Patents Issued in June 1, 2010
  • Patent number: 7726469
    Abstract: A section of chain for conveying product along a material handling system includes a pin connecting a center link between two side links. The pin may be dialable or selectably positioned at the side links to control and adjust the wear surface of the pin relative to the chain links. The pin may have a rotationally non-symmetrical shaft portion to provide different wear surfaces that engage a center link of the section of chain. The different wear surfaces may be sized and shaped to accommodate wear at the wear surface of the center link. The shaft portion may include a rotationally non-symmetrical ball member or portion on the shaft portion to enhance flexibility of the section of chain. The pin may be dialed to the next position or wear surface in response to an output of a wear measurement device or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Frost Links, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Frost, Jonathan M. Rathbun, Ryan L. Kastamo
  • Patent number: 7726470
    Abstract: A packaged orthodontic assembly includes a container with a chamber and an orthodontic appliance received in the chamber. A quantity of a first orthodontic adhesive material is applied by the manufacturer to the base of the orthodontic appliance. A second orthodontic adhesive material is also received in the chamber in initially spaced relationship to the first orthodontic adhesive material. The practitioner can elect to bring the first orthodontic adhesive material into contact with the second orthodontic adhesive material when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David K. Cinader, Jr., Joan V. Brennan, James D. Christoff
  • Patent number: 7726471
    Abstract: This soapbox is capable of draining wet bar soaps very quickly and efficiently and keeps water away from the surface of the bar soap. The unique design of the soap rack and its rack-bars keep the soap bar significantly dry and minimizes the wastage of soap. After its use, the bar soap will be conveniently stored in a compact, watertight box without the worry of spoiling the surroundings with the soapy water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Suryaprasad Rao Srungaram
  • Patent number: 7726472
    Abstract: A system and method for storing, cleaning, drying, and hunting with diaphragm game callers. In an exemplary embodiment, a sturdy, sealable, watertight container is adapted to house and secure one or more diaphragm callers in a fixed position. It also adapted to separate and hold apart the multiple diaphragms of each game caller. Further embodiments include means to facilitate rinsing, by a suitable rinsing agent, the game caller and all its surfaces, including between the separated and held apart diaphragms of the game caller. It may also include means to facilitate the drying of the opposing surfaces of diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Fresh Calls LLC
    Inventor: Val Duvuvuei
  • Patent number: 7726473
    Abstract: A cigarette box includes an inner case (2) enclosing a bundle of cigarettes, an outer case (8) enclosing the inner case (2) in a manner allowing the inner case (2) to be moved up and down, and having a hinged lid (12) forming a part of a top wall thereof and a window (10) formed in a side wall to partly expose the inner case (2), and a link (20) connecting the inner case (2) and the hinged lid (12). When the inner case (2) is pushed up through the window (10) of the outer case (8), the link (20) urges the hinged lid (12) upward so that hinged lid (12) is opened. In an open position, the hinged lid (12) provides an access opening (16) projecting from the plane of the top wall of the outer case (8) and facing sideways of the outer case (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Miyazawa, Tetsuya Nakamura, Shunsuke Tawada
  • Patent number: 7726474
    Abstract: A side-opening hinge-lid container for elongate smoking articles may include a body portion and a lid portion, with the lid portion connected to the body portion along a hinge line for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position, in which at least a portion of the interior of the body portion is accessible. A body portion liner may be provided, and being mounted in the body portion while projecting sideways therefrom into a space covered by the lid portion in the closed position. An outwardly extending ear mounted on the body portion liner. An inwardly extending flap hingedly mounted in the lid portion for pivotal movement relative thereto. During pivotal movement of the lid portion between the open and closed positions, the flap engages the ear to produce a sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Roxane Berger, Andre Dahan, Suzanne Girling, Yorick Klipfel, Carsten Schlabach, Sandra Spielmann
  • Patent number: 7726475
    Abstract: A disc storage container for holding multiple discs comprising, a front container cover, a back container cover, and a spine, and attachment means on the spine, the front container cover and back container cover being moveable between a container open position enabling access to the contents of the container and a container closed position for storage purposes. A multi-tray assembly for retaining a plurality of discs within the container, the multi-tray assembly comprising two connectors and two trays for retaining and holding discs, each connector comprising a container-engaging member for engaging to the attachment means on the spine of the container and two holding means for rotatably holding a respective tray, so that each tray can be rotated about the holding means of the connectors to allow access to the discs retained by the trays when the container is in a container open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Encore Holdings Limited
