With Recess Or Groove For Article Patents (Class 206/564)
  • Patent number: 5762192
    Abstract: Disclosed is a packaged element containing a) a substrate that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and has at least one recess, b) a cover that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum, c) a structure for maintaining the cover in contact with the substrate such that the cover filters incident radiation entering the recess, and d) an element located in the recess and having a substance thereon that is curable by exposure to the actinic radiation. Also disclosed is an article containing a) a substrate having at least one recess with an interior surface, b) an element having a tacky substance on a surface thereof, and c) a structure for positioning the element inside the recess such that the tacky substance does not separate from the element upon removal from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dwight W. Jacobs, Kenneth E. Hoevel, Bruce E. Chester
  • Patent number: 5746319
    Abstract: A tray for storage and transportation of multiple pin grid array (PGA) integrated circuit components each having a planar housing and plurality of terminal pins arranged in spaced rows. The tray has a framework for supporting upstanding ribs that engage the integrated circuit component. Each upstanding rib lies along an axis in one of two sets of intersecting axes and aligns with and fits between certain spaced rows to support the bottom of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: R.H. Murphy Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5747084
    Abstract: A baked pizza crust is provided having a water activity in the range of about 0.6-0.85, the baked crust being suitable for use in a refrigerated, ready-to-eat pizza kit. Also provided is a kit for preparing ready-to-eat pizza, the kit including pizza crust, pizza sauce and one or a plurality of pizza toppings which are hermetically sealed from the external atmosphere in a package having a base tray and a top fitted and sealed to the base tray. Preferably, each food item is in a separate compartment sealed from the other food items to substantially retard or prevent flavor, moisture and microbial migration from one food item to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart A. Cochran, Steven J. Goll, Howard C. Lippincott, Gary A. Winkler
  • Patent number: 5738827
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding reagent and sample vessels. The apparatus has reagent and sample vessel racks, a carousel supporting the racks, guiding pins that serve to guide the racks as they are mounted on the carousel and also serve to attach the racks to the carousel. Each of the racks has a handle that is used to lift the racks from the carousel. The grip of the handle is located above the center of gravity of its corresponding rack when the rack is lifted by the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: LJL Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel A. Marquiss
  • Patent number: 5729960
    Abstract: A method of using an assembly line and shipping container including the step of first providing the container. The container has an outer shell, a first pad element and a second pad element. The pad elements have an inside surface and an outside surface. Compressible elements are coupled to the outside surfaces of the pad elements. The inside surfaces of the pad elements are oppositely aligned with respect to each other inside the outer shell. The first and second pad elements include a first and a second longitudinal slot respectively, the slots aligned opposite each other. During use, the container is placed on an assembly line having at least one work station. A board component is inserted into the container along the longitudinal slots. The board component is removed from the container at the work station. Work then is performed on the board component. The board component is placed back into the container after performing the work and the board component is shipped inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Davis
  • Patent number: 5713619
    Abstract: A beverage cup carrier includes multiple pockets arranged in laterally spaced relation. Each pocket includes a bottom wall, a plurality of conical side wall portions, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs. The side wall portions encompass the bottom wall and extend upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The side wall portions are circumferentially spaced from each other and form surface portions of a curved surface of an imaginary inverted cone. The webs interconnect the side wall portions and extend radially inward from the curved surface of the imaginary inverted cone. Each of the webs includes a flat central section and a pair of opposing side sections connecting the central section to adjacent ones of the conical side wall portions. The central section extends upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall. The pair of opposing side sections of each of the webs form surface portions of a curved surface of a respective imaginary upright cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: John P. DuBois, Richard C. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 5709300
