Combined Or Convertible Patents (Class 220/212)
  • Patent number: 6789690
    Abstract: A hose direct cannister lid includes a port that accepts a hose connected to a source of vacuum in order to evacuate a cannister to which the lid is connected. The hose direct cannister lid includes a first valve for exposing the cannister to the source of vacuum when the vacuum hose is secured to the lid, and wherein the first valve closes when the source of vacuum is removed in order to seal the lid and cannister from ambient. The hose direct cannister includes a second valve used to break the vacuum and expose the interior of the cannister to ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Tilia International, Inc.
    Inventors: Luther T. Nieh, Michael H. Tsao, Djabbar Moustafaev, Landen M. Higer
  • Publication number: 20040169043
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging for liquids (1). It consists essentially of a body (2) with a parallelepiped format whose height to width ratio is less than 1 and it has a lower inner part consisting of two planes (3) that are slightly inclined towards the central part in order to facilitate the suction of the liquid, and an upper surface with a central area (4) with an opening (5) and the respective cover (6) which, when removed, allows the inside of the packaging to be accessed, as well as its liquid through a telescopic tube (7). This packaging can also contain a gift place inside, at the bottom which is duly protected from contact with the liquid and is accessed after the liquid has been drunk by breaking the brittle area (14) of the upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Mario Jose Alegria Neves
  • Patent number: 6783017
    Abstract: A dual functioning lid that seals a container using a container sealing lip (10), and holds a bagel using a bagel steadying lip (20) and a bagel steadying protrusion (30), allowing the user's hand to be insulated from a hot bagel while applying an edible spread to the bagel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Matthew L. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20040155041
    Abstract: A vacuum container for preserving food is disclosed herein that includes a cover member for covering an upper part of a container member in which food is filled, a piston member equipped with the cover member and ascending and descending movable, and first and second valve members that alternately operate by a pumping operation using ascending and descending operation of the piston member to make a suction aperture and an exhaust aperture alternately open and close, thus discharging air from within the container member. Such operation allows the interior of the container member to become a vacuum state, thereby allowing food within the container member to be preserved for a longer time period, in a more sanitary manner, and a simple manufacture and a low manufacturing cost to provide users with convenience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Man-Hyun Kwon
  • Publication number: 20040149755
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a combined saucer and cover for a beverage cup comprising a disc having a downwardly projecting peripheral skirt, a concave molded portion provided on said disc defining a raised portion thereof, and a circular perforation provided on said raised portion for straw opening. The concaved molded portion serves as a compartment for condiments like catsup, mayonnaise, mustard and food in general.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Dante R. Olivar
  • Patent number: 6763963
    Abstract: A method and device for opening a drink can provided with a frangible obturator which can be pushed back inside the can using a tongue that is fixed in a horizontal position in the middle of the lid by means of a rivet on which the tongue can pivot as a lever to produce an opening which is later closed by a movable case that is adapted on the tongue which is pivoted around the river in order to move onto the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Akline
    Inventor: Didier Martin
  • Patent number: 6761283
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for viscous dressing products that includes a jar and a closure or lid. The lid may be hingedly attached to the container so as to remain attached to the jar after opening. The container provides protection for the viscous dressing product during packaging, shipping, handling, retail display and consumer use, and also makes the viscous dressing readily accessible to the consumer. The container preferably includes a shelf or wiper on the closure to permit the consumer to swipe a serving utensil on the shelf to remove excess viscous dressing product from the utensil. The jar is preferably provided with improved handling characteristics as compared with prior art jars of circular cross section. In the preferred embodiments, the shape of the jar as viewed in plan is generally oval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl M. Gilliam, Anne Bucher
  • Publication number: 20040133383
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus 1 of submergence aggregate according to the present invention generally comprises a stock bin 2 for storing fine aggregate, a fine aggregate feed hopper 3 placed under the stock bin 2, a vibrating feeder 5 placed under a discharge opening 4 of the fine aggregate feed hopper 3, a screen device 23 placed in the vicinity of an exit of the vibrating feeder 5, a measurement tank 6 placed under the screen device 23, an electrode-type displacement sensor 7 as means for measuring a water level placed above the measurement tank 6, and load cells 8 as mass measuring means for measuring a mass of the measurement tank 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Sogo, Ryuichi Chikamatsu, Koji Watanabe, Hisayoshi Kikkawa
