With Closure Opening Arrangements For Means (e.g., Opening Devices) Patents (Class 220/260)
  • Patent number: 6075963
    Abstract: A developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing device with a developer, and a developer container for use therewith. The developer container, or toner bottle, has a mouth portion at one end thereof which is smaller in diameter than a hollow cylindrical main body. At the end of the bottle provided with the mouth, a shoulder has the inner periphery thereof partly raised to the edge of the mouth portion to form a raised portion for scooping up a toner. In addition, a part of the inner periphery of the circumferential wall of the bottle which is contiguous with the raised portion is also raised toward the axis of the bottle about which the bottle is rotatable, thereby forming another raised portion. When the bottle is mounted to a bottle holder, which is included in the replenishing device, substantially horizontally with the mouth portion oriented sideways, the bottle is rotated to raise the toner from the bottom of the main body to the mouth portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Ichikawa, Takeshi Saito, Sunao Ikeda, Nobuhiro Makita, Seiji Ozawa, Shigeru Yoshiki, Takaaki Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 6073792
    Abstract: A cap body has a movable retaining tongue which is engageable with a portion of an access structure to retain the cap on the structure. A tongue is manipulated through a bolt, the head of which is accessible at the top surface of the cap body. A cover for the bolt head has a locking post which extends through the cap body and engages and locks the tongue against movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Lucky Campbell, Rodger Calder
  • Patent number: 6047885
    Abstract: A materials handling apparatus including a closure door which can be selectively operated to open or close the access opening in the apparatus. The door is operated by means of an air cylinder under the control of an air valve and an electronic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6019752
    Abstract: A fluid vessel which include a drug storing chamber, a capping member for hermetically sealing the mouth portion of the drug storing chamber, and a solvent chamber joined to the bottom of the drug storing chamber, wherein the drug storing chamber is provided with a communication hole at the bottom thereof for communicating with the solvent chamber and includes a protruding piece which hermetically seals the communication hole, protrudes into the drug storing chamber, and is movable so as to open the communication hole, while the capping member has an engaging portion to be engaged with the tip of the protruding piece whereby the protruding piece is moved to open the communication hole by rotation of the capping member. This vessel serves to simplify the manufacturing process and reduces the number of components, is readily disposed of, facilitates mixing the drug with the solvent, and is easy to store and handle in hospitals and other facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignees: Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nissho Corporation
    Inventors: Seizo Sunago, Akira Kagayama, Osamu Takahata, Hitoshi Futagawa, Mitsuo Murakami, Tomohiko Kubo
  • Patent number: 5989662
    Abstract: A consumable container is molded from a composition comprising 40 to 90 weight % of an asphalt and 10 to 60 weight % of a polymer material, which advantageously can include a first polymer such as PP that imparts heat resistance and a second polymer such as EVA that imparts toughness and impact resistance. This molded asphalt/polymer material preferably has an unnotched Izod impact strength of at least 2 joules. The container is consumable--it can be melted along with roofing asphalt held in the container without adversely affecting the properties of the asphalt and without requiring undue mixing. The composition also can be used to reduce fumes normally emitted from a kettle of molten asphalt, e.g., as measured by a reduction of the visual opacity of the fumes by at least 25%, a reduction of the hydrocarbon emissions of the fumes by at least 20%, or a reduction of the total suspended particulates emissions of the fumes by at least 15%. The container may be used, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Janicki, Donn R. Vermilion, Kevin P. Gallagher, Frederick H. Ponn, Michael R. Franzen, Jorge A. Marzari, Jay W. Keating, David C. Trumbore, Steven G. Harris, Edward Mirra, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5988423
    Abstract: A cover for a container includes a peripheral seal disposed in a peripheral chamber of the cover and radially expansible into sealing engagement with a wall of the container in response to axial or radial compression of the seal by a flexible rod inserted into the peripheral chamber and against the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: le Joint Francais SNC
    Inventor: Joel Auzureau
  • Patent number: 5956908