    Abstract: A slide tray package has, in combination, a slide tray for holding a recording medium (such as a compact disc or audio cassette) and a housing therefor. In the slide tray a receiving area is disposed between the ends and sides thereof for receiving the recording medium for horizontal movement therewith. The slide tray leading end is adapted for automated loading of the slide tray into the housing by being both horizontally tapered and vertically beveled to facilitate telescopic insertion of the slide tray leading end through a leading end of the housing and into a trailing end of the housing. The slide tray trailing end defines a vertically protruding lip configured and dimensioned as a stop for engaging a leading end of the housing to limit the telescopic insertion of the slide tray into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Ivy Hill Corporation
    Inventors: David Bolognia, Arthur Kern, Patrick O'Brien, George Rufo, Jr., Veronica Ann Buffington
  • Patent number: 5706966
    Abstract: A multiple tier dessert container includes a container, a lid, a plurality of trays, and at least one handle. The container has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side. The perimeter of the first end of the container is terminated with an angled edge of uniform thickness. The recessed cavity extends around the perimeter thereof, and is sized to be received by the angled edge of the container such that the lid snugly fits onto the container. The first side and second side have a plurality of ledges which are formed therein. Each tray has a length, a width and at least one area for storing decorated desserts. The size of the storage area is dictated by the size of decorated dessert. The width of each tray is sized to slidably fit in the container. The length of each tray is sized to firmly fit between an attached lid and the second end of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Donna Torreano Rothe
  • Patent number: 5697512
    Abstract: An improved tray which can be held and stabilized using one hand and forearm is disclosed. The surface of the tray is positioned away from the forearm so that hot foods can be provided on the tray surface without injury or discomfort to one using the tray. A stabilizing member which has a shape generally conforming to the curvature of the forearm is positioned on one side of the tray and on the opposite side extends a cup holder. The stabilizer element and cup holder extend downwardly from the tray an equal distance which enables the device to be rested on a table or flat surface. A further feature of the invention allows for the nesting of the trays on top of one another for storage or shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: David A. Brickley
  • Patent number: 5678694
    Abstract: A food and beverage tray that includes food sections and a beverage section, the latter to hold a beverage container and finger receiving means as a part of the tray in said beverage section wherein at least one finger of a hand may be used to stabilize and hold the beverage container wherein the remaining fingers and palm of the hand hold and stabilize the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Michael K. Tanaka
    Inventors: Michael K. Tanaka, Masao Morisaku
  • Patent number: 5674456
    Abstract: A transportable container for a medical specimen, preferably in the form of a Coplin jar. The container includes a jar molded from a thermoplastic material having an open top, with the lid hingedly coupled to the top of the jar for movement between open and closed positions. The top of the jar includes a rim projecting upwardly therefrom, with the lid having a recessed inside surface including a sealing ring therein shaped like the projecting rim. The sealing ring contacts the rim and seals thereagainst when the lid is closed. A snap lock latch is coupled to the lid and releaseably snap locks to a keeper on the jar to positively lock the lid to the jar to prevent leaks. The container can be used with a kit which includes a tray which receives the container in sideways fashion only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Quintus Chess
    Inventors: Quintus Chess, Joseph Z. Eisner, Henry C. Oksman
  • Patent number: 5660280
    Abstract: A food service tray for a thermalization cart is injection molded as a one-piece integral tray. The tray includes a plurality of integral compartments some of which are for the placement of food items that are going to be heated (a heatable or hot compartment), the other compartments of which are for the placement of food items that will remain cold (a cold compartment). The bottom wall of each of the heatable compartments is of less thickness than the bottom wall of each of the cold compartments. Additionally, the upper surfaces of the bottom walls of each of the heatable compartments are in a first common plane that is coplanar to a second common plane formed by the bottom surfaces of the bottom walls of each of the cold compartments. Therefore, the bottom surfaces of the bottom walls of the heatable compartments are naturally in a third common plane that is axially below the second common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Seco Products Corporation