  • Publication number: 20040129703
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a cover for a beverage can body (3) with an inner and an outer cover panel (30, 10) that are spaced apart from one another (h20) in the axial direction (100) such that an intermediate space (20) is formed which is able to accommodate an object (44, 45) that is invisible from the outside—from a viewing direction toward the outer cover panel (10). The inner cover panel (30) is connected to a mounting edge (36) via a curved section (30r) that forms a peripheral groove (2a) around the cover panel in order to realize the attachment to the beverage can body. The outer cover panel (10) is clamped relative to the inner cover panel (30) with an essentially radial force component (f11) such that a clamping point (11, 31) is formed in order to fix its axial distance (h20) relative to the inner cover panel (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Hajo Rieck, Lutz Strube, Dieter Heinecke
  • Publication number: 20040124195
    Abstract: A lid for a dustpan/trash can comprising a generally circular top having a downwardly depending, circumferentially extending lip projecting from the outer periphery of said top, a trough like member attached to the lip of the top including a planar base positioning the top generally perpendicular to a surface on which the base is placed, said trough section having an upwardly inclined ramp, an elongated straight edge so that waste material may be scooped into the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: George Mensch
  • Patent number: 6754965
    Abstract: An integrated container crimping and cutting tool arrangement having a tub with an opening therein providing access to an otherwise surrounded volume, and a cover mountable on the tub having an opening at which the cover can be releasably mounted on the tub to prevent immediate access to the surrounded volume therein. In addition, this arrangement has a closed wall structure provided as a portion thereof having an ending edge terminating a closed wall which also has a crimping edge thereon offset away from the ending edge to allow pressing it against a sandwich to cut out center portions thereof leaving sealed bread edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Len C. Kretchman
  • Publication number: 20040112896
    Abstract: A container with a hinged lid with a rotating function. The lid can be rotated on the hinge to store the lid under the container without detaching the lid from the container while in storage. The hinge is located at the midsection of a flexible extension extending from one side of the lid to the side of the container. The user can rotate the lid on its hinge up to 360 degrees, without detaching the lid. The user can rotate the hinge at a 180-degree angle the lid from its normal closing position to place the lid under the container for easy storage or for food service. Thus the lid never becomes separated from its matching container and therefore the user always has the appropriate lid for the container, and does not have to search for an appropriate lid with each use of a container. The container is made of a durable plastic and is dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer and microwave safe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher Lewis
  • Publication number: 20040094548
    Abstract: A package for heating and dispensing a food product includes a container body having a top opening and an outside thread, and a lid assembly. The lid assembly includes an outer shell having an inside thread and an integrally formed utensil, and an inner disk. The utensil is defined by a weakened segment or outline formed into an end wall of the outer shell and has a convex region. The disk has a protrusion that is shaped to be received into the convex region when the outer shell is placed on the container body and threaded tightly onto the body over the disk. A sufficient friction force exists between the disk and the body that prevents the disk from turning when the outer shell is unscrewed an initial amount. The protrusion forcibly leaving the convex region causes the weakened segment to rupture creating tamper evidence and a vent for heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Laveault
  • Publication number: 20040084450
    Abstract: A canister lid includes a cover member adapted to cover a canister, thereby defining an interior of the canister. An evacuation valve is adapted to allow evacuation of the interior of the container. A vacuum release valve is adapted to allow venting of the interior of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicants: Tilia International, Inc., Unimark Plastics
    Inventors: Paul W. Havens, Glynn Clements
  • Patent number: 6726048
    Abstract: Closure construction for blow molded drums having an upstanding internally threaded neck. A closure plug with sealing gasket is screwed into the neck to provide a liquid tight seal. A plastic tamper evident overseal completely covers the plug and neck and is manually snapped in place so as to interlockingly engage the plug making both the plug wrench engaging structure and the overseal interlocking structure inaccessible without destruction of the overseal. A tear strip opening means is provided for authorized access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: American Flange & Mfg. Co., Inc
    Inventors: Davis B. Dwinell, Cornelis R. Van De Klippe
  • Publication number: 20040074905
    Abstract: A container for gelatinous food stuffs materials has a pair of inwardly directed blades (30, 32) formed on the inner surface of the lid (10). As the lid (10) is rotated to remove it from the receptacle (12), the blades (30, 32) cut through the food stuff and release it from the interior walls of the receptacle (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Tim Michael Debonnaire Haggard
