Hinged Closure Patents (Class 220/263)
  • Publication number: 20030183633
    Abstract: A device for lifting a lid of a container is disclosed. The device includes a first strap, having a first and second end; a pulley, in communication with the first strap, positioned between the first and second end; a connector, attached to the first end of the first strap, that connects the first strap to the lid; a weight, attached to the second end of the first strap; a weight support piece, that holds the weight in a first position; and an actuator, coupled to the weight support piece, that displaces the weight support piece and allows the weight to move substantially downward to a second position; wherein the weight's movement causes the strap, in communication with the pulley, to exert a substantially upward pulling force on the connector, and consequently on the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Arnold Pope
  • Patent number: 6626317
    Abstract: A garbage can has a first lid segment hingedly attached to a first wall and a second lid segment hingedly attached to a second side wall. An actuator raises the lid segment from a closed position to an opened position. The actuator includes vertical rods attached to a foot pedal. Depression of the foot pedal causes the vertical rods to move upwardly and move the lid segments into the opened position. The first and second side walls meet a corner and a third arcuate side wall connects the first and second side wall to give the garbage can a sector shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hailo-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Pfiefer, Gerhard Muller, Ernst Friedrich Weller
  • Patent number: 6626316
    Abstract: A trash can assembly has a shell having an enclosing wall that defines a periphery. The assembly has a lid fitted over the top of the shell, and a foot pedal positioned adjacent the bottom of the shell, with a portion of the foot pedal positioned inside the periphery of the shell. The assembly also includes a link assembly coupling the foot pedal and the lid. The assembly can also include a liner defining a container body, the liner fitted inside the shell and having an indent provided on the container body. A handle mechanism has a link strip that has a hooked end, with the hooked end engaging the indent to lift the liner from inside the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Frank Yang
  • Publication number: 20030168466
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically latching and unlatching the lid of a container is disclosed which includes a weight pivotally mounted on the side of the container for movement between first and second positions. The weight is positively connected to a latch by a connecting rod, and as the weight pivots between first and second positions, it move the latch between latching and unlatching positions. Tipping the container causes the weight to shift thus the container is unlatched only when it is being dumped. A method for operating the latch is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Kent Spiers, Bobby Sandlin
  • Patent number: 6609631
    Abstract: In a two-shaft pivotal mechanism for opening/closing and supporting a cover, a second pivot shaft connecting a pivoting member and the cover projects integrally from one of a pivoting member and a connecting piece on the cover, and an attachment hole for supporting the second pivot shaft is formed in the other of the pivoting member and the connecting piece, so that the pivoting member and connecting piece are pivotally connected. The pivot limiting portion is provided between the connecting piece and the pivoting member, and limits pivotal operation therebetween to a predetermined angular range. A first pivot shaft connecting the pivoting member and a receptacle projects integrally from one of the pivoting member and the receptacle, and an attachment hole for supporting the first pivot shaft is formed in the other of the pivoting member and the receptacle, so that the pivoting member and the receptacle are pivotally connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Goro Asami
  • Patent number: 6581587
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening an outdoor grill cover using an activation device and an opening mechanism. The activation device is attached to one end of the opening mechanism, and the activation device is positioned such that a grill user can access it. The opening mechanism is attached to the grill cover at an opposing end such that the activation device actuates the opening of the grill cover. The apparatus further includes a closing mechanism coupled to the opening mechanism such that the closing mechanism allows for gentle closure of the grill cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: James H. Helms
  • Publication number: 20030098305
    Abstract: A handle assembly for use with a trash receptacle having a vertically oriented door in a vertical plane, and a receptacle interior on one side of the vertically oriented door. The handle assembly is made up of a handle body with a center of mass; a first end attached to said vertically oriented door and a second end. The handle body is configured so that said center of mass is located approximately within the vertical plane of the vertically oriented door, so that said vertically oriented door with said attached handle assembly hangs in said vertical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Scott R. Feely
  • Patent number: 6568554