    Inventors: King Yeung Choi, Kwok Keung Kwong
  • Patent number: 7726476
    Abstract: A media disc storage package includes: a folder including at least first and second spaced-apart panels defining a space for enclosing a media disc; and a substantially rigid insert disposed between the panels. The insert spans the distance between the panels to provide structural support to the folder, and includes an open disc well adapted to hold the media disc in the space between the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Larry Dean Durham, Nickie Joan Durham
  • Patent number: 7726477
    Abstract: The media disc package is a container for holding a media disc, a media disc with fine prints on top, and a magnifier formed of a transparent plastic material with a bar shape, a length of at least 4 inches, and a width of at least ½ inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Deborah L. Gaither
  • Patent number: 7726478
    Abstract: Containers for carrying firearm accessories (e.g., cleaning and maintenance supplies and tools) and/or supporting firearms are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a container includes a housing having an exterior side surface, an aperture in the exterior side surface, a storage device at the aperture, and a support structure at the housing. The storage device has a compartment and is movable between (a) a stowed position in which the compartment is positioned within the housing, and (b) a second position in which the compartment is at least partially external to the housing. The support structure is configured to interface with a removable firearm support for carrying a firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Battenfeld Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell A. Potterfield, Tim Morrow
  • Patent number: 7726479
    Abstract: A tool case has a lid and a base, and a panel arranged therebetween. Various structures are used to trap or otherwise retain tools, tool items or other stored items, such that they cannot accidentally fall out of their “home” positions, but such that they are readily removable by the user when desired. Such structures include, for example, retractable stops, depressions beneath stored items, weight-biased pivoting of holders, spring biasing of holders, trapping of items by the lid or by other item holders within the case, and various clip arrangements. Preferably the lid is transparent, and the tools or other items are arranged by height in step-wise fashion, the panel being stepped accordingly, to maximize visibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Team Fair Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Kailash C. Vasudeva
  • Patent number: 7726480
    Abstract: A display pack for a consumer product is made of two sheets of corrugated cardboard and a clear plastic container with a flat insertion portion sandwiched between the cardboard sheets. The two cardboard sheets are adhered together in a peripheral area of the package by a heat-sensitive adhesive, and the corrugations of the cardboard sheets are crushed and flattened in the peripheral area. To seal the package, the peripheral area of the two cardboard sheets is subject to sufficient pressure to crush the corrugations inside the cardboard sheets and flatten them in that area. Heat is applied to the outer side of the cardboard sheets in the peripheral area and conducted to the adhesive material between the two sheets to activate the adhesive material. A sealer machine with a heated sealing press or parallel sets of heated rollers may be used to carry out the sealing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Winterborne, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Nazari
  • Patent number: 7726481
    Abstract: A packaging container having a first housing member that includes walls that fit within an area defined by the walls of a second housing member, and a chamber cover that includes an area for housing or displaying goods. In one embodiment, the chamber cover is substantially surrounded by the opening of the first member of the housing, and includes a flange that abuts against the bottom of the first member of the housing to secure the chamber cover with respect to the housing, wherein the cover includes an area for housing or displaying goods. The chamber may also be integrally formed with the first housing member. The housing members may be made from a paper material that can include a substantially tear-resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Colbert Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn A. Grosskopf
  • Patent number: 7726482
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to container for reconfigurable products and, in particular, to a display package operable to display a product in multiple configurations. The display package may include product housing portions adapted to slide from a first, adjacent position, where one product portion is positioned adjacent to another product portion, to a second, separated position, where one product portion is spaced from the other product portion. The display package may include a plurality of product housings adapted to rotate with respect to each other along a common axis such that product portions within the product housings may be selectively aligned to form desired configurations of a completed, displayed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Rice
  • Patent number: 7726483
