With Recess Or Groove For Article Patents (Class 206/564)
  • Patent number: 6095325
    Abstract: A tubular absorbent pad for food products and a method of manufacturing the pad are disclosed. The pad comprises at least one plastic sheet defining an outer layer of an axially elongated tube having a perforated moisture permeable portion. Absorbent material is disposed inwardly of the plastic sheet and defines at least one absorbent layer of the elongated tube, and super-absorbent material is disposed inwardly of the absorbent sheet, to form a tubular absorbent pad which can absorb liquid exuded from a food product. The invention further provides, in combination, a tray and one or more tubular absorbent pads, the tray being constructed and arranged for receiving the tubular absorbent pads. The tray comprises a body having a generally flat central section and four upstanding walls, the body defining at least one channel surrounding the central section which is shaped to receive tubular absorbent pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Ebrahim Simhaee
  • Patent number: 6089370
    Abstract: A system and method for storing and packing items are provided. Trays are provided with overlapping recesses conforming in shape at least partially to the perimeter of the items. The items are nested one within another on each tray, and each tray is nestingly engageable with other trays. Nesting thus occurs in at least two dimensions, and packing efficiency is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Peak Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Muhammad Zahur Mughal
  • Patent number: 6082542
    Abstract: A full-depth nestable crate includes a plurality of columns, projections and channels disposed along exterior and interior surfaces of a retainer wall such that a top crate is nestable within a bottom crate in a first position and stacked on top of a bottom crate when rotated 180.degree. to a second position with respect to the bottom crate. A plurality of stacking rings depend from the bottom floor and interlock a top crate with a bottom crate when crates are stacked or nested. Each stacking ring is aligned with a pocket in the crate and disposed over a bottle in a bottom crate. A bottle cap on the bottle seats within a depression formed in the stacking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventors: Patrick James McGrath, Robert C. Allabaugh, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6076876
    Abstract: A two cup carrier is described which stably accommodates two cups of any different size in two cup-receiving sockets. The tray is stabilized and strengthened by stabilizing legs and by a support gusset provided between the two cup-receiving sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: The Chinet Company Technology
    Inventors: Richard Vincent Letourneau, Mangat Rai Sharma
  • Patent number: 6074676
    Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce by improving the flow of ventilation air to the produce, and apparatus to practice the method. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays may be provided with tray vents which align with the ventilation channels. Alternatively, the trays may be formed without tray vents to improve some cooling regimes. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the baskets and thence through the produce packed inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Plexiform Company
    Inventors: Anthony Cadiente, William Sambrailo, Mark Sambrailo
  • Patent number: 6047884
    Abstract: A box with a side panels and at least one closing panel has at least one inner panel associated with one of the closing panels, wherein when the closing panel is in its open position, the inner panel is substantially parallel to that closing panel, and when that closing panel is folded to its closed position, the inner panel is moved toward the center of the box to a distanced position. When the inner panel is in the distanced position, at least a portion of the inner panel is at an oblique angle with respect to both the closing panel with which it is associated and the outer side panel to which that closing panel is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Motion Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Smith, Richard N. Beneroff, Eric Kim
  • Patent number: 6047701
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a tray with grooves and slots for recirculation of moist air for a humidor in operation, intended to conserve products, typically cigars, fresh and in their natural state. These grooves or channels are substantially parallel to each other, and each rounded groove preferably contains a lengthwise slot through the tray from the top to the bottom surface and located substantially in the bottom center of the rounded groove. These slots provide for the recirculation of moist air around and through each individual product. The humidor of the present invention consists of a plurality of such product-containing trays stacked and spaced vertically in a suitable case, including means for removal of the trays for insertion or removal of product. Space for moist air circulation is also provided around each sliding tray. The humidor of the present invention also contains a source of moisture and humidity sensing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Marvin Karpa Feldman
  • Patent number: 6048558