    Abstract: A concrete container for introducing concrete into formworks includes an upwardly open vessel with a downwardly narrowing bottom portion with an outlet opening and a flexible pipe connected to the outlet opening for distributing the concrete. Underneath the outlet opening of the concrete container, an essentially horizontally extending crossbeam is arranged, wherein the crossbeam is arranged so as to be displaceable transversely of the freely suspended flexible pipe. The two ends of the crossbeam, whose length corresponds at least to the diameter of the flexible pipe, are suspended from the concrete container by connecting members. Tension springs are attached in an articulated manner to the two ends of the crossbeam, wherein the other ends of the tension springs are fastened to the support frame, wherein the tension springs are tensioned when the crossbeam is located laterally of the outlet opening in a position releasing the flexible pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: MST-Bau GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Bitschnau, Harald Bitschnau
  • Patent number: 5938063
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved latch and hinge for an integrally molded box, preferably a sharps box. The combination of the latch and hinge provides a surprisingly secure, simple and inexpensive integrally molded box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Moshe Hoftman
  • Patent number: 5883806
    Abstract: A container for pharmaceutical items, comprising a tray having at least one compartment adapted to retrievably contain at least one pharmaceutical item, each said compartment having associated therewith a lid movable between a closed position restricting access to the associated compartment and an open position permitting access to the associated compartment, and each lid having associated therewith a mechanism responsive to control signals from a computer to permit movement between the closed and open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: KVM Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Meador, Thomas L. Kraft
  • Patent number: 5876568
    Abstract: In a coke drum an outlet arrangement is provided which allows removal of the coke from the drum without endangering the health or safety of workers heading or unheading the coke drum. Instead of using a manually removable bottom flange for the drum, a semiautomatic bottom flange removal system is provided. A spool is attached to the conventional, pre-existing, about 6 feet in diameter drum stationary bottom flange. The spool includes a tapered clamping surface. A new style removable bottom flange also includes a tapered clamping surface. The tapered clamping surfaces cooperate with clamp ring sectors movable by externally mounted hydraulic cylinders into contact with the spool and the flange, and other hydraulic cylinders mounted directly on the ring sectors move male locking surfaces into locking engagement with cooperating female locking surfaces formed on adjacent clamp ring sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Peter Kindersley
  • Patent number: 5865307
    Abstract: Disclosed is a one piece construction holder or container for irregularly shaped objects such as keys, dimensioned so as to fit within a card compartment of a conventional wallet, whereby said container is substantially rectangular and consists essentially of a rimmed top panel and a rimmed bottom panel integrally hinged together on one side, such that the hinge is thinner than either of the panels to which it is connected, and closure means on the opposite side from the hinge including a plug one one panel aligned with an accomodating hole on the other panel and mutually offset thumb access cutouts; the hinged top and bottom panels are disposed so as to hold the container open or snugly closed as required; the inside distance between the top panel and the bottom panel when the container is closed is defined by the width of the rim on each panel and is sufficient to accomodate from one to three keys placed in the container, and said distance taken together with the thickness of the top panel and the thickness
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Jack Friedman
  • Patent number: 5840385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cover (4) of a product package to be heat-sealed on the mouth of a product package and extractable therefrom when opening, and a method for manufacturing same. The cover is appropriate particularly for dosage packages of foodstuffs, such as milk, yogurt, juices and fruit syrups, desserts, etc., or for drug packages. The cover is made of paper (5) which is provided with polymer coating layers (6) on the undersurface, comprising a formally polymer binding agent layer and a heat-sealable polymer layer of an oxygen-tight, non-puncturable support layer, enabling extraction of the cover when opening the package. The essential feature in the invention lies therein that the support layer includes, as described above, a polymer component of high degree of crystallization and amorphous polymer component, wherewith the curling of the cover is prevented. Production of the cover (4) is accomplished with simultaneous extrusion of the polymer layers (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Enso-Gutzeit Oy
    Inventors: Tapani Penttinen, Riitta Koskiniemi, Matti Salste
  • Patent number: 5795552
