Follower Patents (Class 206/817)
  • Patent number: 11952199
    Abstract: A container enclosure for removably enclosing a container, the enclosure including a base component and a cap component configured to be removably coupled to the base component. The base component includes an outer shell having a base wall and a cylindrical sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, and an interior sleeve configured to be inserted within the outer shell. Further, the cap component includes an opening and a sliding tab configured to transition between a rearward position and a forward position to open and close the opening, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: BOTTLEKEEPER, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Callinan, Matthew T. Campbell, David-Henry Oliver
  • Patent number: 10787305
    Abstract: A holding container includes a body, generally indicated at having inside and outside surfaces, a bottom and an open top covered by a lid. The container can be used for holding potato chips and other products for human and animal consumption. The container may also be used for holding medical elements such as bandages and moisturizing napkins (not shown). A lifting device is located inside the container and includes a platform of the lifting device having a central portion and a pair of legs extending from the central portion and having magnetic elements connected thereto to engage with inside surface of the container. An advantage of the present invention is to provide an innovative method for extracting object such as potato chips and other products from the container without placing hand and fingers inside the container thereby avoiding any contamination, avoid any movement and any unnecessary damages to the product located inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventors: Dmitrii Ivanenko, Michael Jerome Weitzman
  • Patent number: 8944276
    Abstract: A dumpster having a moveable false floor which moves from a bottom of the dumpster toward a top opening when the dumpster is tilted to a substantially inverted orientation during collection of trash. The moveable false floor has freedom to move a predetermined length toward the top opening, where upon reaching the predetermined length a restraining device abruptly stops the floor causing the dumpster to shake dislodging adhered trash. Upon being returned to an upright orientation the moveable false floor moves back to the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Tony Garagiola
  • Patent number: 8646621
    Abstract: A product dispensing system including a container that defines an internal volume and an access opening into the internal volume, at least one product received in the internal volume and a biasing assembly extendable into the internal volume to urge the product toward the access opening, wherein the container is engaged with the biasing assembly when the biasing assembly extends into the internal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew E. Zacherle, Laurel Thomas, Bradford J. Walling
  • Patent number: 8596457
    Abstract: This invention provides a holder for a sandwich that covers and protects the sandwich, and that allows an end of the sandwich to be exposed to the user while gripping the shell/housing. The holder includes an advancing mechanism that allows the sandwich end to be variably directed through an open end of the holder's shell/housing so that a portion to be eaten is exposed exclusively, while the remainder of the sandwich remains covered and isolated from the user's hands. In an illustrative embodiment, the holder and advancing mechanism is particularly suited to a small child's hands and associated motor skills. A flexible strip can extend from an actuation mechanism, such as a roller spool with an external knob assembly, around a plurality of guides to form a sling around a sandwich-holding base. Rotating the knob in an advance direction cause the strip to be drawn in, thereby raising the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventors: Hope Goblirsch, Michael J. Strasser, Imraan Aziz
  • Patent number: 8561793
    Abstract: A container for consumer goods comprising an outer shell, an inner housing and a resilient member arranged between the outer shell and the inner housing. The inner housing has an opening and is mounted within the outer shell for rotational movement relative thereto between a closed position, in which the opening is covered by the outer shell and an open position in which the opening is at least partially exposed. The inner housing is resiliently biased towards the closed position by the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Lucas Chatelain
  • Patent number: 8540109
    Abstract: A stowing mechanism for a laptop or other device can secure different devices with varying thicknesses and widths within a compartment. The mechanism includes a cover which serves as the actuator for a jack mechanism. A pressure plate pivotally attached to the jack mechanism pushes against the device when the lid is closed, thereby securing the device within the compartment. The device can be released from the secure position by opening the cover. A buffer spring operating in conjunction with the jacking mechanism allows the mechanism to secure devices having different thicknesses and widths, while the pivotal pressure plate allows the plate to conform to devices having different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. McPeek, Roger D. Eller, Josh M. Roe, Stephen R. Blair