    Abstract: A packaged meal is provided in the form of a kit arrangement which is formulated and prepared for storage under refrigerated, non-frozen conditions for extended time periods within retail store showcase coolers. The kit includes a compartmentalized, hermetically sealed package, with a refrigerated baked flour-containing component or dough component within an overpouch which is sealed or unsealed and positioned within one of the compartments and being specially formulated to maintain its freshness and retarding staling during extended refrigerated storage within the hermetically sealed package. At least the compartment within which baked component is sealed has an anti-fogging agent component which further assists in maintaining freshness and retarding staling under even refrigerated, non-frozen conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Feldmeier, Reggie Finn, Mark R. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6045038
    Abstract: A box includes a plurality of outer panels collectively bounding an accommodation space for accommodating at least one item. At least some of the outer side panels have integrally formed inner side panels. The inner side panels may be automatically distanced from their respective outer side panels by moving the outer side panels from a collapsed flat position to an erected position. Certain panels of the box may be folded back on adjacent panels. The space between two panels may be utilized. For example it may be a display space, a compartment accessible through an opening panel, or a storage space for a dispenser pack. Opening or closing a panel on the box, or another action on the box, may trigger various functions of the box components or contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Motion Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Smith, Richard N. Beneroff, Eric Kim
  • Patent number: 6041933
    Abstract: Dunnage for shipping densely packed objects is disclosed. The dunnage consists of trays for supporting objects. Each tray includes a plurality of alternating, spaced first and second bays. Each first bay is adapted to hold one end of the object, while each second bay is adapted to hold the second end of the object. Matched first/second bay pairs are formed when two trays are placed with their bay openings facing one another. This allows each object to be retained by a first/second bay pair. To stack non-linear and symmetric objects in a high vertical density, a second set of trays is stacked on top of the first set of trays. The trays of the second set of trays are different in that the order of bays are opposite the order of bays in the first set of trays. This allows for opposite first/second bay pairs and greater vertical density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Jamestown Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay J. Baker
  • Patent number: 6036020
    Abstract: A dinner tray for safely carrying food, a number of cups and condiments includes a body having substantially flat top surface, a pair of sides, a pair of ends, and a surrounding annular lip. At least two octagonal shaped cup holding compartments having stepped down inner surfaces with slit openings and flat bottom surfaces therein to hold various size cups. A flat food holding surface is recessed into the top surface, and an elongated condiment reservoir is formed in the flat food holding surface extending between the pair of sides. The dinner tray may take several configurations, including one with two cup holding compartments at one end and the condiment reservoir at another end with the flat food holding surface therebetween. Or, the dinner tray may include one or two cup holding compartments at each end and the food holding surface and condiment reservoir formed between the end cup holding compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Las Distler
  • Patent number: 6012586
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical procedure kit for performing an angiographic or other medical procedure. The kit comprises a housing having a central compartment and two side compartments that can be filled with supplies and folded over the central compartment to form a sealed kit for shipment and storage. A shelf is supported in the central compartment and includes a number of wells for holding various medical instruments and supplies needed for the particular procedure and also has a sloped surface leading toward a drain hole for draining waste fluids from the shelf and into the central compartment. When a procedure is complete, the used equipment is placed into the housing and the housing is closed, sealed in a plastic bag, and discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Maxxim Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Vijay K. Misra
  • Patent number: 6010007
    Abstract: A unitary fragility packaging article for packaging at least one shock sensitive item within a container having multiple panels, includes in a preferred embodiment a platform portion defining a floor for supporting at least a portion of the item and having a peripheral edge including generally parallel front and rear edges and generally parallel side edges; a plurality of ribs disposed on the platform portion to project from the floor and to divide the floor into a plurality of item-supporting cells; and at least one of the cells being provided with at least a portion of a crush depression for forming a cushion distance between the floor and an adjacent panel of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignees: Plastofilm Industries, Inc., Roberts,Stephens, van Amburg Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Moren, Fred Schindler
  • Patent number: 6007854
    Abstract: Method for improved packing and cooling of produce by improving the flow of ventilation air to the produce, and apparatus to practice the method. According to the present invention, baskets for the packing of fruit are provided with ventilation channels disposed upon a lower surface of the basket. Vent apertures communicate between the ventilation channels and the produce stored in the baskets. After packing the baskets with produce, they are loaded into trays. The trays may be provided with tray vents which align with the ventilation channels. Alternatively, the trays may be formed without tray vents to improve some cooling regimes. In this manner, entire pallets of produce-filled baskets can be efficiently chilled by introducing a flow of cooling air into the baskets and thence through the produce packed inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Plexiform Company