    Abstract: A pressure vessel in accordance with the present invention comprises a cover, movable between an open position and a closed position, and a clamp for releasably clamping the cover in its closed position. The clamp includes a handle for manually operating the clamp. The handle is movable between a first position, in which the clamp releasably holds the cover in its closed position, and a second position, in which the cover is free to be moved to its open position. The pressure vessel further comprises locking means, including a latch pin for releasably locking the handle in its first position upon actuation of the latch pin, and actuating means, including a flexible diaphragm which is responsive to an increase in pressure within the pressure vessel, for actuating the latch pin when the pressure within the vessel has reached a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: H-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Booth, Leonard Falcone
  • Patent number: 6550077
    Abstract: A device for removing spa covers and putting them aside while the spa is in use, and returning them to cover the spa after use. This invention lifts the cover in the flat position, then the cover may be rotated clockwise or counter clockwise to uncover the spa for use. It is not necessary for the user to fold the cover at the half-way seam as required by many previous designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: John Tedrick
  • Publication number: 20020190068
    Abstract: A remotely operated manhole cover for a tanker, trailer, or other storage unit is provided. The manhole cover includes a hollow neck which is welded in place in the shell of the tanker or trailer. The neck defines an opening which allows access to the interior of the tanker or trailer for filling or cleaning of the tanker. A lid is pivotable about an axis between a closed position in which the manhole cover is closed, and an open position in which the lid is clear of the neck opening to allow access to the interior of the tanker. The lid is provided with an inflatable seal and locking flanges which extend from a rim of the lid. Movable locking members are provided on the neck and are movable between a locked position in which locking member engages the lid locking flange and an unlocked position in which the locking members are disengaged from the lid locking flange. Separate actuators are provide for the cover and the locking members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: David E. Sisk, Roger L. Breakfield, William Spencer, Scott A. Finnell
  • Patent number: 6484895
    Abstract: A two stage dispensing cap for a carbonated beverage container is described. The cap has a flip top which is hingedly connected to a collar wherein the collar is rotatable on the container. The cap, upon rotation of the collar, is first opened into a venting position wherein the flip top vents the pressurized contents of the container but remains locked partially closed. Continued rotation of the cap releases the locked flop top to allow the container to be fully opened. A set of cams on the container neck work in conjunction with annular beads to first allow partially opening of the flip top into the venting position and then allowing it to fully open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company, Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Gary V. Montgomery, Joseph M. Ladina
  • Publication number: 20020162840
    Abstract: A lid construction having lid flaps (7, 8) is proposed for compost boxes (1, 2) which are serviced by shovel loaders, said lid construction ensuring improved hygiene for the environment due to a peripheral seal (9, 10), and re-supplying the condensate to its place of origin as a result of a structured cover-layer material (20) having ridge-like elevations (22, 23) with a grid structure on the ceiling of the semi-permeable tarpaulin, and thus improving the humidity retention and the quality of the compost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Tschudi
  • Patent number: 6474491
    Abstract: A cap is provided including a ring held axially on that part of the container which delimits the opening of this container, and two arms in the form of an arc of a circle, each of which is connected to the cap on the one hand, by means of a film hinge and parts that are able to fold, and to the ring on the other hand. These arms allow the cap to be tilted outwards with respect to the container so as to be released from the opening of the container. According to the invention, the cap includes means shaped so as to bear, at the time of the said tilting, against the container and to exert, via this bearing, a pulling on the said arms, this pulling being non-existent or minimal in the positions of engagement of the cap over the opening of the container and of complete release of this cap beyond this opening, but being maximal in the intermediate position of the cap between these two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Claude Benoit-Gonin, Jean-Yves Rognard
  • Publication number: 20020148802
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a hinge cap having a preferable appearance irrespective of opening and closing of a cap cover, facilitate a one-hand opening manipulation, and prevent cost increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Masami Takahashi, Atsushi Oka, Yasuhiro Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20020092853