  • Patent number: 8038017
    Abstract: A spring alignment mechanism utilizes a guide inserted into a display carton below merchandise items. A spring-driven rear pull member travels on the guide so that as items are removed from the carton, remaining items are pulled forward. In one example, the guide is inserted between the bottom of merchandise items and the carton bottom. In another example, merchandise items are supported on cardboard support rails built into the bottom of the carton, or provided on a carton insert; and the guide is inserted between the cardboard support rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Close in Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: James Garth Close
  • Patent number: 7992747
    Abstract: A product holding, displaying and dispensing assembly includes a dispenser housing having a feed channel and a dispensing location together with a pre-packed, shipping cartridge holding a plurality of product units. The cartridge is inserted and held within the dispenser housing as the product units move within the cartridge to the dispensing location where a consumer can access and remove one or more product units. Unlike more conventional dispensers, the assembly of the present invention is configured so that the pre-packed cartridge is loaded into and remains within the housing as the product units are dispensed and advance forward within the dispenser. After insertion, the cartridge is locked in place by an arrangement of the feed track when one or more cans remain in the cartridge, but can be removed easily when the cartridge is empty. A forward facing surface also provides an additional advertising medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Jamie Bauer
  • Patent number: 7954635
    Abstract: A package of cigarettes having a group (4) of cigarettes; an inner package (3) which encloses the group (4) of cigarettes, is defined by a sheet (22) of transparent, heat-seal plastic packing material folded directly about the group (4) of cigarettes and in direct contact with the cigarettes, and is stabilized by heat sealing; and a U-shaped stiffener (23) of rigid material located inside the inner package (3) and contacting the group (4) of cigarettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Andrea Biondi, Ivanoe Bertuzzi, Roberto Polloni, Michele Squarzoni
  • Patent number: 7802696
    Abstract: The invention is a portable device designed to hold and dispense wafers used in the containment and disposal of spent chewing gum. The device is small and can be sized to fit in a person's pocket. The wafers are stacked, loaded, and housed in a chamber. When loading, the hinged lid is opened and a stack of wafers are inserted. An elevation spring and associated elevation pad propel the wafers in a position to be dispensed. The wafers are then dispensed by the user who pulls them through a lid opening. Once dispensed, the user wraps the wafer around the spent chewing gum and then disposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Dianne Mae Moore
  • Patent number: 7641057
    Abstract: A shelving system includes an elongated mounting member operationally securable to an associated shelf. The mounting member includes an approximately vertically oriented wall, and an approximately horizontally oriented wall. A track is received on said mounting member in a sliding manner. The track extends approximately transversely to a longitudinal axis of the associated shelf. The track includes an elongated rail extending longitudinally along the track, and a pusher slidably mounted in relation to the rail. A divider is received on the mounting member in a non-sliding manner, wherein the divider extends approximately transversely to the longitudinal axis of the associated shelf. The divider is spaced from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Fasteners For Retail, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Mueller, Daniel J. Kump
  • Patent number: 7481313
    Abstract: A display apparatus for displaying and dispensing a plurality of items, the apparatus including a box having a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall. A dispensing mechanism is slidably disposed within the box and moveable along a longitudinal axis between the box front wall and the box back wall. A biasing device has a first portion secured adjacent the box front wall and a second portion secured adjacent the dispensing mechanism such that the biasing device biases the dispensing mechanism toward the box front wall as the items are removed from between the dispensing mechanism and the box front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Hammer Corporation
    Inventors: Armand Kramedjian, Robert A. Davis
  • Patent number: 7455182