    Inventors: Anthony Cadiente, William Sambrailo, Mark Sambrailo
  • Patent number: 6003673
    Abstract: A packaging unit includes a body delimited by a peripheral edge, and defining inside the peripheral edge at least one hollow compartment containing at least one liquid or semi-liquid product, and having an opening. A removable element is provided for obturating the opening in a leakproof manner. A groove forming a gutter is arranged substantially all around the opening of at least one of the compartments. The gutter is capable of receiving a quantity of the product which can escape from the compartment during its opening or during the manipulation of the packaging unit after it has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Valerie Vieu
  • Patent number: 6003671
    Abstract: A container includes two container members which, when together, form an interior which includes a cup sized and shaped to hold a cupcake. The cup has a bottom, sides, and at least one protrusion extending inwardly from at least one of the sides. The protrusion is positioned and protrudes inwardly enough such that, when a cupcake in a cupcake baking liner is placed in the cup, the protrusion is below the top of the cupcake baking liner and the protrusion holds the cupcake in a substantially stationary position. One of the members may be a top member and the other, a bottom member. The bottom member (the member with the cup(s)) may have vertical pleats in opposite sides of the cup(s). The pleats are spreadable at the top of the cup(s) to allow easier removal of a cupcake. The pleats are also compressible to allow the member to better hold a cupcake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventors: Renee Ann McDonough, Colleen Marie Patrona, Peggy Ann McGinnis, Brenda J. Marlowe, Denise Marie McGinnis, Robert Joseph McGinnis
  • Patent number: 6000548
    Abstract: An improved drug delivery kit and method of packaging the same. The method includes providing a tray having first and second recesses for receiving a drug delivery device and drug cartridge respectively, and an opening in the tray within the second recess, placing the drug delivery device in the first recess, covering the tray with a sealable material, sealing the material to the tray so as to create a seal around the first and second recesses, so as to isolate the first recess from the second recess, sterilising the tray, and inserting the drug cartridge through the opening and into second recess. The opening is sized such that insertion of the drug cartridge through the opening and into the second recess elastically stresses the tray and removal of the drug cartridge from the opening irreversibly deforms the tray, thereby creating a tamper-proof drug delivery kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Elan Corporation, plc
    Inventor: Izrail Tsals
  • Patent number: 5988394
    Abstract: A tray (1) has an upper surface (3) an upper surface provided with a plurality or pockets (10) for containing parts (50) in a regular, longitudinal arrangement at a predetermined pitch in a single row. The tray (1) has a pair of longitudinal first side surfaces (6A, 6B), and teeth (30) are arranged at equal intervals on the first side surfaces (6A, 6B). Pins (35) driven by a linear driving mechanism are fitted in grooves (38) between the adjacent teeth (30) to feed the tray (1) accurately in the longitudinal direction. A tray assembly of a desired capacity can be formed by combining a necessary number of the trays (1) in a transverse arrangement by engaging the teeth (30) of the tray (1) with the grooves (38) of the adjacent tray (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takao Emoto, Hisayoshi Kunii
  • Patent number: 5979643
    Abstract: A dental implant prosthesis component package and display system for containing sterile dental prostheses and components thereof for convenient use by a dentist or oral surgeon is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Nobel BioCare USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Blonder, Gregory T. Anascavage, Gregory M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5979656
    Abstract: A new taco holding tray for holding tacos and taco condiments. The inventive device includes an annular base having a top, a bottom, an inner perimeter, and an outer perimeter. The inner perimeter of the annular base defines a center hole. The annular base has a plurality of spaced apart radial grooves extending radially outwards from the inner perimeter of the annular base to the outer perimeter of the annular base. Each of the radial grooves has an upper opening formed at the top of the annular base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Arthur R. Northcott, Tony Korosak
  • Patent number: 5971139
    Abstract: A plate section includes a planar inner section, surrounded by a raised lip. A cup holder for holding a beverage container is attached to the plate section by an intermediate section. A hand grip extends downward from the intermediate section. The hand grip is hollow and provides space for tableware and condiments. Also, the hand grip has a plurality of serrations to facilitate gripping the hand grip. A plurality of supports extend downward from the plate section to provide additional support to the plate section when the food and beverage tray is placed upon a supporting a surface. The supports are spaced apart so as to extend downward on opposite sides of a person's arm when the food and beverage tray is held. A supplemental beverage container holder, including a pair of supplemental cup holders, connected by a supplemental intermediate section, may be inserted into the rest of the food and beverage tray. A supplemental hand grip extends downward from the supplemental intermediate section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Vincent H. Bradley