  • Publication number: 20040060934
    Abstract: A spill-resistant beverage cup lid which includes a well for adding liquid or powder condiments to a hot beverage and which also serves as a drinking portal is described. The well includes a plurality of apertures in a side wall of the well allowing the condiments to mix with the beverage. In an alternative embodiment, the well further includes a removable flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Phillip-Kevin Haynes, Michael Pallotta
  • Publication number: 20040050847
    Abstract: A lid for a beverage container, comprising: a container attachment portion for removable association with the rim of an associated liquid container in a snug liquid-tight relation, an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from the container attachment portion, an opening in the annular cover panel portion to permit insertion of straw while the container attachment portion is attached to an associated container, and a sauce compartment in the annular cover panel portion to provide an vacant area for sauce, said sauce compartment is sunken-in from the annular cover panel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Young Gul Yoon
  • Patent number: 6706297
    Abstract: A snack food container for containing a snack food product. The snack food container includes a side wall, a bottom wall and a flange body. The side wall forms an upper opening. The bottom wall is connected to the side wall opposite the upper opening. The flange body extends downwardly from the bottom wall and defines an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is configured for selective attachment to a separate beverage container. Finally, the snack food container defines an internal storage region for containing a snack food product. During use, the snack food container is assembled to a separate beverage container via the inner surface of the flange body. With this configuration, the snack food container can be used in conjunction with a beverage container for “on-the-go” storage and consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary K. Toth, Arne H. Brauner
  • Patent number: 6702136
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved reservoir cap for a braking fluid reservoir including a cylindrical skirt for surrounding an opening of the reservoir body, a disc portion having a hard stop formed unitarily with the cylindrical skirt for closing the reservoir fill opening, and a plurality of teeth formed unitarily about the hard stop for securing an elastic member. The elastic member is disposed about the teeth of the reservoir cap and secured thereto. The elastic member defines ridges disposed circumferentially about its center. Between the ridges and the center of the elastic member is a channel, which in turn defines a pair of openings which permit the flow of excess fluid through the elastic member, thereby reducing the possibility of fluid overflow, and thus preventing excess brake fluid from permeating the reservoir cap and leaking into the engine compartment of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel Saygan, Jim Tottingham, Dennis Downen, Dale May
  • Publication number: 20040040618
    Abstract: A food storage container includes a lid with a vent hole, and a removable cover removably secured to the lid to cover the vent hole. The cover has an evacuation hole. The food storage container further includes a one-way air valve disposed between the vent hole and evacuation hole. With the cover secured to the lid, the one-way air valve inhibits air flow into the container through the vent hole while allowing air flow out of the container via the vent hole and evacuation hole. With the cover removed, the one-way air valve allows bi-directional air flow through the vent hole. An outer surface of the cover defines a smooth sealing area extending about the evacuation hole for sealing against a vacuum pump held against the cover over the evacuation hole to evacuate the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Montserrat Vilalta, Jose Millan, Juan Carlos Coronado, Mariano Penaranda, Antonio Rebordosa
  • Publication number: 20040040961
    Abstract: A lid for a food storage container includes a lid defining a vacuum sense opening and a vent opening extending through the lid body. The lid also includes a releasable cover disposed over the vent opening to impede air flow into the container through the vent opening until the cover is released. The lid further includes a pressure indicating dome defining a cavity therein, the dome in hydraulic communication with the container through the vacuum sense opening, the dome having a membrane that collapses toward the vacuum sense opening in response to negative container pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Montserrat Vilalta, Jose Millan, Juan Carlos Coronado, Mariano Penaranda, Antonio Rebordosa, Sergi Gili
  • Publication number: 20040035867
    Abstract: A container includes a bowl, a lid for the bowl, and a cup that is detachably securable to the underside of the lid. When the lid is positioned so as to cover the bowl, the cup is securable within the interior of the bowl, and when the lid is placed underneath the bowl, the bowl is supported at a height above at least a portion of the lid such that an air pocket is defined between the bowl and that portion of the lid. When the container is heated in a microwave, for example, the air pocket heats up to keep the contents of the container warm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: S.C. JOHNSON HOME STORAGE, INC.