    Abstract: The container can be locked into a stack of containers. A container cover locks onto the top of a container base to define a sealed area for storage. Additionally, the bottom of a second container base can be locked onto the top of the cover of a first container. In this fashion, when closed containers are stacked, they form a locked stack that is more structurally rigid and therefore less precarious than a traditional, non-locked container stack. When not in use, the bases can be formed into a nested stack, and their covers can be locked together to form a locked cover stack. The locked cover stack can be locked to either the top or bottom of the nested base stack to form a rigid stack. In some embodiments, a cover can be turned upside down and its bottom face locked onto the bottom face of a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Anand Ramanujam, Ryan J. Coonce
  • Patent number: 7726484
    Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to provide a packaging material of gas-bag type for packaging easily deformable parts or devices of office equipment or OA equipment having various sizes and shapes such as containers containing toner, containers containing developing agent, photoconductors, process cartridges, and complex units of a developer and a toner collector. In order to achieve the object, a packaging material of gas-bag type is provided which comprises tube-like bodies and connecting portions, wherein the tube-like bodies are able to swell by being injected inner gas, the connecting portions connect the tube-like bodies in parallel, the tube-like bodies are bendable so as to wrap an article to be packaged, and the packaging material is formed from substantially flat two sheets of one front sheet and one back sheet in a condition that the inner gas is substantially evacuated from the tube-like bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norimitsu Komatsu, Hirobumi Sugano
  • Patent number: 7726485
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a switch for use with an article formed from paperboard. The article includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel each have a sliding surface facing one another. The first and the second panels are in sliding relation to one another between a first position and a second position. The switch comprises a conductive pathway disposed on the sliding surface of the first panel and a first contact surface is disposed on the sliding surface of the second panel and a second contact surface is disposed on the sliding surface of the second panel. The second contact surface is in spaced relation to the first contact surface so as to prevent electrical communication between the first and second contact surfaces. The conductive pathway of the first panel is in spaced relation to at least one of the first and second contact surfaces of the second panel when the first and second panels are in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Brian W. Brollier
  • Patent number: 7726486
    Abstract: A package 12 comprises a top panel 14 and a bottom panel 18, which are partially or totally laminated with tear resistance material for enhancing the structural integrity of the package 12. Severance lines form at least one front panel 30 and at least one back panel 44. The front panel 30 includes a tear notch 42a and at least one aperture 32. The back panel 44 includes a severance line 54. In one embodiment the panels 14, 18, 30, 44 are folded and attached, to form at least one trap door 58, and encapsulating at least one blister 34 holding an item. The trap door 58 is releasably attached within the top panel 14 and bottom panel 18. To gain access to a blister 34, a trap door 58 is at least partially detached along the severance lines 36, 48, and pushed out to access the tear notch 46. A portion of the trap door 58 is torn, at tear notch 46 and along the severance line 54, to access the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Marty Jones
  • Patent number: 7726487
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions and methods of use by which the compositions of this invention are applied topically to one or more body parts of at least two individuals who bring said body parts into contact with the other individual and, when said body parts come into contact with each other, permit the formulations to interact and thereby achieve an unexpected sensation to each individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Nawaz Ahmad, Cheng-Ji Cui, Bryant Ison, Elysha Huntington, Anthony Corwin Yumul, Jeffrey Lawrence Jeppesen
  • Patent number: 7726488
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device formed by a foldable card board sheet comprises a base portion, two wings extending perpendicularly from two opposite edges of the base portion, and two flaps extending perpendicularly from another two opposite edges of the base portion. The wings and the flaps are folded perpendicular to the base portion to enclose a space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Premier Image Technology (China) Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming Li
  • Patent number: 7726489
    Abstract: A packaging box includes a top plate, a bottom plate, two side plates, a front plate, and a rear plate. The packaging box has two shock absorbers extending from the bottom end of the two side plates respectively. Each of the shock absorbers includes a lower surface, a first side surface, an upper surface, and a second side surface extending from the bottom end of the corresponding side plate in sequence. The second side surface is formed opposite to the first side surface and is adjacent to the corresponding side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Premier Image Technology (China) Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming Li
  • Patent number: 7726490