  • Patent number: 5964343
    Abstract: A carrying plate (1) for beverage cans (5) which have a seamless transition between base and casing is described, can receiving portions (2) being provided on the upper side of the plate with resilient holding devices (3) for the beverage cans (5) distributed over the perimeter and protruding from the upper side of the plate. In order to create advantageous construction conditions, it is proposed that the resilient holding devices (3) should form gripping jaws (4) for resiliently pressing in the casing of a can, and that the can receiving portions (2) should have, as well as these resilient holding devices, rigid axial guide webs (8) for the beverage cans (5) to be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Steiner Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Steiner
  • Patent number: 5960982
    Abstract: A combined plate and cup holder incorporates an integral cup holder, the bottom surface of which serves as a convenient means of holding the plate. Access to the bottom surface of the cup holder is enhanced with a raised hand passthrough element connecting the rim of the plate to the cup holder, which also serves to lower the center of gravity of the plate with respect to the diner's hand, thereby facilitating the balance of the plate on the diner's hand and increasing security and comfort. The lower surfaces of the plate and cup holder are substantially coplanar, allowing the plate to rest stably on a flat surface. The cupholder extends above the rim of the plate, providing increased stability for a cup or beverage can. Both full-size and small embodiments of the buffet plate are presented, with the full-size plate having the cupholder positioned near the center of the plate for improved comfort and balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: Robert Perlis, Thomas Prusinski
  • Patent number: 5960953
    Abstract: A tray for supporting a plurality of nail packs is provided. The tray includes a generally rectangular planar tray body having a nail supporting surface and an outer periphery. A stiffening wall projects vertically from the outer periphery of the tray body and terminates at an upper end. A generally planar lip extends laterally from the upper end of the stiffening wall. A sensing structure extends vertically from the nail supporting surface of the tray body beyond the upper end of the stiffening wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: 5947011
    Abstract: A food plate for containing food and supporting a beverage container wherein the plate and beverage container are held together as a unit by one hand of a person. The food plate has a flat top surface and at least one depression formed therein for containing a food item. A first aperture formed in the plate is sized and shaped to allow passage of a beverage container partially therethrough and engage a mid portion of the beverage container such that the center of gravity of the container is even with or below the top surface of the plate and the lower portion of the container exterior is exposed on the underside of the plate. A second aperture formed in the plate adjacent to the first aperture is sized and shaped to receive the thumb of the person's hand from the underside of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Yuhuan Xu
  • Patent number: 5947284
    Abstract: A package tray for holding a medical instrument having a resiliently flexible distal end portion improves the control of the distal end during removal of instrument by limiting the withdrawal of the distal end portion of the instrument from an arcuate portion of storage space in the tray to movement in a direction longitudinal with respect to the instrument, thereby preventing side to side whipping motion of the distal end portion upon withdrawal of the instrument from the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventor: Brian W. Foster
  • Patent number: 5927503
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an integrated circuit device comprises at least one insert having at least one beveled hole therein, the insert adapted to receive at least one semiconductor device. The apparatus further includes a tray having a pocket for receiving the insert and a slot, a deformable segment on the insert, and at least three posts on the insert. Further included is at least one tab on the deformable segment with one of the slots receiving the tab. The slot in the tray and the tab on the insert movably attaches the insert to the tray, the insert being self-aligning to a processing apparatus thereby in conjunction with the posts and allowing for removal of the insert from the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland R. Nevill, William C. Layer, Steven L. Hamren, Gregory A. Barnett
  • Patent number: 5913426
    Abstract: A container for holding and displaying elongated objects in an upright, vertical position. The container includes a double side wall assembly formed by folding a folding panel against a side wall and adhering it to the bottom of the container. Because the folding panel is of slightly greater length than the side wall, when the container is erected, the folding panel buckles inward to engage the contained objects and hold them in an upright position. The folding panel may form cavities for receiving and engaging the contained objects. The invention also provides a planar blank for making such a container, as well as a substantially flat, glued blank for use with automatic packaging equipment. The container of this invention is machine formable, thereby facilitating efficient forming and loading of the container by the packager, manufacturer or distributor of the merchandise to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventors: Heidi R. Lotz Renfro, James J. Brown, Henry Renella, Joseph Petruska, Wilhelm B. Bronander