    Abstract: Apparatus for heating and venting a container. The apparatus has a heating station for the container. A heater is disposed to supply heat to the heating station. A drive has a body and a reciprocable member. The body is mounted in predetermined relation to the receiving station. The reciprocable member is movable relative to the receiving station between a first position and a second position. A cannula is joined to the reciprocable member. The cannula has a hollow bore. The cannula is movable between a retracted position and an extended position by movement of the reciprocable member between the first position and the second position. A vent line communicates with the bore and the ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Dean Corby, David Edward Foeller, Dana Andrew Carlile, Jacob Michael Shmois, Fugui He, Stephen Albert Mruczek
  • Patent number: 5779032
    Abstract: An accessory containing device having a portion for containing accessories and lids adapted to the opened and closed, a controller remote from the accessory containing box for emitting infrared rays, and a mechanism for opening and closing the lids including a motor, a light receiving element for receiving the infrared rays from the controller and a mechanism for operating the lids with the power of the motor when the light receiving element receives the infrared rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taichi Iimura, Hiroyasu Inagawa
  • Patent number: 5779050
    Abstract: A package having a lid bonded to a support member with a heat-seal to enclose a product between the support member and lid. The lid is at least partially heat-shrinkable and has a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion, the first peripheral portion being heat-contracted toward the heat-seal to a greater degree relative to the second peripheral portion so that the second peripheral portion provides a tab which can be manually grasped for peeling the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Patrick N. Kocher, Robin D. Owens
  • Patent number: 5733616
    Abstract: A consumable container is molded from a composition comprising 40 to 90 weight % of an asphalt and 10 to 60 weight % of a polymer material, which advantageously can include a first polymer such as PP that imparts heat resistance and a second polymer such as EVA that imparts toughness and impact resistance. This molded asphalt/polymer material preferably has an unnotched Izod impact strength of at least 2 joules. The container is consumable--it can be melted along with roofing asphalt held in the container without adversely affecting the properties of the asphalt and without requiring undue mixing. The composition also can be used to reduce fumes normally emitted from a kettle of molten asphalt, e.g., as measured by a reduction of the visual opacity of the fumes by at least 25%, a reduction of the hydrocarbon emissions of the fumes by at least 20%, or a reduction of the total suspended particulates emissions of the fumes by at least 15%. The container may be used, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Janicki, Donn R. Vermilion, Kevin P. Gallagher, Frederick H. Ponn, Michael R. Franzen, Jorge A. Marzari, Jay W. Keating, David C. Trumbore, Steven G. Harris, Edward Mirra, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5651595
    Abstract: A storage cabinet for storing articles therein includes a stand having a base portion, and an upright pole extending upwardly along a longitudinal axis from the base portion. A housing of the storage cabinet has a top wall, a bottom wall in spaced and parallel relation to the top wall, and side walls interconnecting the bottom and top walls together. The side walls define a plurality of storage compartments for receiving articles therein. The bottom wall has an axial bore for receiving a thrust bearing mounted on the pole of the stand for rotatably mounting the housing on the pole about the axis. A plurality of doors, one for each compartment, are selectively movable between an open position in which the compartments can be accessed, and a closed position in which the doors block the openings into the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas T. Willis
  • Patent number: 5642832
    Abstract: A case such as a cosmetic case has a base and a lid hinged on the edge of the base. Adjacent the hinge (4) of the case (1), the base (2) has at least one flexible tongue (8) of limited elasticity. The lid (3) has, facing that tongue (8), at least one rigid protuberance (6), such that during closure of the case (1), the protuberance (6) of the lid (3) will come into abutment against the flexible tongue (8) of the base (2). The limited elasticity of the flexible tongue (8) ensures that closure of the lid on the base will be stopped whilst not yet complete, thereby to leave a small gap between the lid and the base into which the fingernail can be inserted to reopen the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: LIR France
    Inventor: Bernard Favre
  • Patent number: 5630508