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lid unit having a latching mechanism for firmly fixing the lid unit to a container body for containing semiconductor wafers and the like, which latching mechanism can be easily disassembled for cleaning and drying of its components, and to a wafer presser for retaining the semiconductor wafers in position when the container is shaken. The latching mechanism includes a locking member which, when projected, secures the lid unit to the container body; an actuator for moving the locking member between projected and retracted positions; a tip-side cam for pressing a tip portion of the locking member in one direction relative to the lid unit when the locking member is projected by the actuator; a base-end lower cam for pressing a base-end of the locking member in a second direction, opposite the one direction; and a base-end upper cam and a cam projection follower for pressing the base-end in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Miraial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiaki Matsutori, Tadahiro Obayashi, Takaharu Oyama
  • Patent number: 7726491
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing bitumen froth comprising a cyclone body having an elongated conical inner surface defining a cyclone cavity extending from an upper inlet region with a diameter DC to a lower apex outlet with a diameter DU of not less than about 40 mm; an inlet means forming an inlet channel extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity; and a vortex finder forming an overflow outlet of a diameter DO extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity toward said lower apex outlet and having a lower end extending an excursion distance below said inlet channel, said excursion distance being operable to permit a portion of bitumen that passes through said inlet channel to exit said overflow outlet without having to make a spiral journey down said cyclone cavity, wherein a lower end of the vortex finder within the cyclone cavity is disposed a free vortex height (FVH) distance from said lower apex outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: William Nicholas Garner, Donald Norman Madge, William Lester Strand
  • Patent number: 7726492
    Abstract: A separator device comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a magnetic separator rod or element being located within the housing to collect and separate from the flow of fluid through the housing magnetic particles carried by the flow of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Adey
  • Patent number: 7726493
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recovery of non-ferrous metal-comprising particles from a particle stream. According to the invention, the particle stream is put onto a conveyor belt in the form of a monolayer such that with the aid of a liquid, at least the non-ferrous metal comprising particles will adhere to the conveyor belt, and the mono-layer is subjected to a magnetic field rotating in the same direction as the belt, for the separation of non-ferrous metal-comprising particles, yielding the non-ferrous-enriched fraction, and subsequent to which the metal particles that are not nonferrous adhering to the conveyor belt are removed, yielding the non-ferrous metal-depleted fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Technische Universiteit Delft
    Inventors: Renata Dorothea Van Der Weijden, Peter Carlo Rem
  • Patent number: 7726494
    Abstract: A density current baffle for use in a clarifier tank maintains a first baffle portion having a lower end, an upper end and an intermediate central portion. The lower end of the baffle portion is coupled to a side wall of the clarifier tank and the upper end of the baffle portion is disposed, at a predefined angle, away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the first baffle portion slopes upwardly and away from the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Earle Schaller, Elaine Schaller
  • Patent number: 7726495
    Abstract: An award rack includes a strip of material. The strip of material includes an offset portion formed on each end. A fastener opening is formed through each offset portion. A substantial middle portion is created between the two offset portions. The award rack is attached to a flat surface with fasteners. A second embodiment of the award rack includes a strip of material, a pair of strap holders and a pair of straps. The pair of strap holders are attached to the strip of material and a pair of strap holders retain the pair of straps. A third embodiment of the award rack preferably includes a shelf, a first rack, a second and at least one figurine. The third embodiment of the award rack is preferably formed from a single plate. A fourth embodiment of the award rack includes at least two bar hangers and at least one notched bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Laura J. Merbeth
  • Patent number: 7726496
    Abstract: Shipping and storage systems convertible between containers and racks are provided. Collapsible shipping and storage systems are provided, which include pallets with novel locking mechanisms. An embodiment includes a first pallet having an interface fitting and a locking component, a second pallet having a second interface fitting and a second locking component, and structural support members positionable between the pallets for supporting one of the pallets in spaced relation over the other pallet. The structural support members may include frame members and walls interchangeable with one another. The frame members may be combined with the pallets to establish a rack system having an open storage area. The walls also may be combined with the pallets to establish a storage container having a compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Heinrichs, Donald Edmund Fabula, Eric Robert Boyd