    Abstract: An oil hydraulic device for a lid of a garbage can includes a pressure valve, a pushing valve, a hydraulic pipe, a reducing valve and a pedal. The pressure valve is connected to a container of the garbage can, and has a piston capable of moving forwards on the pedal's downward movement. The hydraulic pipe is connected to the pressure valve from a lower end, and the pushing valve from an upper end. The pushing valve is secured to an upper part of the container, and has a piston rod movable upwards to pivot a movable member on said garbage can to open said lid connected to said movable member. The reducing valve is connected to an intermediate portion of said pipe for absorbing a part of pressure of oil in said pipe on said pedal's downward movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Tin-Chou Wang
  • Publication number: 20020079315
    Abstract: A trash can assembly has a shell having an enclosing wall that defines a periphery. The assembly has a lid fitted over the top of the shell, and a foot pedal positioned adjacent the bottom of the shell, with a portion of the foot pedal positioned inside the periphery of the shell. The assembly also includes a link assembly coupling the foot pedal and the lid. The assembly can also include a liner defining a container body, the liner fitted inside the shell and having an indent provided on the container body. A handle mechanism has a link strip that has a hooked end, with the hooked end engaging the indent to lift the liner from inside the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Frank Yang
  • Patent number: 6390321
    Abstract: A garbage cam with a push-open cap connected to a pedal interactive device includes a can body, a push-open cap pivotally connected to an inner side of an opening of a can cap, a torque spring to automatically push the push-open cap to move back to close the opening, and a pedal interactive device to pull open the push-open cap. The pedal interactive device consists of a pedal provided at a lower end of the can body, a rope having a first end fixed with the push-open cap and a second end wound around a rope wheel connected to a gear engaging a vertical rack positioned between an upper and a lower rib plates units. The rack is pushed up to rotate the gear and the rope wheel to wind the rope when a user steps down the pedal so that the push-open cap is pulled to open, and the push-open cap automatically moves to close up the opening when the user releases the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hwan Yih Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tin-Chou Wang
  • Patent number: 6386386
    Abstract: A Medical Waste Segregation Apparatus and Method for segregating medical waste at the point of disposal within a medical facility in preparation for further segregated disposal outside the facility. The medical waste device is divided in half by a vertical plane extending through the mid point thereof and with color coding; i.e., one half red and one half neutral, for easy recognition by busy medical staff to deposit red medical waste in the red sector at the point of generation of such waste, whereby cost savings are available for recyclable general waste in the form of cost avoidance as well as seeking to eliminate commingling of general waste inadvertently with medical waste, to achieve decreased disposal cost and increased opportunity for cost avoidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Scott A. George
  • Publication number: 20020053570
    Abstract: Refuse bin with tiltable lid comprises a support member (1) to be secured at a fixed point spaced from the ground, and an upperly open refuse container (2) of virtually vertical longitudinal axis removably coupled to said support member on a transverse horizontal swing axis (333) such as to enable the container to automatically occupy a predetermined substantially erect non-use position in which it is closed by a respective lid, the lid being hinged to said support member on a horizontal axis (222) parallel to the preceding and being linked to the container in such a manner as to be opened and closed when said container swings about its swing axis in the direction in which it moves away from said substantially erect position, and in the opposite direction, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: STIL CASA S.N.C. DI MARCHESELLI ANGELO & C.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Marcheselli, Maurizio Marcheselli
  • Patent number: 6357169
    Abstract: A bait saver bucket with a multi-chambered container having separations for segregating different sizes of live bait as well as providing slots for segregating fishing lines having bait and hook attached thereto, especially while relocating equipment from one location to another. The multi-chambered container is comprised of an outer container for holding an amount of fluid therein and having a closure and a handle and having an inner floating container comprising removable basket-like compartments oppositely opposed and spaced apart by a cover member having apertures substantially conforming to the top openings of the basket-like compartments and having a centrally disposed aperture having a hingedly attached cover for covering the aperture and when opened providing access to the interior of the remainder of the outside bucket enclosure not occupied by the compartments. The cover has slots for allowing leaders to pass through the cover without being crimped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey Kyle Gouge
  • Patent number: 6345627
    Abstract: A cosmetic case tray is translationally mounted within the case base. Engageable clasp members are respectively mounted to the lid and the tray for releasably securing the lid and base together. A push button is located at a front end of the case and is mounted to the tray for displacing the tray rearwardly within the base upon actuation of the push button in a rearward direction. A horizontally extending member is mounted to a rear end of the tray for horizontally transferring rearwardly exerted force from the push button, to an internal surface of the lid, thereby pushing the lid sufficiently open to hingedly separate the lid and base thereby exposing a cosmetic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: LIR France