  • Patent number: 5911326
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a tray for inspecting the surfaces of semiconductor wafers, which can enhance the success at visually identifying flaws on the edge of the semiconductor wafer and can reduce the irregular reflection occurring in the tray. According to this invention, the tray for inspecting the surfaces of semiconductor wafers of this invention includes a panel-shaped tray body 1; and a support frame 3 installed on the surface of the tray body vertically, capable of loading a semiconductor wafer 5 in a manner elevated from and parallel with the tray body 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu Electronic Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5906598
    Abstract: A drip chamber includes a cap that extends the field of view of a droplet in a vertical direction above the plane of the droplet, as well as horizontally in the plane of the droplet. The drip chamber has a deformable body and an interior volume to accommodate manual air purging and priming by squeezing the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Giesler, Dale R. Ellis, Mark R. Vandlik
  • Patent number: 5897835
    Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine incudes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems incudes a paddle that engages a side of the sample tray. The paddle is slideably mounted to a shaft with a collar that slides over the shaft. A motor and drive belt is provided to move the collar along the shaft, causing the paddle to engage the side of the sample tray and slide the sample tray across the base pan. Track sections are provided in the base pan to prevent the sample tray from rotating as the paddle slides the sample tray across the base pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: bioMerieux Vitek, Inc.
    Inventors: William Ernest Seaton, Mark Joseph Fanning, JoAnne T. Gerst
  • Patent number: 5890589
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tabletop organizer having compartments for the storage of various items such as condiments, jewelry, hardware and the like, and which also contains one or more display pockets integrated into the tabletop organizer where photographic, pictographic, or other types of graphic materials may be held and easily viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Stella Lorens
  • Patent number: 5887749
    Abstract: A food container especially for pet feeding has a plurality of compartments at least one compartment of which is circular to house canned wet food. The inside walls of the compartments include a upper rim wall portion set back at a rim wall base elevation between the compartment floors and the container top surface that is the same in all compartments. The setback provides a continuous shoulder lining each compartment adjacent the rim wall base. A lid for the container has at least one closed course protrusion raised in the underside of the lid. The protrusion has peripheral shape and outside dimensions sufficiently corresponding to the peripheral shape and internal dimensions of the rim walls of the circular and the other of the compartments, to interferingly nest the protrusion within the circular and other compartments above the shoulder of the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Philip E. Schommer
    Inventors: Philip E. Schommer, David L. Waldron
  • Patent number: 5871147
    Abstract: A box includes a plurality of outer panels collectively bounding an accommodation space for accommodating at least one item. At least some of the outer panels have integrally formed inner panels and distancing flaps for holding the item accommodated at a distance from the respective outer panel. The inner panels are distanced from their respective outer panels by folding an associated closing panel or distancing flap with respect to the outer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Motion Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Smith, Richard N. Beneroff, Eric Kim
  • Patent number: 5857583
    Abstract: A food service container comprises a tray and a lid preferably composed of a leak-resistant, absorptive moldable material such as molded fiber. The tray has a first body portion and a first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The first body portion has a primary food storage compartment and at least one beverage cup holding pocket. The beverage cup holding pocket forms resilient, deflectable side wall sections allowing the pocket to firmly hold beverage cups of different sizes. The lid is hingedly mounted to the tray. The lid includes a second body portion and a second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion. The lid is moveable between an open position and a closed position. When the lid is in the closed position, the lid covers the primary food storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventors: Annette M. Chantaca, Keith C. Higginson
  • Patent number: 5851484