  • Patent number: 7726497
    Abstract: A slewing crane is assembled and installed at the end of a shipping and stowage container having block-shaped corner fittings. Left and right rotatable mounts engage top corner fittings on the container, and a cross piece section engages the rotatable mounts. A boom section has upper and lower hinges rotatably mounting it on the cross piece section via the hinges' axially aligned pins to extend outwardly from the cross piece section. A hoist on the boom section lifts and moves loads, and first and second displacement mechanisms connected to the boom section linearly displace the hoist and angularly displace the hoist and boom section in a slewing motion around the axis of the axially aligned pins. An element connected between the cross piece section and a corner fitting is tensioned by a turnbuckle to securely engage both rotatable mounts and hold the slewing crane on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Darryl Updegrove, Garrett W. Leavitt, James Ellington Sovel
  • Patent number: 7726498
    Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to provide a sealed container which comprises a container comprising a thermoplastic resin and a stopper which is hardly slackening even when used in combination with the container, and a vacuum specimen-sampling container comprising the sealed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Anraku, Masahiro Nakaizumi, Mitsuru Naruta
  • Patent number: 7726499
    Abstract: A bottle holder with an indented base, which has a body sized and shaped to receive a bottle. At least a portion of the body is radially expandable. A grip is attached to the exterior of the body and a securing base is located within the interior of the body. The securing base is sized and shaped to receive the indented base of a bottle and, when in use, to prevent radial movement of the bottle. When a bottle is inserted into the body, it is received by the indented base and is securely held in the bottle holder by the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Innovative Household Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Williamson, Paul Gerrard
  • Patent number: 7726500
    Abstract: A hollow plastic container with a separately formed handle engaging the sidewall of the container and supported thereby. The handle includes an elongated portion extending upwardly over the major portion of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall and arm portions extending from the elongated portion towards the sidewall for engagement with the sidewall, wherein the sidewall receives the arm portions and holds the handle in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Young, Richard C. Darr, Christopher E. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 7726501
    Abstract: A three-dimensional frame structure or support structure for transporting and/or storing at least one object, which has a multitude of support elements, which are or can be joined to one another and extend at least along the outer edges of the frame structure or support structure while defining it. Each support element is made of a multilayered composite of tightly packed sheets or boards made of a corrugated paper or cardboard material, particularly corrugated board. A method for easily and rapidly producing a three-dimensional frame structure or support structure of the aforementioned type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mondi Technology Investments S.A.
    Inventors: Mark Macqueen, Roman Harrer
  • Patent number: 7726502
    Abstract: A collapsible container includes a plurality of walls collapsible onto the base. At least one wall has a support pivotably and slidably mounted to an upper end portion thereof. The support is pivotable between a support position where it is partially supported on an adjacent wall and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the wall can be pivoted downward onto the base, with a portion of the support passing through a channel formed on the interior of the adjacent wall. As the wall is pivoted to the upright position, the support is automatically deployed into the support position by its engagement with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 7726503
    Abstract: A packing that includes a bottle and/or a bottle and box combination wherein the container may have a first handle portion, a second handle portion, and a bottom grip portion. The first handle portion can extend in a front to back direction and the second handle portion can extend in a transverse direction to the first handle portion. The bottom grip may include a protrusion and recess on the bottom of the container. The box can be configured to have openings to provide access to the first and second handle portions such that the container need not be removed from the box to utilize the contents contained therein. The box may also include a bottom opening and a push-up portion to provide access to the bottom grip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: RING Container Technologies
    Inventors: Douglas M. Dygert, Daniel W. Gamber, Eugene E. Kuhar, Gary W. Price
  • Patent number: 7726504
    Abstract: A packaging system or method for protecting combustible material in a sprinkler-provided environment has an outer layer with a combustible surface covering a fire-retardant protection layer. Combustion of the surface of the outer layer promotes effective sprinkler operation, while combustible material is protected by the fire-retardant protection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 7726505