    Inventors: Steven H. Wiederhold, Clifford M. Oelfke
  • Patent number: 5649626
    Abstract: A protector for carrying a flat wire harness with a flat wire part and connectors, includes a bottom porion and a rim porion around the bottom portion. The bottom member is provided for positioning and holding the flat wire harness such that the flat wire apart is stretched and the connectors are fit in recesses formed in the bottom portion. The rim portion extends upward and radially outward from the bottom portion for enabling plural protectors to be stacked vertically with a flat wire harness stored in each bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohito Sawamura, Kiyokazu Iio
  • Patent number: 5648136
    Abstract: A flexible carrier tape for storage and delivery of components by an advancement mechanism, comprises a strip portion, a plurality of aligned pockets spaced along the strip portion for carrying the components, wherein each pocket includes a bottom wall, and a non-pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer on the bottom wall of the pocket for retaining a component in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Gerald C. Bird
  • Patent number: 5641061
    Abstract: A tray with an interior (2) for displaying objects and with a frame (3) around it. The interior has an upper layer (15) and a lower layer (16) of thin plastic. The objects being displayed rest on the upper surface (18) of the interior. The object of the invention is a tray that is easier to manufacture and use. The upper layer is accordingly manufactured separate from the frame and attached to it later.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Marie-Henriette de Muylder-Braun
  • Patent number: 5636743
    Abstract: A tray for temporarily or permanently receiving beads for bead work has a plurality of separate compartments, each with a separate cover. A single sheet of material can be vacuum formed to create the compartments, and the covers can also be vacuum formed. A rib on the covers is received within the compartments and frictionally engages the side walls to hold the covers in place. One end of each compartment has angled walls to provide a funnel arrangement, leading to a pour spout, and an upwardly ramped bottom portion directs beads to the spout. The cover can be reversed and used to prevent spilling of beads during pouring. The tray can also define one of more design grooves for laying out the pattern of beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Dal-Craft, Inc.
    Inventor: Emil J. Dalbo
  • Patent number: 5636745
    Abstract: A tray for housing integrated circuit components or chips and an apparatus for transporting the chips to the tray from a bulk supply of chips. The tray protects the chips against damage during handling, storage and shipping, can be readily and repeatedly connected to another like tray in a releasable manner, and is designed for positive alignment with respect to the apparatus. The apparatus is manually activated and readily transports the chips without damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney E. Crisp, Terry W. Davis, Stephen B. Van Ogle
  • Patent number: 5636736
    Abstract: A package includes a) a tray that transmits less than about 0.5% of selective actinic radiation and having a top surface and at least two recesses in the top surface, each recess adapted to hold a light-curable material, b) a rigid plate covering the recesses that transmits less than about 0.5% of actinic radiation and transmits at least part of the visible light spectrum, such that the plate is sufficiently transparent to permit viewing inside the recesses, c) an arrangement for maintaining the plate in contact with the top surface of the tray to permit the plate to slide relative to the tray and filter incident radiation entering the recess, and d) a light-curable material in at least one of the recesses, that is curable upon removal of the rigid plate and exposure to sufficient actinic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dwight W. Jacobs, Kenneth E. Hoevel, Bruce E. Chester
  • Patent number: 5634559
    Abstract: A package tray configured for use with at least one other such tray in forming reclosable enclosed packages includes a recess portion having an upper edge, a flange portion projecting from the upper edge and having upper and lower sides, at least one snap fastener of a first type located on the flange portion, and at least one snap fastener of a second type located on the flange portion in spaced relationship to the at least one fastener of the first type. Each of the first and second type fasteners is configured to be fastenable on both said upper and lower sides of said flange portion to opposing fasteners of like package trays. The first and second type fasteners are disposed on the flange portion so that when multiples of the package trays are placed in vertically stacked relationship, at least one opposing pair of the fasteners on adjacent trays engage each other to secure the trays together in one of a nested and an opposing relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Plastofilm Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Foos, Todd O. Buck, Richard L. Partlow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5632374