    Abstract: A data cartridge case has a generally rectangular base and cover joined to the rear wall of the base by a living hinge. Top edge of the base front wall is lower than top edge of the rear wall. The top edge of the base front wall and the bottom edge of the cover front wall have horizontal outer portions and chamfered inner portions. Cover side walls have half-thickness lower sections overlapping half thickness forward sections of the base side walls. Upper horizontal edges of the half thickness portions of the base side walls abut complementary lower ledges of the cover side walls. Central rectangular inward projection on each cover side wall half thickness portion fits in a rectangular recess in each base side wall half thickness portion. Notches in the cover front walls allow finger pressure to frictionally raise the cover and to snap the rectangular projections out of the recesses. A groove extends across the entire cover front wall at the height of the hinge for receiving a hinge of an adjacent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Microplas, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Petit
  • Patent number: 5628962
    Abstract: An analyzing apparatus has a movable container holding table on which a plurality of liquid containers are arranged. Each liquid container includes a container body accommodating a liquid such as a reagent, an opening portion, and a cap hinged to the container body. The analyzing apparatus further has a cap manipulator device including a hook for manipulating the cap so as to open and close the opening portion of the liquid container. The liquid in the liquid container whose opening portion is opened is aspirated through the opening portion and delivered to a liquid receiving container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kanbara, Hiroyasu Uchida
  • Patent number: 5607709
    Abstract: A container for deli food has a base and a removable lid with male and female locking members extending around the periphery thereof. Stiff tabs extend from the periphery of the base and the lid. The tabs are displaced one from the other for easy opening of the container. The tabs are embossed with visual instructions for unlocking, The base of the container is formed of opaque plastic and the lid is clear plastic. The plastic materials are suitable for placing the container in a warming oven and for reheating the food in a microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Tenneco Plastics Company
    Inventors: Jill A. Fritz, Darryl P. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5586677
    Abstract: A foldover container which is uniquely constructed so that the container may be easily opened and closed. The container has a base with a sidewall circumscribing a top opening. An outward extending flange for grasping the base is attached to the sidewall. A cover is hingeably connected to the base and has a peripheral downward extending skirt with a flange extending generally outward from the skirt. The cover is shaped and dimensioned to cover and close the top opening with the skirt extending generally along the exterior of the sidewall of the base.When the cover closes the top opening, the cover and base may be releasably attached to hold the cover in the closed position, and the skirt and the sidewall are sized so that the flange on the base is vertically spaced from the flange on the cover so that each of the flanges may be individually and pinchingly grasped to open the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Plastofilm Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Foos
  • Patent number: 5564608
    Abstract: A transportable safety gasoline container suitable for use in the workplace. The gasoline container has safety features that include, an automatically venting pour spout, a protective skirt on top of the gasoline container to prevent damage to valves and fittings, and a pressure relief cap which satisfies the various regulations associated with using gasoline containers in the workplace as well as for the transportation of such gasoline containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Safe-T-Way
    Inventor: Clinton T. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5522503
    Abstract: A syringe case includes, a) a plurality of longitudinally elongated individual syringe retaining compartments having respective lengths which are greater than the length of a syringe for which the respective compartments are adapted; b) a separately openable and closable associated with the compartments, the lids include respective pairs of recesses provided in their opposing longitudinal edges, one longitudinal edge recess of one of the lids being longitudinally positioned to align with one longitudinal recess of the other lid to provide a finger space between the two juxtaposed lids, the finger space having a size sufficiently great to receive a human finger therewithin; c) at least one longitudinal hinge associated with the respective lids and compartments to support the respective lids for longitudinal swinging movement between open and closed positions relative to their respective compartments, the lid when closed defines a compartment volume which is sufficiently great to receive a syringe for which the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Frank Halbich
  • Patent number: 5509529