    Abstract: The application relates to a flat box (10) with a bottom container part (20), a top lid (30) and with an insert (40) which serves to raise the pack contents when the box (10) is opened. The lid (30) and the container part (20) are connected to each other via the rear side walls of the box (10). The insert (40) is connected to the inside of the rear lid side wall and extends into the container part (20) so that it and the pack contents placed on the insert (40) are automatically raised when the box (10) is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Rudiger Merckell
  • Patent number: 7387204
    Abstract: A cosmetic brush container has a cylindrical sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top. A tray is carried within the container for axial movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the container from a lower storage position. A lid releasably fits over the top of the container. A rod extends between the tray and the lid. Brushes are carried in the container, with lower ends supported on the tray and bristles supported by the sidewall of the container. Lifting the lid causes the tray to move upward and the bristles of the brushes to move above the top of the container for access by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Bao Sheng Corporation
    Inventor: Choon Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7364064
    Abstract: A carton is disclosed. In this carton, a first connection plate is connected to an upper plate, a second connection plate is connected to the first connection plate, and a partition plate is connected to the second connection plate. When the partition plate is pulled outward from the opening, the partition plate moves in the same direction, and is pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Shino Kanamori, Kazuhiro Tokuda
  • Patent number: 7036716
    Abstract: A carton is disclosed. In this carton, a first connection plate is connected to an upper plate, a second connection plate is connected to the first connection plate, and a partition plate is connected to the second connection plate. When the partition plate is pulled outward from the opening, the partition plate moves in the same direction, and is pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shino Kanamori, Kazuhiro Tokuda
  • Patent number: 6923365
    Abstract: A carton and blank for forming a carton for accommodating one or more articles which carton is provided with an access structure for the removal of articles from within the carton. The access structure comprises a closure panel hinged to a carton wall for forward and backward pivotal movement and a movable platform hinged to the closure panel for moving the contents of the carton forward for their removal in response to the forward pivotal movement of the closure panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Auclair, Alain Saulas
  • Patent number: 6896140
    Abstract: A crush proof cupcake holder for transporting a single pastry without crushing and includes a main container assembly with a bottom wall and a perimeter wall extending upwardly from a perimeter edge of the bottom wall, the main container assembly defines an interior space which is used for selectively receiving a pastry; and a lid assembly operationally couplable to the main container assembly for selectively inhibiting access to the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Ramsey Perry
  • Patent number: 6779664
    Abstract: A device for dispensing sandwiches including a tubular body having an oval cross-section and a disk member positioned interior of the tubular body. The tubular body has a slot extending longitudinally along and through a wall of the tubular body. The disk member has an arm extending outwardly therefrom. This arm extends outwardly of the tubular body through the slot. The wall of the tubular body is of a flexible material. The tubular body has a closed end and an open end. The disk member is a solid planar member extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. A guide rod is positioned within the tubular body and slidably receives the disk member thereon. The guide rod has a plurality of fixing elements suitable for retaining the disk member at a desired position within the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Ronnie J. Bermann
  • Patent number: 6685017
    Abstract: A multifunctional box for facilitating the safe transport of the box and a plurality of unused syringes therein. The box further facilitates the safe sequential dispensing of unused syringes from the box, with concurrent facilitation of the safe sequential feeding of used syringes into the box for safe storage therein. The box includes a container having an open top and an exit opening near the bottom sized to permit sequential withdrawal therethrough of either unused syringes and/or packets of syringes. A dividing tray is provided within the container which is used to collect used syringes while simultaneously to provide a blockage between the used syringes and the exit opening. A cover is attached to open top of the container and supports a used syringe feed means which has a first preselected position for receiving a used syringe, which then is moveable to a second preselected position for feeding used syringes into the tray for safe storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ulti Med, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6382377