    Abstract: A system and method for handling contaminated operating room surgical instruments includes a rectangular porous strainer which is sufficiently large to fully contain a variety of surgical tools and instruments and a waterproof rectangular basin, sized to receive the strainer. The basin is adapted to fit stably onto a conventional surgical ring stand either alone, or with a separate adapter. The system replaces conventional round surgical basins which are not capable of safely containing the larger or longer surgical instruments typical of many modern surgical procedures. Utilizing the system eliminates the current practice of manually transferring contaminated instruments from the round surgical basins into larger soaking trays for transportation to the decontamination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventors: JoAnn Forno, Linda Lohr
  • Patent number: 5848691
    Abstract: A package 10 for maintaining the predetermined desired non-planar, three-dimensional shape of the distal tip 14 of a flexible catheter, cannula, sphincterotome or the like 12 includes a non-relaxing mounting tray 18 with a non-planar, three-dimensional structure 20 restricting movement of the distal tip 14, and a non-relaxing cover 26 detachably secured to the tray 18, trapping part and only part of the distal tip 14 against the three-dimensional structure 20 of the tray 18. The package 10 also includes a particularly configured non-relaxing insert 38 removably received in a bore 16 in the distal tip 14. The tray 18, cover 26 and insert 38 together support the distal tip 14 throughout its entire length. The structure 20 of the tray 18 includes a ramped, relatively tightly arced groove 24 on which the distal tip 14 lies. The cover 26 lies over at least the ramped, arced groove 24 and includes a pair of notches 30 receiving the distal tip 14 therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene C. Morris, Mark C. Martel
  • Patent number: 5820904
    Abstract: A meat product package for storing and displaying a plurality of tubular meat products preferably in an arcuate configuration, the package having a meat product forming section with plural arcuate recesses utilizing overformed recess edges to hold the tubular meat products in a curved position under tension within the recesses for storage and display. An alternative embodiment includes a method of arcuately shaping straight sticks of meat products cooked or smoked in a casing and placing them in a formed film pocket made on a form-fill-seal rollstock packaging machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Mello, Roger S. Williams, Jeffrey A. Williams
  • Patent number: 5813748
    Abstract: A transaction tray comprises a tray portion and a hinged lid portion. The tray portion has a transaction compartment and a storage compartment, and lighting means associated with the transaction compartment. The lid portion has a flat outer surface and a parallel inner surface. A first transparent window is provided in the outer surface of the lid and a second transparent window in the inner surface. A first translucent advertising substrate is displayed in the first window and a second translucent advertising substrate is displayed in the second window. A lighting means is provided between the first and second translucent substrates whereby the transaction tray will be lit by the lighting means and the translucent advertising substrates will be displayed and backlit from both sides of the hinged lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Peter Nicholas Maxymych
  • Patent number: 5803305
    Abstract: A combined plate and cup holder incorporates an integral cup holder, the bottom surface of which serves as a convenient means of holding the plate. Access to the bottom surface of the cup holder is enhanced with a raised hand passthrough element connecting the rim of the plate to the cup holder, which also serves to lower the center of gravity of the plate with respect to the diner's hand, thereby facilitating the balance of the plate on the diner's hand and increasing security and comfort. The lower surfaces of the plate and cup holder are substantially coplanar, allowing the plate to rest stably on a flat surface. The cupholder extends above the rim of the plate, providing increased stability for a cup or beverage can.Both full-size and small embodiments of the buffet plate are presented, with the full-size plate having the cupholder positioned near the center of the plate for improved comfort and balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventors: Robert Perlis, Thomas Prusinski
  • Patent number: 5799795
    Abstract: A lap tray for use by a sitting person has a base plate, an upright midportion rising from the base plate and a tray attached to the upper end of the midportion. In use the base plate is held down under one thigh of the person, the midportion between the thighs, and the tray rests on the other thigh. Food and beverage receptacles may hang from the tray portion to one side of the person, allowing for unobstructed use of the tray in an automobile by a driver sitting behind a steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Richard B. Mease
  • Patent number: 5794796
    Abstract: A storage rack for retaining software devices having a variety of configurations. A one-piece body is formed with a central platform having a pair of side support racks with aligned grooves for receiving an edge of a CD ROM package. A central support rack is positioned below the grooves and intermediate the side support racks such that CD ROM packages supported within the grooves of the side support racks are suspended over the central support rack. The central support rack is formed with a plurality of equally spaced dividers, with each divider having an elongated slot extending transversely along its length and on either side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Weisburn
  • Patent number: 5792422