    Abstract: A soap bar holder that is suitable for use in a shower stall, tub or by a sink is disclosed. The soap bar holder comprises an enclosure (11) with an opening (24) sized to accommodate a bar of soap (48) defined by two side walls (12,16) and a back wall (19). A lid (25) pivotally attaches to the enclosure and covers the opening with a gasketed, water tight seal when the soap is not in use. The lid is spring (31) loaded to provide for easy access to the soap by pressing a release button (35). Also, the enclosure slidably and removably engages with a mounting plate (36) for easy access to the enclosure for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Kelley
  • Patent number: 5492238
    Abstract: An arrangement for storing wastes for household and sanitary applications has a waste container, a cover for closing the waste container, a cover opening mechanism, and an understructure which is mountable on a wall and other element and formed so that the waste container is supported on the understructure turnably so that a turning of the waste container leads to an opening of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Heinrich Wilke GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Scholl, Stefan Pickert, Karl-Heinz Buchsenschutz
  • Patent number: 5465861
    Abstract: In a closure for closing the orifice 6 of a socket-piece 4, with a closure part 5, which is able to depart from its closure seat by swiveling, there is provided a constraining guide for the closure part 5, by means of which the closure part 5 is so guided that during the opening procedure it lifts from its closure seat in an approximately axial direction and, continuing on from this axial movement, is tilted away laterally to the outer wall. The constraining guide can consist of a coulisse guide or a lever-bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Temtec Fahrzeugtechnik Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Josef G. Kunz, Angelika B. M. Temmesfeld
  • Patent number: 5411160
    Abstract: A child resistant closure has a lid and a container. In the upper area of the container, a resilient area is provided to allow a manual depression so as to distance this upper area of the container from the lower edge of the lid thus allowing a manual gripping of the lower edge of the lid. Removal of the lid is therefore effected through two successive operations in directions substantially perpendicular to one another, one being a depression of the resilient area substantially perpendicular to the axis of the body, the other being a lifting of the lid substantially parallel to this axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: IPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Goulet, Sylvain Labrie, Dominique Lesquir
  • Patent number: 5382408
    Abstract: Microcentrifuge tube having a container having a round opening and a frictionally seated lid hingedly connected by a fixed-hinge to the container, the lid having an upper lid surface and being sized and shaped to cover and seal the opening to maintain the inside of the tube free of any contaminant. The lid has a lid extension extending upwardly from the lid surface and outwardly away from the hinge in such a manner which allows the lid to be unseated and moved from the opening of the container when mechanical pressure by a user's finger is applied to the lid. The lid further has a guard portion extending downward from a portion of the lid and configured and arranged adjacent the container to act as a finger guard to prevent a user's finger contacting the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Brandeis University
    Inventor: Daniel Perlman
  • Patent number: 5356025
    Abstract: A packaging device for cosmetics includes a body defining a chamber with a lid articulated thereto. The packaging device has an operating element rotatably mounted on the body which has an inclined ramp. The lid has, in the vicinity of its articulation on the body, a tongue which engages a vertical guide provided in a wall of the body. The tongue is slidably attached to the ramp and moves in a vertical direction as the operating element is rotated. The rotational movement of the operating element relative to the body and to the tongue provides for a guided translational movement of the tongue along the wall of the body and the tilting of the lid around its articulation axis on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Philippe Renault
  • Patent number: 5329212
    Abstract: A waste receptacle door opener is set forth herein. The waste receptacle's door is automatically opened upon a user's approach and then automatically closed upon the user's departure. The door opening device includes an active infrared proximity sensor for detecting the presence of a user. An electric motor is actuated by a signal generated by the sensor. An actuator arm on the electric motor pulls a flexible cable attached to the door to pull the door open when the motor is activated. The flexible cable allows the door to be opened in the event of a power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Michael J. Feigleson
  • Patent number: 5323364