    Abstract: A holder for temporarily storing and displaying compact discs has a front, a back and a disc-receiving base sloping downward from the back to the front. The disc-receiving base has molded pockets or slots for receiving and vertically supporting the compact discs. Each pocket has a lead-in for quick drop-off of a disc and for guiding it to a trough at the bottom. The trough contacts the flat sides of the disc but does not touch the information containing regions on the programmed side. Three bumps extend inward from the walls of the trough for orienting the disc at a rearward leaning angle to enhance visual identification and to prevent the discs from tilting forward and becoming dislodged. Effective disc orientation is achieved by providing a straight slot, with no bumps, that is molded at the desired angle of disc tilt or inclination. The pockets have openings that are wider than the thicknesses of standard compact discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Microplas, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Fitzsimmons, Steven E. Callahan, Todd K. Dyment, Jon Noce
  • Patent number: 5619608
    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: August 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Bowthorpe PLC
    Inventors: Raymond C. Foss, Andrew S. Cammack
  • Patent number: 5611426
    Abstract: A packaging assembly for both packaging and displaying a plurality of compact discs. The packaging assembly includes a support structure having tiered depressions formed into at least one row. Each depression in a row is sized to accept a compact disc and includes a retaining mechanism for selectively engaging a compact disc at each tier level. As a result, the support structure is capable of retaining multiple compact discs in each row, wherein each compact disc is retained at a different tier level. This enables the various compact discs to overlay over another without contacting one another. The tiered orientation also enables any one of the compact discs to be accessed without having to remove any other compact disc contained in the packaging assembly. The support structure itself is contained within a box, wherein the box has a forward surface that defines a large window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Point Group Corporation
    Inventor: Ian R. Warfield
  • Patent number: 5605246
    Abstract: An ergonomic shipping and handling container having a compartment accessible through an opening in the side thereof which is closed off by a gate slidable in channels formed in opposing sidewalls of the compartment. The gate includes means for preventing the sidewalls from spreading apart during shipping and for hanging the gate along side thereof when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Rausch, Sr., Raymond A. Zagger
  • Patent number: 5597073
    Abstract: A tray which is formed from a piece of resilient material, has a matrix of cells for holding food products such as apples. The tray has a plurality of arched ribs formed on the piece of resilient material for reinforcing the tray, each rib joining a predetermined pair of adjacent cells and having a compound surface structure to provide enhanced strength of rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Dolco Packaging Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Kocis
  • Patent number: 5584391
    Abstract: A container for storing and displaying recorded media, such as compact discs, video cassettes, audio cassettes, etc., has a support surface, preferably rotatably mounted. A plurality of spaced ribs are formed on the support surface and extend upwardly therefrom, forming individual storage slots for receiving storage boxes containing the recorded media. A small area of serrated teeth is formed on the support surface adjacent a front end opening of each of the slots. The serrated teeth engage a side of the storage box and retard the outward sliding movement of the box as the container is rotated for review of the various recorded media stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Alpha Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Weisburn
  • Patent number: 5585591
    Abstract: A detonator assembly wherein the electrical leads are attached to an electrical connector which maintains the ends of the leads in non-conductive, waterproof condition and which permits the leads to be spliced to another pair of electric leads without any splicing tools. The length of the electrical leads is selected to permit the assembly to be inserted in a booster charge so that the electrical connector is contained entirely within the throughbore in the booster charge. Packaging for such detonator assemblies includes at least one tray integrally formed of fire retardant material. The detonator assemblies fit snugly in parallel elongate recesses in the top of the tray so that when the tray is tipped or inverted the detonators will remain in position. The detonator assemblies are arranged in alternating fashion so that the detonator ends of adjacent assemblies are at opposite sides of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Clipmate Corp.
