outside of the chute to collect the melt water from the ice, which is in the delivery chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: SerVend International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Fisher, Jerry L. Landers
  • Patent number: 5279446
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system incorporates an insulated python for delivering a plurality of beverages from sources thereof to remotely located dispensing valves. A coolant line extends through the python for cooling the beverages. A pump provides for pumping of a coolant through the coolant line from a refrigerated source thereof, through the python and back to the refrigerated source. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of the circulating coolant for regulating the operation of the pump in accordance with the sensed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: The Cornelius Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Cook, Andrew Rigby
  • Patent number: 5279447
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing unit includes a hollow support enclosing a collapsible reservoir or container. The container has a one-way valve at its outlet for directing flow through the valve into a metering chamber. The metering chamber has an outlet connected to another one-way valve which valve prevents any backflow of contaminants into the container after fluid is dispensed. As the fluid is dispensed, the container can be collapsed to ensure complete evacuation of the fluid. Further, the metering chamber can be completely collapsed to ensure that the dispensing unit is completely empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: ReSeal International Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Nicholas L. Petschek
  • Patent number: 5279448
    Abstract: There is disclosed an installable and centralized self-contained, appliance-like fluid dispensing system for selectively dispensing combinations of fluids or fluid and liquid dispersants. The system includes a centralized housing assembly housing sources of liquid dispersant, pumping devices, valve arrangements, manually controlled system devices and arrangement for providing compressed air to a hand held device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventors: Michael O. Hanlin, Eugene A. Zilber
  • Patent number: 5279449
    Abstract: A dispenser for the dispensing of particulate solids such as salt and pepper. The dispenser comprises a dispenser body having a plurality of open-ended cylindrical bores, each bore defining a space adjacent the bottom end thereof into which particulate material can be inserted and the open ends of the bores being threaded to receive a threaded closure. A threaded closure is associated with each of the bores. The threaded open ends of the bores include openings which allow the spaces to communicate with the exterior of the body only when the threaded closures are partially unthreaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Richard J. Sestak
  • Patent number: 5279450
    Abstract: A liquid container having a threaded neck tapering into a non-slip palm rest opposite the finger grooves for easy handling. Both sides continue outward and down to the base which allows the container to stand freely. Within the container a partition means represented by an interior wall or a cavity starts at the base in the corner under the finger grooves and slants in an upward direction towards the neck creating two separate chambers. The top of the interior wall or cavity has a slight curve and an opening that allows the two chambers to communicate fluid there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Donald C. Witt, Jr
  • Patent number: 5279451
    Abstract: A dispensing closure is provided for a container and includes a base for being mounted to the container over the container opening. An actuator is mounted on the base and is tiltable between a closed position and an open position. A ring is mounted on the base for rotation relative to the base and actuator. The ring and base together cooperatively define a cam drive system for effecting the tilting of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Mueller, Richard J. Daniels, John R. Nottingham, Dale A. Panasewicz, Guy E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5279452
    Abstract: A drink holder consists of a holder and a rectangular insulation blanket. The holder has a tab fitting between a window glass and an automobile's inner door panel, a connector joining the tab and a hook mating with its counterpart on the insulation blanket. On the upper longer side of the insulation blanket, there is a ring structure with a cross section of a hook corresponding to the hook of the holder. A flexible hook and loop band encloses the shorter sides of the insulation blanket allowing it to accommodates drink containers with different diameters. The insulation blanket also has a stopper located on its inner side wall preventing the drink container from sliding through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Nichol Huynh
  • Patent number: 5279453
    Abstract: An automatic document feeder (ADF) for use with an electrophotographic copier, digital copier or similar image recorder for selectively feeding ordinary documents in the form of separates sheets and a continuous document in the form of computer form (CF) paper. Sprocket holes formed through the CF paper are sensed to controllably transport and stop the CF paper on the basis of the number of sensed holes. Even when the first print area of the CF paper is set on a platen by hand, the paper can be surely transported and stopped page by page to the last print area. Regarding the last print area, the stop position is determined on the basis of the number of sprocket holes having been counted until the trailing edge thereof has moved away from a sensor. Hence, whatever the deviation of a print area relative to the CF paper may be, all the print areas including the last print area can be accurately set on the platen to reproduce complete images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5279454
    Abstract: A system for establishing the lateral position of a web without requiring the web path to change direction. The system utilizes a support surface that is curved in its transverse direction concave towards the web, a guide extending longitudinally along the surface, and a roller that is positioned against the support surface so that the web will be urged laterally against the guide and will conform to the curvature of the surface, thereby increasing the lateral column strength of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John Morse, Leslie Bunting