    Inventors: Marissa A. K. Schultz, David Roland, Douglas Carpiaux, Jesse D. Cotterman
  • Publication number: 20040031797
    Abstract: Beverage container lid assemblies provide a combined premium display area and cooling/insulating structure for the beverage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Donald S. Farnsworth, John Nava
  • Patent number: 6688469
    Abstract: A molded plastics pot (10) for containing food has a base (13) and a side wall (14). A plastic utensil such as a spoon (16) to assist the consumption of food contained in the pot (10) is molded integrally with the pot, and is hinged by the end of the handle (17) to the upper or lower end of the pot. The length of the utensil is more or less equal to the depth of the pot and the side wall (14) of the pot has a recess (15) in which the utensil can be accommodated, nibs (20) serving to retain the utensil in the recess until required for use. Then, the utensil (16) may be pulled out of the recess (15) and broken away from the hinge (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Susan Marie Barnes
  • Publication number: 20040016761
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a container having a wall with a rim at a first, open end and a base at a second, closed end opposite the first end, and a lid having an inwardly-facing surface defining a recess. In a first, storage state, the lid is releasably secured to the container at the first end with the rim disposed in the recess. In a second, display state, the lid is secured to the container at the second end with the base disposed in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Kim Wilde, Diane Huttmann
  • Patent number: 6675982
    Abstract: A lid for vacuum sealing a container has nested first and second valve system for evacuating the container. A lever is alternatively provided for manipulating the valve system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tilia International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross Heil, Robert A. Wilk, Robert B. Carlsen
  • Patent number: 6675960
    Abstract: The holder for an optical disc comprises a sheet of plastic material deformed to include a flat generally circular or annular portion having an outer circular edge and an inner circular edge; an at least partially annular first flange portion depending from the outer circular edge a short distance to an inwardly extending first detent formation and an at least partially annular second flange portion depending from the inner circular edge a short distance to an outwardly extending second detent formation, the holder being adapted to receive an optical disc against the flat circular portion and between the first and second flange portions and held in that location by the first and second detent formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: John Innis
  • Publication number: 20030209546
    Abstract: An assemlby for depressurizing an opened beverage bottle including a bottle closure having a valve to permit depressurization of the bottle by a removable pump assembly. The pump assembly includes a stretchable diaphragm having roller being moveable on tracks within a housing. A pivotal actuator stretches the diaphragm to cause expansion of diaphragm chamber and effect depressurization of the bottle through the closure valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Gerald Wilhite
  • Patent number: 6644526
    Abstract: A motor vehicle central console comprising an enclosure having a base and four lateral faces arising from the base forming an opening opposite to said base, and at least one lid comprising a recto face and a verso face, having means for coupling to the enclosure co-operating with complementary coupling means borne by the enclosure, and at least partially closing said opening. The lid is completely removable. Said coupling means of the lid are completely and simply disconnectable from said complementary coupling means of the enclosure. In the mounted position, the coupling means of the lid co-operate with the complementary coupling means of the enclosure, regardless of which face of the lid is facing the base of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Sai Automotive Allibert Industrie
    Inventor: Nicolas Pegorier
  • Publication number: 20030197011
    Abstract: A hose direct cannister lid includes a port that accepts a hose connected to a source of vacuum in order to evacuate a cannister to which the lid is connected. The hose direct cannister lid includes a first valve for exposing the cannister to the source of vacuum when the vacuum hose is secured to the lid, and wherein the first valve closes when the source of vacuum is removed in order to seal the lid and cannister from ambient. The hose direct cannister includes a second valve used to break the vacuum and expose the interior of the cannister to ambient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Luther T. Nieh, Michael H. Tsao, Djabbar Moustafaev, Landen M. Higer
  • Publication number: 20030189049
    Abstract: A manually operable rigid device defines a generally V-shaped groove opening onto an outer face thereof for closing a storage container in a multi-step process by bending a flexible, upstanding peripheral rim thereof over a margin of a central cover. A manually operable rigid device defines a wedge having a tip for opening a storage container in a multi-step process by unbending the previously bent rim thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey Schneebaum
  • Patent number: 6619493
    Abstract: A sealable container in the present invention has a container body and a cover closed on the container body and provided with a push button and a suction hole. The cover is combined with a release assembly and an outer cap therein. The release assembly includes a housing, a membrane piece, a covering piece and a follower. A combination of aforementioned components enables the sealable container of the present invention to be effectively proofed against moisture and mildew after the air in the container body is drawn to be a vacuumed state. When the cover is to be opened for taking out the food stored in the container body, it is only necessary to press the push button of the cover to release the vacuumed state in the container body, which is very convenient to open the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Heng-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 6604645
    Abstract: A lid (2) for a container (1) which lid comprises: a cover portion (5) adapted to extend over the container (1); an implement (3) adapted for use with contents (27) of the container, and a hinge (4, 6) connecting the cover portion (5) to the implement (3), wherein the implement is adapted to be rotated about the hinge (4, 6) into a storage position in which the implement lies against the cover portion. The cover portion may also be provided with an anti-tamper device or a tamper resistant or tamper proof arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Auslid Enterprises Pty LTD A.C.N.