    Abstract: A storage travel bag has a generally parallel-piped shape and includes an internal retention panel system comprising a retention panel with elastic straps or ribbons that enable the retention panel to compress an item and hold it in position in a desired manner within the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Travel Caddy, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Godshaw
  • Patent number: 6378702
    Abstract: The invention concerns a moisture-impermeable, tightly sealable storage container for use with a plurality of test elements. The storage container includes a housing sized to hold the test elements, a guide element, a spacer positioned between the guide element and a first test element to be withdrawn, and a transport mechanism for the test elements, the transport mechanism being positioned in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Kintzig
  • Patent number: 6270006
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved container which may be used to store ten parcels arranged end to end and in two rows, one on top of the other. The container includes a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing side walls, and opposing front and rear walls respectively. The container also includes an advancement mechanism for advancing the rearmost parcels in the container so as to fill the void created by the removal of the foremost parcels. The advancement mechanism includes an enlarged end portion located behind the rearmost parcels and an intermediate portion located intermediate to the two rows of parcels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventors: Stephen James Bright, Ron Hartley Ford
  • Patent number: 6231904
    Abstract: A “push-up” type package for a frozen confection includes a cylindrical tube, and a plunger member slidably positionable within the tube for pushing a frozen confection product from within the tube. The plunger member includes a piston-like pushing portion, and a generally elongated handle portion extending therefrom. The pushing portion of the plunger member includes a surface which defines printing indicia, such as a character, letter, number, etc., which permits the plunger member to be used as an ink stamp after consumption of the frozen confection. The configuration of the plunger member, including an elongated handle, permits it to function naturally as an ink stamp, so that ink can be applied to the printing indicia, and thereafter, inked impressions of the printing indicia applied to suitable paper or other surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Martin Mueller
  • Patent number: 6161697
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing thermoplastic inserts, or other identical pieces, in a manner in which orientation of the individual inserts is properly maintained. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an internal cavity for housing and guiding a plurality of the inserts aligned one after another therein. The hollow tube has a central axis. A receiving assembly is positioned at an inlet end of the hollow tube and has at least one pivotable blocking member for selectively blocking the inlet end of the hollow tube. A weight assembly is positioned within the hollow tube. The weight assembly has a lower contact surface spanning substantially the entire width of the cavity and abutting against the one of the inserts nearest the inlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Howard J. Van Laeken
  • Patent number: 6136352
    Abstract: A novelty candy product comprises a cylindrical barrel having mounted therein a hard candy portion slidable relative to said barrel. The barrel includes an open mouth end removably covered by a cap which is frictionally or otherwise retained in closing relation of the mouth. The end of the candy portion remote from the mouth carries a valve member which is yieldably urged toward the mouth by a coil spring. The barrel includes, at a position adjacent the mouth, a valve seat. When the cap is removed the coil spring projects the candy through the mouth and the valve into sealing engagement with the valve seat whereby syrups developed in the course of consuming the product are precluded from entering the interior of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The Topps Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Silverstein, John Budd
  • Patent number: 5823381
    Abstract: Bread boxes that automatically seal the loaf wrapper after slices of bread are consumed. In both embodiments a rigid bottom, base that is adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface has a pair of parallel, vertical sides that terminate at a back piece. The sides are spaced to fit a loaf of bread between them. A self closing door system closes the front of the box. With a loaf of bread disposed between the sides upon the base, the front door presses against the exposed wrapper end to seal the loaf. In a first embodiment the door is pivotally suspended between follower slots defined in the sides. Suitable followers on opposite sides of the door align it as it slides in and out. These followers are entrained within the elongated slots so jamming is prevented. In a second embodiment, a resilient, slidable handle traverses the box top and suspends and pivots the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Bread Shed Inc.