    Abstract: A vacuum pump valve includes a valve body and a suction element. The valve body includes a sealing platform sealedly attached on the container at the opening thereof, and a guiding sleeve upwardly extended from the sealing platform to form a suction channel, wherein the sealing platform has an operation hole formed thereon at a position within the suction channel and at least a through ventilating groove communicating the receiving cavity of the container with an exterior thereof. The suction element is disposed within the suction channel of the valve body, including an enlarged sealing head adapted to seal on the sealing platform to enclose the ventilating groove thereof, and a guiding shaft extended from the sealing head to slidably mount at the sealing platform at the operation hole to move the sealing head between a releasing position and a sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: George F. Cheung
  • Patent number: 7726506
    Abstract: A closure lid for a connecting element of a computer container, comprising an inner part which is maintained on an outer part of said lid and which is provided with an annular groove on the outer periphery thereof, said groove being defined by an annular web on the outer side of the lid and having a sealing ring inserted therein. In order to provide a closure lid which is embodied in such a way that it is possible to prevent the sealing ring from being raised radially from the base of the groove as a result of existing pressure and therefore to relieve the pressure inside the container before the open position of the closure container is reached, the annular web disposed on the outer side of the lid is provided with an uneven bearing surface for the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Heinrich Reutter
  • Patent number: 7726507
    Abstract: A container for hazardous wastes, such as, plutonium wastes, includes a can and a lid wherein the lid is locked to and sealed with respect to the can by radially projected locking bolts. In order to lock the lid to the can the bolts are cammed radially by rotating a U-shaped handle to place the locking bolts behind a locking rim at the mouth of the can. The bolts are then pivoted to apply an axial force to the locking rim to urge the lid against a gasket to seal the lid by turning a threaded axial force element to pivot the locking bolts on the fulcrums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish, Michael D. Peterson, Fred Louis Popish
  • Patent number: 7726508
    Abstract: A safety cap made of a mesh casing body and attachment frame and attached by snap-fitting or screw engagement to the pressure release valve of a pressure cooker or to the inner surface of the lid of the cooker so as to cover the pressure release valve, thus allowing no food particles to reach the pressure release valve and preventing the pressure release valve from being clogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Tom Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7726509
    Abstract: A container includes a bowl having a bowl interior space for holding solid material and a bowl opening for accessing the interior space of the bowl from an exterior of the bowl. The container also includes a bowl support having a bowl support interior space within which the bowl is located and a bowl support opening for accessing the interior space of the bowl support from an exterior of the container. The bowl is biased toward an upright orientation of the bowl independent of the rotational orientation of the bowl support. The bowl support opening overlies the bowl opening when both the bowl and the bowl support are in respective upright orientations, and the bowl support covers the bowl openings when the bowl support is tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Edison Nation, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley K. Shepard
  • Patent number: 7726510
    Abstract: A brush wiping device and a method of using the brush wiping device is disclosed. The brush wiping device can be attached to an upper surface of a container which is capable of housing a fluid, for example, paint. The brush wiping device includes a first surface, a second surface and a thickness therebetween. The brush wiping device also includes an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter. The inner perimeter extends completely through the thickness of the brush wiping device and is configured to include a brush dipping aperture, a brush wiping aperture and a brush transfer aperture. The brush transfer aperture communicates with both the brush dipping aperture and the brush wiping aperture. The brush wiping device further includes an attachment member used to removably secure the brush wiping device to the upper surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: David T. Bootz
  • Patent number: 7726511
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis product water storage tank having first and second molded shells coupled together to form an enclosure, a bladder within the enclosure and coupled to separate product water from squeeze water within the enclosure, a first port through a wall of the enclosure to provide water access to the product water side of the bladder, a second port through a wall of the enclosure to provide squeeze water access to the squeeze water side of the bladder and wherein the inner surfaces of the enclosure having a topography configured to define a plurality of channels between the inner surfaces of the enclosure and the bladder when the bladder is full of product water for accommodating squeeze water flow into the enclosure between the enclosure and the bladder when the bladder is full of product water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Next-RO, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy A. Beall
  • Patent number: 7726512