    Abstract: In an electronic apparatus case, the cover thereof mounted on one side of the case body through the intermediary of a hinge member so that the cover can be opened and closed by the same. Further, a substantially T-shaped lock member is rotatably mounted on the other side of the case body and, at the same time, an elongated lock hole is formed on the side of the cover corresponding to the lock member, so that the cover can be secured in position by allowing the head section of the lock member to pass through the lock hole of the cover and rotating the lock member by 90.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Hayashi, Junichiro Sei, Hiroshi Ohmura
  • Patent number: 5280713
    Abstract: An apparatus which provides for servo regulation of a yarn furnisher for a circular knitting machine which permits the knitting machine to operate at a higher speed, controls and varies the tension of the yarn supplied to a knitting machine, and provides a two-bagging unit receptacle for the directing and receiving of the knitted products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: The Kendall Company
    Inventors: Leroy M. Hansen, Bruce Kritz
  • Patent number: 5249693
    Abstract: A plastic waste can for collection of flammable waste has a self-closing cover disposed on a body portion or receptacle. A foot pedal situated in a channel formed in the bottom wall of the body portion and pivotally secured therein is depressed by a user to raise a lift bar which engages the cover to raise the cover. A cover lift accelerator is provided on the undersurface of the cover, with a hinge pin hingedly connecting the cover to the body portion through first and second hinge pin supports. The cover is arranged to open to no more than 70.degree. to the horizontal so as to assure that the cover will close, by gravity, upon release of the foot pedal by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Eagle Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John G. Gillispie, Donald J. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5224617
    Abstract: A container adapted to securely engage a cover displaying a peripheral depending skirt comprises a body with side walls having an upper edge portion adapted to engage the skirt of the closure. The side walls include a peripheral inverted L-shaped flange. Integrally formed with the flange on two sides of the container is a downward projection including a frangible tab which must be broken to remove the cover from the container; however, the broken tabs do not hinder the reclosure of the container, nor the handling of the container. The side projections are so shaped as to allow similarly constructed containers to be nested one into the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: IPL, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Gaudreault
  • Patent number: 5225165
    Abstract: A microcentrifuge tube or other thermoplastic sample container having a round opening and a frictionally seated sealing lid, the lid having a size and shape to cover the perimeter of the tube opening and maintain the inside of the tube free of any contaminant. The lid viewed on an upright closed container has a downwardly extending annular portion shaped to sealing fit inside the opening, the lid further having an integral upwardly projecting lid extension configured and arranged on top of the lid to facilitate aseptic opening, grasping and identification-labeling of the container. The location, angle and size of the lid extension allow mechanical pressure to be used on top of the lid, rather than beneath the lid, to open the container. The improved apparatus and method for opening the container functions to prevent sample contamination which could otherwise occur when a fingernail or other container opening instrument is inserted beneath, and contacts some portion(s) of the underside of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Brandeis University
    Inventor: Daniel Perlman
  • Patent number: 5217133
    Abstract: A container is provided with a top to which is secured at least one strip. The strip or strips can be free of prestress bias or are provided with a prestress bias so that when the top is severed from the container, the strip or strips are lifted away from the top so that the strip can be grasped easily to provide a means for lifting the top away from the container. An indentation is provided in the container wall to prevent a severed container top from sinking into the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Wellesley Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Timson, Paul R. Chalifoux
  • Patent number: 5209366
    Abstract: A container is provided with a top to which is secured at least one strip. The strip or strips are provided with a prestress bias so that when the top is severed from the container, the strip or strips are lifted away from the top and over the container rim so that the strip can be grasped easily to provide a means for lifting the top away from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Wellesley Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Timson
  • Patent number: 5145084