    Inventor: Robert Petit
  • Patent number: 6345725
    Abstract: A waste bin structure includes an inner barrel, an outer barrel, and a barrel lid. The lid cover includes an inner cover, an outer cover, and a locking portion. The inner cover is provided with a touch portion that may be pressed to pivot the inner cover upward independently. The outer barrel has a connecting portion defining a hanging recess, and the inner barrel is provided with a hanging hook portion secured in the hanging recess. The outer barrel is provided with a hood to form a handle portion of the outer barrel, so that the outer barrel is portable. The lid cover of the waste bin structure can be opened by a triggering action, and alternatively by a stepping action of a foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Tsong-Yow Lin
  • Patent number: 6334542
    Abstract: A garbage can has a main body which is provided with a cover, a garbage holder, and a synchronization mechanism assembly enabling the cover and the garbage holder to work synchronously. The synchronization mechanism assembly comprises a motor having a spindle, a drive gear mounted on the spindle of the motor, a toothed piece of the garbage holder, a transmission gear engaged with the drive gear and a toothed piece of the cover, and a control chip for controlling the operation of the motor. As the motor is started, the drive gear is actuated to turn so as to drive the garbage holder via the toothed piece of the garbage holder. The transmission gear is also driven by the drive gear in motion such that the cover is driven by the transmission gear via the toothed piece of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Chi-Ming Hsu
  • Publication number: 20010032827
    Abstract: A two stage dispensing cap for a carbonated beverage container is described. The cap has a flip top which is hingedly connected to a collar wherein the collar is rotatable on the container. The cap, upon rotation of the collar, is first opened into a venting position wherein the flip top vents the pressurized contents of the container but remains locked partially closed. Continued rotation of the cap releases the locked flop top to allow the container to be fully opened. A set of cams on the container neck work in conjunction with annular beads to first allow partially opening of the flip top into the venting position and then allowing it to fully open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Gary V. Montgomery, Joseph M. Ladina
  • Publication number: 20010020619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a garbage can consisting of a container holding garbage, and a lid which can be opened by pressing down a foot lever located in the lower front area of the garbage can, with the lid consisting of two wedge-shaped lid segments (10, 11) of approximately the same size, each of which has its own external swing axis (12, 13) and which swing upward like double-winged doors when foot lever (15) is pressed down. After the lid is opened, the garbage entry opening is fully accessible. Several garbage cans of this type can be seamlessly combined into a larger unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Rudolf Pfeifer, Gerhard Muller, Ernst Friedrich Weller
  • Patent number: 6267260
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening a trash container door flap, is designed to be rapidly and easily retrofittable onto trash containers having pivoting doors, particularly of the type found in limited-service or fast-food restaurants. The apparatus includes a novel means of attachment to the door flap from which a hand lever and/or a line to a foot pedal may be attached. The attachment means to the door may consist of a clamp that fits over an edge of the door in the space between the door and the cabinet, without interfering with the rotation of the door. A vertical lever may be attached to the clamp or an extension from it so that the door may be easily pivoted with one hand without contacting it. A line such as a cable may also be attached to the clamp or extension, and then down to a freestanding foot pedal that may be used to open the door without the use of ones hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 6244457
    Abstract: A gauge hatch has a cover structure that incorporates a pallet/diaphragm combination and that is cooperatively associated with a pressure responsive liquid seal subassembly. The gauge hatch also incorporates a vent neck and a radially adjacent wall that defines with the vent neck a circumferentially extending reservoir. An exterior preferably radially extending arm permits the cover structure to be opened and inclined at an angle relative to the vent neck. Optionally, the cover may be kept in a closed position. The diaphragm normally seats upon the vent neck. A sealing liquid in the reservoir has a closed chamber over the reservoir liquid. When the arm is not held in a cover closed position, and up until a set vent neck pressure is reached, the liquid seal subassembly eliminates low level fugitive vapor emissions escaping from the diaphragm/seat region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The Protectoseal Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Piotrowski, Martin Clift
  • Patent number: 6223925