    Inventors: Todd H. Ashley, Charles R. Wood
  • Patent number: 5678728
    Abstract: A dispenser for flexible sheets, especially end wrap papers. The dispenser is designed to be worn on the arm of a user or to be strapped to a stand. The dispenser comprises a box for holding a plurality of the sheets. At least one flap is connected to the bottom or at least one of the sides of the box and projects inwardly. Sheets are adapted to be disposed in the box on that side of the at least one flap that faces away from the bottom. Two flaps can also be provided on the top of the box, with each of these flaps extending from an opposite side half way toward the other side. Each of these top flaps opens in an opposite direction. The top flaps define a slot that permits individual sheets to be held between them and to be individually withdrawn from the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Maria Leto
  • Patent number: 5674454
    Abstract: A disposal system for stacking card-like objects neatly in a magazine. The cards enter the disposal system via a card entrance slot. A push plate located adjacent the slot pushes the cards past a pair of resilient snap elements in the sides of the magazine. A pressure plate is located behind the snap elements and biases the cards that have been pushed over the snap elements forward towards the rear of the snap elements. The cards are maintained in a stacked condition between the snap elements and the pressure plate. When a card is inserted into the card slot, the push plate is operated to an extended position, in which it pushes the card past the snap elements against the cards stacked between the snap elements and the pressure plate. The push plate then retracts, so as to enable another card to enter into the card slot. The user of the machine removes the magazine from the machine when the need arises or when the magazine is fully loaded with cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: bio Merieux Vitek, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford W. Karl, Kent Smith, Arthur Rousmaniere, David Porat, Thomas Burchard, Gregg Flender
  • Patent number: 5458232
    Abstract: An article lifting container (10) is provided which includes an outer housing (50) with a lift (100) within an interior thereof supporting a shelf (150). The lift (100) automatically adjusts a position of the shelf (150) vertically depending on a weight of articles (30) placed upon the shelf (150). The lift (100) includes a base (110) supported by the housing (50) and which in turn supports a spring (130) between the base (110) and the shelf (150). An alignment post (120) aligns the shelf (150) to motion only vertically away from and toward the base (110). A sleeve (140) is fixedly attached to the shelf (150) and surrounds the alignment post (120). The sleeve (140) prevents the shelf (150) from pivoting due to uneven loads of articles upon the shelf (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Albert Michael Evans
    Inventors: Gregory J. Novak, Albert M. Evans
  • Patent number: 5447229
    Abstract: Industry-standard COT/TAB integrated circuit part carrier frame members are receivable into a shipping tube member in a stack which rests at one end on paired retaining pins and at the other end is retained by a closure member of the shipping tube. As so disposed in the shipping tube, the carrier frames are securely held with virtually no risk that they will slip out of place within the shipping tube. The shipping tube member includes side walls which define plural pairs of apertures spaced along the length of the shipping tube so that: the paired pins may be relocated to adapt the shipping tube to various shipment sizes. The remainder of the shipping tube remains empty to reduce both the cost of carrier frames conventionally used just as filler, as well as reducing shipping costs by eliminating the weight of these filler carrier frames which are shipped empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Lynch, Patrick O'Brien, Adrian Murphy
  • Patent number: 5320263
    Abstract: A support tube is arranged for securement about a golf cart handle, with the support tube arranged for pivotally mounting a support flange structure that is arranged to include a floor and surrounding band member to receive and position a beverage container therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventor: Richard L. Kobylack
  • Patent number: 5221005
    Abstract: A restraining device (10 or 10a) adapted for holding slide carriers (14) immovable in magazines includes a top wall panel (34), at least two horizontal pleated panel sections (36a-36d), and a bottom wall panel (38) all joined together to define a hollow bellows-type structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Hayward
  • Patent number: 5205402
    Abstract: A cigarettes case comprising (i) a case body with a top partially cut away to provide a top opening located adjacent to one side of the case body for taking out a cigarette from the case body, with a vertical slit provided in the one side, and with an opposed, open side for supplying cigarettes into the case body 1, (ii) a removable side wall member for closing the open side, and (iii) a slider located in the case body and having a lid portion, an upright portion, and a projecting bottom portion. The lid portion closes the top opening when the slider is on the bottom of the case body. The upright portion is in contact with the one side of the case body. The bottom portion projects toward the open side of the case body and has sufficient size to support at least one cigarette thereon. The upright portion is provided at its outer surface with a projection projecting outwardly through the slit. A handle is located outside the case body and is connected to the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Nagoya Kenkotabako Yugen Kaisha
    Inventor: Hikotaro Maeda
  • Patent number: 5201411