    Inventor: Vladimir Vaupotic
  • Patent number: 6604646
    Abstract: A cover for a portable food container comprising a cover body and a utensil. The utensil includes a head piece and a handle piece. The head piece and the handle piece are each detachably secured to the cover body and are configured for assembly to each other upon detachment from the cover body to form the utensil. In one preferred embodiment, the handle piece includes a reinforcement for limiting longitudinal bending thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the cover further includes a protective film resealably secured to the cover body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Torniainen, John Daugherty, Paul E. Di Mario, James Watson, Gregory J. Landis
  • Patent number: 6596328
    Abstract: An improved container for food and other perishable products comprising a simple construction and a multi-functional cap. The receptacle portion is a blow molded plastic, while a outer layer comprising a shrink-wrap graphics carrier is applied over the receptacle and cap. The multi-functional cap nests over and seals the mouth end of the container, inverts to seat on the mouth of the container as a bowl, and nests over the base of the container for storage while the container is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Anthony Bezek, Patrick Joseph Bierschenk, John Joseph Michels
  • Publication number: 20030111468
    Abstract: A beverage container includes a cup having a configuration suitable for nesting and a cap removably covering a top opening of the cup. The cup is provided above a bottom with a predetermined length of diameter-reduced section, and the cap is provided near a top center with a round recess for fitly engaging with the diameter-reduced section of the cup. The cap may be removed from the loaded cup and positioned on a tabletop with the round recess facing upward, so that the diameter-reduced section of the cup may be inserted into the round recess of the cap to stably hold the cup to an upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: I-Mei Foods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teng Chau Kao
  • Patent number: 6578725
    Abstract: A lid that creates a seal around a container to allow proper storage and reduce spoil time of the contents. Integrally formed with the lid is a scoop extending into the can so that the contents may be removed without soiling another utensil. The lid is adapted to securely attach to a container opening. The scoop portion has a finger-receiving cavity to allow for simplified operator use. The finger-receiving scoop extends from the underside of the lid into the container. The scoop is nearly the length of the container and is used to assist an individual to remove the contents of the container. Once finished, the individual may seal the container with the lid until further use is desired, preventing the spoiling of the remaining food inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Traffic Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel G. Delman, Steve T. Josephson
  • Patent number: 6557462
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum valve including a lid, a depression defined on the lid, a boss formed on the lid at a bottom of the depression, a rotary cover rotatably arranged in the depression, and a closure member detachably coupled to the rotary cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Soo chang Wang
  • Publication number: 20030057115
    Abstract: A convenient pill delivery system comprising a container, a consumable substance contained in such container, and a specialized cap capable of receiving one or more pills. The consumable substance is forced out of the container onto the cap and surrounds and encompasses the pill. The consumer licks the pill and consumable substance together off the cap and swallows it. The consumable substance provides bulk and lubrication to the pill and aids the consumer in swallowing the pill quickly, easily, and efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Gerard E. Langeler, Lawrence S. Walters
  • Publication number: 20030029868
    Abstract: A lid is disclosed that is configured to be mounted on a food container having a rim bounding an opening of the food container. The lid has a top cover wall with a through opening and an outer periphery, a one-piece eating utensil being located in the opening of the top cover wall and connected to the top cover wall by a plurality of discrete, spaced apart, frangible connecting elements. The one-piece utensil has a food engaging portion and an integral handle portion, the handle portion being configured to be gripped by a hand of a user. The length of the one-piece eating utensil, measured from an end of the food engaging portion to an opposite end of the handle portion, is less than a distance between opposite sides of the periphery of the top cover wall such that the one-piece eating utensil fits entirely within the periphery of the top cover wall. A side wall extends downwardly from the periphery of the top cover wall and is configured to engage the rim portion of the food container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: CODA International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Theodore Davidov, Kenneth A. Davidov
  • Publication number: 20030015532
    Abstract: A container apparatus, for storing sheetrock mud, includes a lid portion and a container portion attached to the bottom of the lid portion by an air-tight seal. The container portion includes a floor portion and wall portions projecting upward from the floor portion. The lid portion is attached to top portions of the wall portions. The floor portion includes four straight floor sides which form a rectangle, and four planar trapezoid-shaped wall portions project upward from the four straight floor sides. Preferably, the four planar wall portions slope outwardly from the four straight floor sides. The lid portion includes a snap-fit connection with the container portion. The scraper member has a length which is at least as long as a sheetrock blade and, when the lid portion is removed from the container portion, can be used for scraping excess sheetrock mud off of a sheetrock blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Chandler T. Rickman, Brandon P. Rickman