    Abstract: An aid for dining in stand-up and similar situations where a person may simultaneously support a plate and a beverage container by a single hand. The invention comprises a universal food holding receptacle that is stably mountable on upright beverage containers of widely diverse shapes and sizes. The user holds a lower portion of the beverage container in one hand and uses the other hand for other activities such as taking food items from the food holding receptacle that is supported on the beverage container. The food holding receptacle is stably mounted on the beverage container in loose-fitting relationship so that the receptacle can be repeatedly mounted on and demounted from the beverage container in a facile manner while dining. The same food holding receptacle may also be used, after turning upside-down, to stably support beverage containers of diverse shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Patrick MacCarthy
  • Patent number: 7726513
    Abstract: A product for hanging from a paper roll holder having at least one arm including a sheet-material dispenser and at least one hanging member for attaching the sheet-material dispenser to the at least one arm. In one embodiment of the invention, the second end of the hanging member that is removably attachable to the arm of the paper roll holder included an elastomeric strap for wrapping about both arms of a toilet paper holder. Since the sheet-material dispenser is attached to the arms of the paper roll holder, it is not necessary to remove the sheet-material dispenser when removing the spindle of the paper roll holder to change the paper roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Samuel Schlaupitz, Herb Flores Velazquez, Meara Catherine Kelley, David James Wilks, David N. Woods, Scott G. Manke, Zachary Robert Kowalski
  • Patent number: 7726514
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for collecting, sorting, counting and consolidating an unorganized pool of solid or semi-solid articles such as pills for dispensation. Specifically, the articles are extracted from inside a bin using attraction points on a transport substrate and sorted into containers in finite quantities. The system consists of several components, preferably including a torque source, a counter and a vacuum source, which are uniquely integrated onto a single end-effector to reduce cost and redundancy by servicing several bins. Further, the system presents a method of attracting and carrying pills using negative vacuum pressure, gravity and centrifugal force. This centrifugal force holds articles to the local attraction points and is provided by the spinning of the transport substrate. Pills are collected from the bin or plenum at the local attraction points, counted, cleaved from the local attraction points and guided to a container or vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: RxMedic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Janet, David Reinfeld
  • Patent number: 7726515
    Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing and disposable tissue roll dispenser is disclosed. The tissue roll dispenser may be made from, for instance, a lightweight paperboard and may contain various design elements on the exterior surface. The tissue roll dispenser may contain at least one vertically stacked column of tissue rolls that are gravity fed through the dispenser. For instance, the dispenser may include an opening towards the base of the dispenser for dispensing the tissue rolls. In one embodiment, the opening may be covered by a plastic film that defines a slit. The slit may have a size sufficient to allow the tissue rolls to be dispensed therethrough. The plastic film may be used to protect the tissue rolls from dust, dirt and wetness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Crystal Espinoza Sherman, Rebecca Catherine Mohr
  • Patent number: 7726516
    Abstract: A minute quantity viscous material dispenser employing a pressurized material source and a reciprocating piston is driven by a variable drive which is controlled in response to a signal reflective of piston position and wherein the drive can be controlled for direction, stroke distance, speed, acceleration, and force and wherein the drive is coupled to the piston through a quick disconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Harold J. Engel
  • Patent number: 7726517
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid dispensing package for a container adapted to contain a liquid that includes a hand operated liquid transport assembly coupled to an actuator, a liquid distribution subsystem in fluid communication with a discharge tube from the liquid transport assembly, wherein downward motion of the actuator, provided by a user, causes liquid to travel through the discharge tube to the actuator top surface, and a liquid draw-back subsystem wherein upward motion of the actuator, provided by a return spring, permits draw-back of liquid from the top surface of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Timothy Kennedy, Tami O'Connell
  • Patent number: 7726518
    Abstract: A dispenser, particularly suitable for a liquid container, comprising a liquid pump provided with an inlet having an inlet valve and an outlet having an outlet valve, an air pump provided with an inlet having an inlet valve and an outlet having an outlet valve, a mixing chamber which is in communication with the outlet of each pump, and a dispensing part provided with an outflow channel with an outflow opening, wherein the outflow channel is in communication with the mixing chamber, and wherein the outlet valve of the air pump is arranged adjacent to the outlet of the liquid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Calmar Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Markus Franciskus Brouwer