    Abstract: A container closure is disclosed having a metallic body and a plastic grip piece. The body includes a top panel wall, a skirt wall extending down from the perepheral edge of the top panel wall, and a linking protruding piece that protrudes from the lower end of the skirt wall. The grip piece includes a linking base portion that covers at least both surfaces of the end portion of the linking protruding piece of the body, and a grip portion that extends from the linking base portion. The grip piece is formed and is, at the same time, linked to the linking protruding piece of the body by flowing a plastic material from one side of the linking protruding piece that positions in the space of the mold. A plastic material inflow groove that extends from the free end thereof toward the lower end of the skirt wall is formed on the side of the other surface of the linking protruding piece of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kashiwa Murayama, Masakazu Tatsuta, Yoshiharu Shibata, Hideki Yajima
  • Patent number: 5143240
    Abstract: A container is provided with a top to which is secured at least one strip. The strip or strips are provided with a prestress bias so that when the top is severed from the container, the strip or strips are lifted away from the top and over the container rim so that the strip can be grasped easily to provide a means for lifting the top away from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Wellesley Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Timson
  • Patent number: 5135130
    Abstract: A safety enclosure providing quick and easy access to the processing area comprising a counter-weighted movable open ended cylinder capable of being raised and lowered and in this lowered position can be securely affixed by swing away clamps to a flanged pressure vessel head containing processing equipment for pyrotechnic materials whereby detonation of materials in the enclosure during processing contains and directs the blast upward through the blast venting protecting the workers and equipment external to said safety enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: James S. Andrews
  • Patent number: 5111954
    Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a container adapted to securely engage a cover displaying a peripheral depending skirt; it comprises a body with side walls having an upper edge portion adapted to engage the skirt of the closure. The side walls include a peripheral inverted L-shaped flange. Integrally formed with the flange is a pair of handles each including a frangible tab which must be broken to remove the cover from the container; however, the broken tabs do not hinder the reclosure of the container, nor the handling of the container. The handles are so shaped as to allow similarly constructed containers to be nested one into the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: IPL Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Gaudreault
  • Patent number: 5036994
    Abstract: An integrated assembly is described comprising a container and an elastic container lid. The container has an opening wall defining an opening of the container, with the opening wall having an outer peripheral surface. The elastic container lid is stretchably adjustable to cover the opening of the container, and includes a closure panel having a peripheral edge. According to the invention, a suitable adhesive is located along a predetermined portion of the outer peripheral surface of the opening wall of the container for securing a predetermined portion of the peripheral edge of the elastic container lid to the container. When the predetermined portion of the elastic lid is secured to the container in this manner, a free portion of the elastic container lid is foldable into a first portion leaving the opening of the container substantially unsealed, a second position leaving the opening of the container partly sealed and a third position wherein the container opening is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Steven G. McElroy
  • Patent number: 5022562
    Abstract: This invention describes a cap for use with a poppet valve of the type having a movable poppet plunger for controlling the dispensing of liquids from a bottle. The cap is a unitary molded member having a centrally located cylindrical opening at only one end. The inside diameter is adapted to contact a top portion of the movable poppet plunger whereby inserting or removing the cap over the poppet valve opens or closes the poppet plunger respectively. A circular ring attached to the top of the cap at a position located over the closed end of the cylindrical opening allows the user to remove the cap and open the poppet valve with a single movement. Similarly, replacing the cap on the poppet valve automatically closes the poppet valve in a single motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventors: Jeffry L. Lurkis, Stanley B. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4984953