    Abstract: An inventive apparatus for cleaning a prosthesis in a microwave oven. The inventive apparatus comprises a container having an opening at the top thereof, a cover which is removably positionable over the opening, and a holding device, removably positionable in the container, for holding the prosthesis. Since most prostheses contain at least some metallic parts, the container and cover are each composed of a microwave insulating material. The inventive apparatus allows the quick and efficient cleaning of prostheses and facilitates the removal of dangerous fungal and bacterial deposits therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: DeBron International
    Inventors: William E. Elkins, William K. Kerr, Louis M. Ohls
  • Patent number: 5188234
    Abstract: A kit comprising a lunchbox and a carrying pouch slidably receiving the lunchbox therein. The lunchbox includes a container and cover with the cover including a recess receiving eating utensils. One eating utensil includes a projecting locking button releasably received within a pouch aperture for locking the lunchbox and utensils within the pouch. The pouch includes a spring member outwardly biasing a received lunchbox for ejection upon release of the lock button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukuda, Augusto A. Picozza
  • Patent number: 5080227
    Abstract: Pack made of thin cardboard, especially for cigarettes. In slide packs, a cigarette group (11) enwrapped by an inner wrapping (12) is located within a box part (17) being open at the top. This box part (17) is slideably arranged in a casing (18) open on one side (push-out opening 29). An oppositely situated side wall (30) is closed except for an actuating opening (41). For mechanically producing such packs, the casing (18) is designed such that in an intermediate folding position it can be folded down flat. In this intermediate folding position, side tabs (39, 40) for forming the side wall (30) of the casing (18) extend in the plane of front wall (32) and rear wall (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Focke & Co., (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventor: Heinz Focke
  • Patent number: 5053198
    Abstract: There are described apparatus for collecting used test elements containing possibly hazardous liquids, and a method of collecting them. The apparatus features a container, and preferably a stacking station used with the container. The container can comprise a variety of configurations, and includes side walls, first and second end walls, access means in one of the side walls near the first end wall defining an aperture to allow test elements to feed into the container, and biasing means for biasing a test element against the first end wall or against a test element adjacent to the first end wall. A highly preferred form of the container is one in which one of the noted side walls is constructed to be a leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: John A. Quenin
  • Patent number: 5014906
    Abstract: A multiple-purpose dispensing package having inner and outer shells wherein the inner shell is movable within the outer shell between fully closed and fully open positions. The inner shell is integrally pivotably connected to the outer shell. The package includes a snap-lock member. The inner and the outer shell are made from a single blank. Optionally, the inner shell, the outer shell, and the snap-lock member can be made from a single blank. The inner shell and the outer shell are connected along a hinge line integral with the single blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: Gabriel Gero
  • Patent number: 4940190
    Abstract: A container for food, the container having an open portion or an openable portion for presenting the food for consumption, a panel with an at least partially frangible portion which can be urged from a position co-planar with the panel to a position extending outwardly of the panel such that when the portion is moved to the extended position the food can be moved towards the open portion or openable portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventor: Maurice C. Groves
  • Patent number: 4817820
    Abstract: A two-piece slide dispenser includes a housing defining an internal compartment for the storage of a plurality of reagent slides or similar items. The housing includes a dispensing opening and a loading opening. A finger or similar structure at least partially obstructs the dispensing opening to prevent inadvertant falling out of the reagent slides. A one-piece, multiple function, resilient spring boot including a biasing portion and a light and humidity sealing portion is also provided. Once reagent slides are loaded through the loading opening into the internal compartment, the spring boot is mounted in the compartment to engage the slides biasing them toward the dispensing opening. The biasing portion of the spring boot can be hemispherical or of a similar configuration allowing this portion to fold into itself. The biasing portion also includes an extension extending from the hemisphere to engage the slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Miles Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Heiland
  • Patent number: 4771887
    Abstract: Storage container for storing magnetic tape cassettes, disc cassettes or the like, is a box-shaped hollow container which receives the cassettes to be positioned in a row one next to another with a free space therebetween in an access area. The container has stop members at the front side thereof and springs positioned in the hollow box for pushing each cassette individually independently from the remaining cassettes against the stop members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Nehl
  • Patent number: 4650075