    Abstract: A tray and process for hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization of medical articles. The tray includes a bottom surface and side walls defining a space to receive articles to be sterilized. The bottom surface of the tray includes a number of inlet passages and wells with a known volume. In the process of the present invention, articles to be sterilized are placed in the tray, and aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide is delivered into the tray. When the excess hydrogen peroxide is drained through the inlet passages, a known volume of peroxide remains in the wells. Such remaining hydrogen peroxide is then vaporized to achieve sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Szu Min Lin, Paul Taylor Jacobs, Su-Syin Wu
  • Patent number: 5779053
    Abstract: A preparation tray for use in a medical procedure involving a solution and one or more swab implements for applying the solution to a patient. The preparation tray, which may be held in the hand or supported on a surface, may be formed as a removable component of a surgical kit. The preparation tray includes a relatively planar sheet having a pair of opposed sides and various embossments for retaining medical implements such as swabs and solution utilized in the medical procedure. A digit opening may be provided on an opposed side of the sheet to accommodate a user's fingers as the tray is held in the hand. The tray further includes a pressing surface formed between two opposed sides of the sheet that communicates with a basin embossment that holds a quantity of the solution. A user may compress the swab implement against the pressing surface to remove excess solution absorbed by the swab, which is returned to the basin embossment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Partika, Vivekanand Arya, Christopher Johnson
  • Patent number: 5775507
    Abstract: A hair colorist palette that is triangular in shape that allows the colorist or hair stylist to conveniently have available all tools and supplies needed for a single process or for use in dimensional coloring. The hair colorist palette provides two large wells to hold different hair colors and a mixing chamber adjacent to the wells together with a round well for holding a bottle of permanent or semi-permanent hair coloring or extra liquid developer. In addition, a straight slot is provided for storing of brushes and/or squares of aluminum foil together with two small openings for the handles of additional brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Terrill W. Wood
  • Patent number: 5772038
    Abstract: A parts transporting tray (1) has a rectangular body, a plurality of parts receiving pits (6) formed in the upper face of the body, rows of detention means (2) each formed along one of perimeters of the body such that the adjacent trays can engage one with another, and a locking means (5) for keeping engaged the detention means of the adjacent trays. Each row consists of an upper and lower series of recesses (3) and protrusions (4) alternating one another at a constant pitch and being of a half thickness of the body. The protrusions on one perimeter are staggered with respect to those on the other perimeter, and each protrusion having a hooking portion (4a) facing transverse sides of the tray's body. The protrusions on one tray can loosely fit in the recesses on the other tray, and the trays are caused to slide relatively so that the protrusions on the neighboring trays engage with the recesses when a desired number of the trays are disintegratively connected one to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignees: Gold Industries Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kentaro Murata, Noriho Matsuzoe, Takao Emoto, Hisayoshi Kunii
  • Patent number: 5769213
    Abstract: A device for carrying an article such as a pen, pencil, eyeliner, nail file, flashlight, and the like, includes a flat, rigid base sized and configured to fit within a credit card slot of a wallet or purse so that a peripheral edge zone remains exposed exteriorly of the slot, and a receptacle formed along the peripheral edge zone of the base for releasably capturing the article thereon and defining a handle to facilitate removal of the device from the card slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Philip Chatterton
  • Patent number: 5770249
    Abstract: A meat product package for storing and displaying a plurality of tubular meat products, preferably in an arcuate configuration, having a meat product forming station with plural arcuate recesses utilizing overformed recess edges to hold the tubular meat products in a curved position within the recesses for storage and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Mello, Jeffrey A. Williams, Roger S. Williams
  • Patent number: 5768463
    Abstract: An enclosure assembly for optical fibre splices or other optical fibre components comprises a plurality of trays disposed in a stack with the trays inclined at a common angle to a longitudinal axis of the stack. Each tray is of generally elliptical shape in plan and is pivotally mounted, adjacent one end of its major axis, to an upright support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
    Inventors: Raymond Charles Foss, Andrew Stephen Cammack
  • Patent number: 5765687
    Abstract: A packing case for honeycomb structures is constituted by a case and a honeycomb structures-holding plate accommodated inside the case. The case is constituted in one piece by at least a bottom plate and side plates, and the honeycomb structures-holding plate is constituted by a honeycomb structures-holding portion, legs and slippage-preventing portions. The honeycomb structures-holding portion has a plurality of holes for holding honeycomb structures and is provided at about the same height as the vertical-direction center of the side plates of the case in such a manner that the portion is parallel to the bottom plate of the case and abuts against the side plates of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Matsubara, Ken Matsudo, Yukio Kobayashi