  • Patent number: 6502693
    Abstract: A cover on an open-topped container of food and/or drink either attached to the open top of the container by a first adhesive means forming a receptacle that can be slipped over the container. The cover has second adhesive means thereon so that, when the cover has been entirely or partially removed from the container to open the cover, it will remain attached to, or be attachable to, the container by the second adhesive means and can hang down, as a receptacle, from one side of the container, for receiving waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: David Richard Percival
  • Publication number: 20020170915
    Abstract: A closure for a container includes a body portion and a lid portion that is hingedly attached to the body portion for sealing and unsealing an orifice that is defined in the body portion for opening and closing the container. A removable cover is advantageously attached to the lid portion so as to define a supplemental compartment between the lid portion and the removable cover. The coverage is preferably substantially transparent, and a graphic element may be placed within the supplemental compartment so that it will be viewable by a consumer. Alternatively, product such as a lip balm could be situated within the supplemental compartment. In one embodiment, the removable cover is completely removable from the rest of the closure, while in a second embodiment it is hingedly mounted to the lid portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Valentin Hierzer
  • Patent number: 6472007
    Abstract: An improved container for food and other perishable products comprising a simple construction and a multi-functional cap. The container allows for the storage of multiple products separately within the container as well as consumption of the products while “on the go.” The multi-functional cap nests over and seals the mouth end of the container, allows for the nesting of a sub-container inside the cap, and allows the products to be resealed without contaminating each other. The container is ergonomically and stylishly shaped to provide a comfortable hand grip for a variety of consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Anthony Bezek, Patrick Joseph Bierschenk, John Joseph Michels
  • Publication number: 20020153344
    Abstract: A combination drink shaker, drinking glass and shot glass all combined into one device. The device can be formed by four elements, a shaker cup, a shaker lid, a shot glass, and a strainer, which are convertible from a drink shaker to a drinking glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Richard M. Pola, Lisa L. Pola
  • Patent number: 6467681
    Abstract: A transportation container used for transportation of products includes a generally box-shaped body and a lid attached to the body. The body has a plurality of side walls and a bottom. The body has an open upper end with two pairs of corners. The side walls are inclined downwardly inward so that a cross-sectional area of the container is gradually decreased from the upper end to the bottom. The lid of one container is placed inside the body so as to support the bottom of another container and so as to define a space between the bottoms of the one and another containers when the another container is fitted into the one container to be put one upon the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Tsusho Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoyoshi Mori
  • Patent number: 6460719
    Abstract: A cover for a tab top can having a top with a tab opener includes a body which is shaped and dimensioned to selectively cover the hole which is punched by the tab opener. The body has a channel which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the tab opener. Once the can is opened in the conventional manner, the cover is slidably installed on the tab opener. The cover and tab opener are then rotated until the cover covers the hole in the top of the can, thereby preventing both spilling and the unwanted entry of contamination. As desired, the cover may then be rotated away from the hole to dispense the contents of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Brian E. Finmark
  • Patent number: 6457969
    Abstract: A candle tin (10) includes a cup shaped holder (12) in which a candle (14) is placed. A cover or cap (20) fits over the top of the tin. The cover is readily removable and when removed is used as a base upon which the candle tin rests. The tin nests in the cover or rests upon the cover depending upon the particular cover construction. When the holder is set upon the cover, a gap between the cover an holder allows air to freely circulate about the tin to dispel heat generated by the candle's burning. Also, the cover provides a heat sink which absorbs heat from the holder created by the burning candle. This keeps a surface upon which the candle tin is placed from scorching and being discolored due to the heat. Various constructions of the cover and holder are disclosed by which the holder nests in or fits on the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: United States Can Company
    Inventor: Jivan Kumar Khosla
  • Publication number: 20020134782
    Abstract: A lid for vacuum sealing a container has nested first and second valve system for evacuating the container. A lever is alternatively provided for manipulating the valve system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Ross Heil, Robert A. Wilk, Robert B. Carlsen