    Abstract: A mechanism for selectively securing a cover to a flange of a pressure vessel. A plurality of such devices can be employed, using a plurality of studs that extend through matching openings in the flange and cover. A movable anchor plate or plates, also with holes through which each stud extends, is disposed adjacent to the flange or cover. The head of each stud will fit through its associated hole of the anchor plate (and into the opening of the closer one of the flange or cover) only if the anchor plate is properly oriented. When the anchor plate is so oriented, a piston head at the opposite end of the stud can be actuated away from the flange and cover to retract the stud head into the opening of the flange or cover. This protects the stud when the cover is disengaged from the flange. The stud can be biased in the opposite direction to permit the anchor plate to be reoriented into a position in which the stud head cannot pass through the anchor plate, so the stud can clamp the flange and cover together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Corporation
    Inventors: Allen S. Malsbury, Ronald T. Myszka, Joseph Kalinosky, Richard Klick
  • Patent number: 6209744
    Abstract: An improvement to a hinge-doored receptacle having a housing and a door hinged thereto, said improvement comprising a gradual closure means functionally attached between said housing and said door to facilitate the gradual return of said door to said resting closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Ward P. Gill
  • Patent number: 6196407
    Abstract: A garbage container includes a base, a bottom cover rotatably supported on the base to hold an outer shell and an inner barrel, a plurality of partition boards fastened to the bottom cover and defining a plurality of storage chambers within the outer shell around the inner barrel for receiving classified waste materials, a top cover covered on the outer shell over the storage chambers, an inner container formed of multiple container parts and mounted within the inner barrel, a plurality of cover panels respectively pivoted to the inner barrel and moved to close/open the storage chamber, and a foot lever pivoted to the base and operated to lift one container part or the inner container in opening one cover panel from one storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Green Wheel Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Hei Liu
  • Patent number: 6170683
    Abstract: A two stage dispensing cap for a carbonated beverage container is described. The cap has a flip top which is hingedly connected to a collar wherein the collar is rotatable on the container. The cap, upon rotation of the collar, is first opened into a venting position wherein the flip top vents the pressurized contents of the container but remains locked partially closed. Continued rotation of the cap releases the locked flop top to allow the container to be fully opened. A set of cams on the container neck work in conjunction with annular beads to first allow partially opening of the flip top into the venting position and then allowing it to fully open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6142333
    Abstract: An opening and closing apparatus for a lid including a box body, a lid openable and closable in a first direction and a second direction relative to the box body, a movable member movable to a first position for opening the lid in the first direction, a second position for opening the lid in the second direction, and a closing position for closing the lid, first and second operating buttons integrally coupled to the opposite end portions of the movable member, a first biasing member for normally biasing the movable member to the closing position, and a holding member for holding the movable member in the first position against the biasing force of the first biasing member when the first operating button is pressed and the movable member is moved to the first position, and holding the movable member in the second position against the biasing force of the first biasing member when the second operating button is pressed and the movable member is moved to the second position, the holding member being disposed nea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignees: Piolax Inc., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sasamoto, Seiichi Sato, Takashi Takeuchi, Shogo Sasaoka, Takehiro Terai
  • Patent number: 6138855
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting the lid of a refuse container comprises a handle arm having first and second ends with a handle pivotally coupled to the first end. The lifting apparatus further includes a lifting arm having a first end coupled to the second end of the handle arm. The lifting arm is pivotally attached to an end wall of a refuse bin, the bin having a generally rectangular body with a bottom, front and rear walls, opposing end walls, and a lid pivotally attached to an upper edge of the rear wall. The lifting arm is offset from and normal to the handle arm such that an operation of the handle arm rotates the lifting arm between a first horizontal position beneath the lid of the refuse container in a closed configuration and a second vertical position supporting the lid in an open configuration. A free end of the lifting arm is slidable between a position adjacent a forward edge of the lid in the first position and a position rearwardly displaced from the forward edge in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Bernard Kopf
  • Patent number: 6053348