    Abstract: A conveying system particularly suitably usable to convey a plate-like article such as a reticle or mask which is usable in transferring a microcircuit forming pattern onto a semiconductor wafer, is disclosed. The conveying system includes a first hand mechanism, a second hand mechanism and a reticle changing mechanism. The first hand mechanism is operable in the neighborhood of a reticle library to load and unload a reticle to and from a reticle cassette and also operable to convey a reticle between the library position and a first midway position. The second hand mechanism is operable to convey a reticle between a reticle setting position within an exposure apparatus and a second midway position. The reticle changing mechanism is operable to hold, at a time, a reticle supported at the first midway position by the first hand mechanism and a reticle supported at the second midway position by the second hand mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Horoshi Nakazato, Mamoru Iijima, Akihiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4976367
    Abstract: A container for food or the like comprises a cylindrical wall enclosed by a top and a bottom lid. The cylindrical wall has a slight angle, thereby being wider at the top lid than at the bottom lid. The bottom lid contains a round vent hole having its lip drawn over in the direction of the interior of the container. An air-tight vent seal tab covers the vent hole. With the top lid removed, the container is inverted so that the bottom lid is facing upward, and then the vent seal tab is removed. A common drinking straw is inserted into the vent hole and is sealed therein by the vent hole lip. Mouth pressure is applied to the drinking straw. This pressure and the force due to gravity, together, force the contents of the container to start to move downward toward the open top lid. As initial motion occurs the contents looses contact with the sidewall of the container because of the slight angle and thereby is easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: Raphael A. Hoefler
  • Patent number: 4966294
    Abstract: A tamper-evident closure for a wide mouth container. The closure member has a central panel and a downwardly opening rim cavity encircling the central panel and adapted to receive therein a top rim of the food container. The rim cavity is defined by a pair of upstanding, radially spaced skirt segments connected at their respectrive upper edges by a top rim segment. A radially outer one of the skirt segments has adjacent a lower edge thereof a radially inwardly projecting and circumferentially extending first flange adapted to snugly fit under and frictionally engage the lip on the food container. In addition, the radially outer skirt also has a radially outwardly projecting second flange contiguous with and oriented below the first flange. A plurality of generally inverted V-shaped radially outwardly projecting rim segments are integrally connected between each set of mutually adjacent circumferential ends of at least the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Fabri-Kal Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony C. Mack, Robin M. Robbins
  • Patent number: 4927677
    Abstract: Composite materials for retort container comprising a biaxially stretched film of a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and an acrylic ester and a polypropylene film formed on one or both sides of the biaxially stretched film. On the polypropylene film may be further formed a talc-blended or odorless polypropylene film directly or on another polypropylene film. Top materials for the container comprise a biaxially stretched film of the vinylidene-acrylic ester copolymer, a sequential biaxially stretched film of nylon 6 formed on one side of the biaxially stretched film, and a heat-sealable heat-resistant plastic film formed on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Nikka Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryusuke Kasai
  • Patent number: 4921119
    Abstract: A combination food warming vessel and lifting frame is described in which a food warming vessel of conventional construction includes side and bottom walls and an upper open wide mouth with a rim extending therearound can be lifted by a separate ring-shaped lifting frame element which encircles the food warming vessel. The lifting frame includes a central opening adapted to receive the food warming vessel so that the rim of the vessel rests on the upper surface of the lifting frame. The frame includes portions that extend laterally beyond the edge of the rim which are adapted to be grasped manually for lifing the vessel. Hinged to the frame on one side thereof is a cover support arm which has a clasp at its free end for connecting the arm to a cover for the vessel. This allows the cover to be raised by pivoting the arm from the hinged connection with the lifting frame. The lifting frame, arm and cover can all be separated from the vessel when the vessel is to be refilled or cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Industrial Design & Engineering Associates
    Inventors: Eugine W. Goad, John V. Drube
  • Patent number: 4919301
    Abstract: Fluid reservoir structure for supplying treating fluid to be circulated through a fluid system having a fluid pump and quick disconnect fittings associated therewith including a fluid receptacle with quick disconnect fittings adapted to engage with the quick disconnect fittings in the fluid system, the fittings on the fluid receptacle being actuable from a remote location to engage with the fittings in the fluid system during a fluid circulating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Environmental Water Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Miller