    Inventor: Kevin H. Waldock
  • Patent number: 5573117
    Abstract: A system for displaying packaged goods has an insert sized to be placed on a bottom surface of a packaging carton. The insert has a plurality of alternating peaks and valleys. Each peak has a front wall, a rear wall having a height greater than the front wall and a sloped top extending from the front wall to the rear wall. Each valley is sized to receive a bottom portion of a blister package. A blister package comprised of a card portion, and blister portion attached to the card portion is sized and configured so that a plurality of blister packages can be placed in front to back relationship and a bottom edge of each blister package will fit into a valley in the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 5568865
    Abstract: A tray is provided for storing a surgical cable. The tray includes a body portion configured to define a track for receiving the cable, and a lead-in channel configured to guide the cable into the track. The body portion includes a generally circular recessed portion configured to define an annular track extending around an outer periphery of the recessed portion. The lead-in channel is curved so that the cable enters the annular track in a direction generally tangential to the track. The body portion includes a flange configured to be coupled to a cover for sealing the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: DePuy Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Mase, Douglas E. Foos
  • Patent number: 5565228
    Abstract: A food product tray including a base defining an opening and a floor member covering the opening. The floor member has an edge portion thereof secured to the base such that the floor member substantially directly supports the food product in the tray. A food product package is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Gics & Vermee, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul W. Gics
  • Patent number: 5560316
    Abstract: A pet feeding station including an enlarged floor tray having a mounting wall which selectively mounts feeding containers in selected predetermined spacings on the tray by individual retainers on each container selectively engaged with a series of retainer-receiving recesses on the tray wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stig Lillelund, Mikael Koch
  • Patent number: 5558222
    Abstract: A tray for retaining poultry trusses. The tray includes at least one longitudinally extending truss support having a first support structure for supporting the U-shaped central portion of a truss, first and second outward extending surfaces extending outwardly from the first support structure, and second support structures extending outwardly from the outward extending surfaces for supporting the truss legs. The first and second support structures are optionally shaped and dimensioned to support a poultry truss with the shoulders of the truss spaced above the outward extending surfaces. The tray optionally includes stacking members for stacking the tray above a second tray with the first-mentioned tray selectively positioned in a nested arrangement with an empty tray and spaced above a filled tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventors: Donald J. Volk, Steve Martin
  • Patent number: 5547082
    Abstract: A tray is provided for transporting components, such as electronic components. The tray includes a frame and an insert that is releasably secured to the frame. The insert has a plurality of pockets formed therein for storing the components. Inserts having a variety of pocket sizes and arrangements may be secured to frames of a standard size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Leon D. Royer, Thomas Skrtic, Mark J. Zach
  • Patent number: 5542533
    Abstract: A scalpel cradle with a floor and four outwardly inclined sidewalls, with two convex elevations in the floor extending from one lateral side of the cradle to the other side of the receptor and with a rectilinear cap the anterior portion of which is in the shape of a symmetrical letter Y which is compressibly elastic in the vicinity of the leg component of the anterior portion such that the bipartite leg component of the anterior portion is amenable to receipt of the handle of a surgical scalpel resting therein on its bottom side, and with a outwardly directed curvaceous extension affixed to the anterior portion and in the shape of a downwardly directed u-shaped curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph H. Vargas, III
  • Patent number: 5532044
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flat type pulp-molded cushioning material on which a number of raised portions are provided to serve as shock absorbers and a plurality of notches are provided at predetermined positions to allow said flat cushioning material to be folded along said notches to form a box-like means with a desired configuration corresponding to the shape of an article to be packed therein. The erected portions of the flat material can be suitably limited in place by the side walls of an outer packing container, which together with the fitly contact of the cushioning material with the packed article provide enhanced effect of cushioning. Moreover, the flat cushioning material can be molded more easily and can be more conveniently stored and transported at lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Hsieh C. Jen
  • Patent number: 5526928
    Abstract: A package assembly for packaging an endoscope cover for covering the outer surface of the endoscope is disclosed. The package comprises a cover for an insertion tube section of the endoscope, and a package base member for accommodating the endoscope cover therein, the cover section is accommodated in the package base member so as not to overlap itself while being in the state of packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Yabe, Yoshihiro Iida, Akira Suzuki, Hideo Ito, Yoshio Tashiro, Minoru Yamazaki, Osamu Tamada, Ichiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5513750