    Abstract: In a box for packaging of filter bags for infusion products at their exit from a machine producing them obtained from a punched blank of cardboard in which with the aid of folding lines walls are defined for the bottom, cover and sides, the lateral walls of the box being provided with edges for connection and partial lengthwise covering of two opposite sides of the box, this box being further provided with one or more elements with partitioning walls such as to define at least two areas for the filter bags within the box for their containment one after the other in a corresponding number of rows parallel to each other, an element made of cardboard is also provided extending at least from the area or the interior surface of the bottom wall of the box until it comes to correspond to the cover wall, passing across a lateral wall and having at least one slit suited to engage a corresponding partition element in such a way that the mentioned cardboard element exercises an action of pressure on the rows of filter b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: IMA-Industrie Macchine Automatiche SpA
    Inventor: Alessandro Grazia
  • Patent number: 4646937
    Abstract: An improved dispensing carton for elongated flat articles such as milk filters is disclosed. The carton is of generally rectangular configuration and in preferred embodiments is adapted to dispense such elongated articles end-wise and one-at-a-time. Included within the container is a self-supporting member having a pull means that may be accessed through the dispensing opening. When the stack of articles is depleted to the point where access through the dispensing opening is difficult, the pull member may be slid forward carrying the remaining articles towards the dispensing opening and making them readily available. In a preferred embodiment resilient highly frictional foam tape is placed on the interior of a major panel and contacting the edges of the articles to be dispensed. Thus the articles other than the one actually dispensed tend to resist displacement and facilitate one-at-a-time dispensing. The container may be formed from conventional cartonboard or corrugate or from plastic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Dilip D. Doshi
  • Patent number: 4619727
    Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler which uses labels releasably adhered to a carrier web. The labeler has a body with a pair of identical body sections. The body mounts first, second and third feed rolls. The first and third feed rolls project beyond the body and cooperate respectively with the second feed roll. The body has a delaminator and a guideway for the carrier web. The carrier web can be threaded through the guideway and about the delaminator in either direction. In either event, the first, second and third feed rolls cooperate with the carrier web to advance it and effect label delamination. Depending on the direction of threading, either the first or the third feed roll is used to advance the carrier web by rolling that feed roll along the surface to be labeled. A label roll is held captive in a holder having two identical body sections. In an alternative embodiment, a label strip winding feature enables a strip of labels to be wound into a roll for subsequent use in the labeler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul H. Hamisch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4473154
    Abstract: The container for photographs of the same size comprises a housing from which a slide can be pulled out. In the housing there is a spring arrangement which presses the photographs against a viewing window of the housing. The spring arrangement comprises leaf springs which, when the slide is pulled out, are pressed away from the viewing window by control edges moulded to the slide, directly at the start of pulling out of the viewing window, and remain pressed away during further pulling out of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Licinvest AG
    Inventor: Peter Ackeret
  • Patent number: 4295565
    Abstract: A magazine for containing sheet films in a stack for use in an X-ray photographing machine has a substantially U-shaped, plate like pad mounted on the top plate of a casing of the magazine. The arm sections with narrow widths of the U-shaped pad are disposed on the side portions of the inner wall of the top plate along the longitudinal axis of the magazine. The free ends of the arm sections extend up to the edge of the top plate for partially delineating the edge of an opening for film passage. Through the opening, a sheet film is pulled out from the magazine, while sliding on the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyoyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 4135431
    Abstract: A stringed musical pick or plectrum dispenser for receiving, retaining, and dispensing a pick, the dispenser being mounted in fixed relation to an instrument sound board adjacent the instrument strings. Each pick is wafer thin and generally triangular in shape. The dispenser may be mounted on a pick guard which has a first edge alignable with the instrument string that is last plucked to guard against, and prevent, continued downward travel of the pick thus protecting the finish on the instrument sound board. A dispenser housing has a perimetral wall with upper and lower edges. The housing defines in cross-section the general configuration of a pick. A bottom side is affixed to the lower wall edge and a top side is affixed to the upper wall edge. A pick receiving and dispensative opening is formed in the top side. The opening receives a pick and provides an inner surface for engaging and retaining the pick in the dispenser while exposing a pick surface through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Inventor: Richard R. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 4020946
    Abstract: A novel display and dispensing carton and carton blank from which the same may be erected are disclosed. The display and dispensing carton is characterized by an arrangement of panels and securing means which allows the cartons to be readily erected from blanks, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Inventors: Marshall J. Gardner, Jeff A. Gardner