    Abstract: A roller blade wheel caddy including a plurality of stations for individually storing a plurality of disassembled roller blade wheel assemblies each including a roller blade wheel, a pair of roller blade bearings for rotatably mounting the wheel on a shaft, and a tubular bearing spacer for axially spacing the bearings on the shaft. Each of the stations includes a wheel well of a predetermined magnitude for receiving a wheel, an associated wheel bearing well which has a substantially reduced magnitude, and an associated spacer storage member for storing the spacer associated with the wheel. Indicia is provided for indicating a predetermined rotational sequence for the roller blade assemblies. A wheel assembly peg is provided for use in assembling the parts and a storage well is also provided for storing miscellaneous parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Gerald E. Rychel
  • Patent number: 5503858
    Abstract: A molded plastic overwrap tray is disclosed having a base and sidewalls. The upper edges of the sidewalls define an upper surface of the tray. The base and sidewalls define a food retaining chamber. Adjacent sidewalls of the tray are connected to one another through a corner reinforcing rib extending from the base to the upper edges of the associated sidewalls. The reinforcing rib defines a channel in communication with the food retaining chamber to provide finger access to food positioned in the food retaining chamber to facilitate removal thereof. Each of the corner ribs provides reinforcement to resist deflection of the upper edges of the sidewalls, whereby an overwrap on the tray is supported by the upper surface of the tray to minimize sagging of the overwrap and prevent the overwrap from coming into contact with food in the food retaining chamber. In another embodiment, a center post is provided having its upper end substantially level with the upper surface of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Tekni-Plex Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Reskow
  • Patent number: 5474178
    Abstract: A tray is provided for supporting electrical connectors of the type having an elongated dielectric housing within which electrical terminals are secured. The housings can vary in length according to the size of the connectors. The tray is adaptable for supporting different sizes of connectors with housings of different lengths. The tray includes a first support for supporting adjacent ends of a plurality of the electrical connectors in a side-by-side array thereof. A second support is movably mounted on the tray to a plurality of different positions spaced from the first support for supporting opposite ends of different sizes of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony M. DiViesti, Gordon W. Funck
  • Patent number: 5469962
    Abstract: This invention relates to packing methods and materials for packing electrolytic capacitors and the like. This invention provides packing methods whereby capacitors are held in a container tray with a good order and with no rotational movement of capacitor and packing materials wherein packing of electrolytic capacitors solves the problem of capacitor rotation and allows the capacitors to be easily taken out of the container tray. According to this invention, an electrolytic capacitor loaded container tray is taken out of a receptacle and the electrolytic capacitors held in the container tray in an orderly manner can be smoothly picked up for automatic mounting on printed wiring boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kitagawa, Hideharu Nagai, Junkichi Kawamura, Hitoshi Mizuguchi
  • Patent number: 5454797
    Abstract: A disposable laminar device for collecting body fluids during obstetric, gynecologic, proctologic or urologic procedures or examinations is formed from sheet plastic. The device includes a planar area which is placed on the edge of an examination table, with the patient's buttocks on top. The patient's weight holds the device, but it may also be clipped to the table. Projecting outward from and cantilevering off the table edge is a collection region of the lamina, contiguous with the planar area. The collection region includes a drain portion which receives and directs fluids draining from the perineal area of the patient into a cup integrally formed in the lamina. The drain portion is bordered by a raised ridge or dike which prevents fluids from spreading under the buttocks onto the planar area. The collection region also preferably includes a flat work area and receptacles formed therein to hold solutions, instruments, swabs, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: John N. Haswell
  • Patent number: 5450959
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in manufacturing an array of parts, such as printed circuit boards arranged in a multi-board panel. The array includes a plurality of the parts joined by frangible connections at a plurality of connection sites, and comprises a receptacle having a profiled upper face configured to generally retain the array in the receptacle in a predetermined orientation with each respective part having a predetermined locus when the array is in the predetermined orientation. The receptacle includes a plurality of apertures traversing the receptacle which are substantially in register with the connection sites when the array is in the predetermined orientation. The apertures are configured to accommodate punching severance of the frangible connections and passing of punched material from the punching severance through the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Paragon Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith C. Philippi
  • Patent number: 5450947
    Abstract: A new and improved cartridge box apparatus for storing a number of cartridges includes a plurality of walls which define a storage space and a first opening for receipt and removal of cartridges from the storage space. In a first preferred embodiment, the cartridge boa is suited for cooperation with the vest or pouch on a shooter's jacket. In a second, alternatively preferred embodiment, the cartridge storage apparatus includes means for ejecting a cartridge from the side of the storage space and inserting a spent shell in the top of the storage space. In addition, means are disclosed for conveniently mounting the apparatus on a belt worn by the shooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: John A. Sgueglia, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5451379
    Abstract: A dental instrument sterilization cassette securely retains dental instruments on a cover and tray of a perforated housing. Within the cover and tray, the dental instruments are received on open cradled supports. A holddown device with a resilient covering is placed over the cradled instruments, and held in place by anchors attached to the cover and tray. The cradled supports and the resilient holddown device provide secure retention for a range of instrument sizes when the cassette is in either an opened or closed position. A cassette latching mechanism with a recessed latch actuator on the cassette cover provides positive latching of the instrument cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Eugene F. Bowlin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5449071
    Abstract: A tray for packaging a medical specimen collection kit including a specimen vial containing a preservative fluid, an impermeable envelope containing a sterilizing fluid, and specimen collection implements. The tray has a first cavity for accomodating the vial horizontally, a second cavity sized for securely holding the vial in an upright position on the tray while the vial is uncapped during specimen collection, and a third cavity for containing the specimen collection implements. The first cavity may be formed in the bottom of a shallow recess for holding the envelope over the horizontally positioned vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Inventor: Abner Levy
  • Patent number: 5445263
    Abstract: A special container and a cooperating plier-type tool are designed to facilitate storage and installation of fluid system gaskets. The container acts to guide and control movement of the tool into gripping engagement with the gaskets to eliminate contact with the sealing faces of the gaskets by either the installer's hands or the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Cajon Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Mohlenkamp, Gerald A. Babuder, Peter A. Jobling, Charles E. Conover
  • Patent number: 5443152
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying an ophthalmic lens, particularly while the lens is being inspected, including a base member and a well connected to the base member. The well is substantially transparent, and includes a frusto-conical sidewall having a constant slope, and a hemi-spherically shaped bottom portion connected to an extending downward from the sidewall. The bottom portion of the well has curvature that is about 10% larger than the radius of curvature of the ophthalmic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Davis
  • Patent number: 5441152
    Abstract: An organizer device for orthopedic equipment normally found in cast removal situations comprising a plastic box with a closed lower surface, an opened upper surface and a peripheral wall therearound, the box being vacuum formed with recesses and projections therein, a central recess having a semi-cylindrical end formed into one peripheral wall for the receipt of the cord of a saw, the central recess having a semi-cylindrical central extent extending to a central extent of the container, and the central recess having enlarged projections extending upwardly from the end of the recess remote from the end recess for supporting the head of a saw; and a plurality of supplemental recesses formed on opposite sides of the central recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Ronald L. Estes
  • Patent number: 5429245
    Abstract: A cartridge storing case having at least one recess designed to contain a cartridge into which a roll of film is wound to be accommodated. The case can range and store many cartridges efficiently, and index prints showing the contents of the films can be stored with the cartridges. User can quickly find out a specific film when they need it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Tanibata
  • Patent number: 5429266
    Abstract: An food service tray including a molded plastic tray having a cup cavity, a plate cavity, an eating utensil cavity, and a napkin holder disposed thereon. The food service tray also has one thumb engaging socket for the purpose of facilitating holding the tray in a substantially horizontal disposition. In an alternate embodiment the napkin holder is a cliplike member disposed in a substantially parallel plane with respect to the facing surface of the food service tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: Manuel D'Oliveira, Rui Marques, Linda Pinheiro
  • Patent number: 5421459
    Abstract: The multi-compartment tray exhibits a support and containment plane provided with a plurality of compartments, of which one compartment extends beneath the support and containment plane, thereby constituting a manual grip for the tray, while contemporaneously providing a suitable seating for a cup or can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Massimo Mazzotti