    Abstract: A cap unit (10) for a container (38) has a cap (20) and an annular skirt (12). The skirt (12) is mounted in the container (38) defining an aperture, the cap (20) being movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the cap (20) covers the aperture and seals it, and in the second position the cap uncovers the aperture, the cap (20) being journalled pivotably around an axis (26) perpendicular to the plan defined by the aperture and placed outside the aperture so that the cap may swing between the first position and the second position. Furthermore, the cap (20) and the skirt (12) have respective claw-formed catching means (14, 16, 18) which are adapted to fix the cap (20) in relation to the skirt (12) and allow the cap (20) to swing from a first to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Leo Morch
  • Patent number: 6039200
    Abstract: A separate, self contained, lever mechanism which may be placed adjacent to the front of large residential trash barrels with lids hinged at the back of the barrel, for creating hands free assistance in opening and closing the lid. Vertical push rods of the mechanism may be temporarily attached to the edge of the lid on both sides by means of pivotal linkage to lid attaching assemblies. This permits the opening and closing of the trash barrel lid to be controlled by the positioning of the lever mechanism which is controlled by either leg of the user. Pressing down on the lever opens the lid to any desired amount. Reducing foot pressure on the lever permits the user to control the closing of the lid using the force of gravity. To accommodate periodic emptying of the trash barrel, the lid attaching assemblies are released and the trash barrel may be rolled away for emptying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Francis L Armor
  • Patent number: 6024238
    Abstract: A trash receptacle with a slowly closing lid is provided. A band of elastomeric material is provided around the rim of the trash receptacle opening to soften contact between the lid and the receptacle. The lid of the trash receptacle may be opened by depressing a foot pedal. When it is desired to close the trash receptacle lid, the foot pedal may be released. This causes the lid to close under its own weight. The lid has a damper arrangement that retards movement of the lid as the lid closes. The slow movement of the lid that is provided by the damper arrangement allows the lid to close quietly and safely by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: White Mop Wringer Company
    Inventor: Philip Jaros
  • Patent number: 6010024
    Abstract: A trash can with a cap opened with a step includes an outer trash can, an inner trash can, a cap closing on the outer trash can, a moving mechanism and a step. The step is positioned outside of the outer trash can with a first end of a movable rod of the moving mechanism located just under the step. So, when the step is pressed down with a foot of a user, the movable rod moves up a connecting rod vertically to push the cap to swing up open, as the cap is pivotally connected with a projection fixed on a rear end of the cap. Further, a decorative cap is pivotally connected with the projection, hiding an upper end of the connecting rod protruding out of the outer trash can so as to beautify the whole shape of the trash can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Tin-Chou Wang
  • Patent number: 6000569
    Abstract: A pedal type dustbin structure, especially such a dustbin structure wherein a lid can be closed slowly to prevent the lid from emitting noise of collision during down closing thereof is disclosed. The dustbin is comprised of a receiving main body and an operating member, wherein, the receiving main body is comprised of a main frame, a top frame, an upper pulling door, a lower pulling door and two receiving bins. Further, the operating member is comprised of a lid, an operating rod, a cylindrical-member fixing-seat, an air-controlled member and a pedal. Wherein, the pedal can control up/down movement of the operating rod to lift and close the lid. The relative movement between the cylindrical-member fixing-seat and the air-controlled member makes slow down closing of the lid, so that noise of collision during down closing of the lid can be prevented. The dustbin is designed to have two receiving bins in the main frame, thus an object of classification of garbage can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Ching-Rong Liu
  • Patent number: 5967375
    Abstract: A sealant melter incorporates a sealant block feed assembly that reduces the labor required to feed sealant blocks to the sealant tank of the melter and that reduces or even eliminates the risk that hot liquid sealant will splash out of the sealant tank when sealant blocks are fed into it. The sealant block feed assembly preferably includes a top-fed splash box and a conveyor assembly for feeding sealant blocks to the splash box from a towing/storage vehicle or the like. The splash box incorporates internal guards in the form of counterbalanced flaps that prevent hot liquid sealant from splashing out of the splash box when the sealant blocks are fed into it from above. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor that is selectively controllable, either from the towing/storage vehicle or from curbside, to receive sealant blocks and to selectively feed the received sealant blocks to the splash box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Crafco, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5957318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a brewing vessel comprising a manhole opening which is closable by a lockable lid. To obtain a simple locking mechanism which, in particular, does not create any unaccessible space, the locking ring is supported on the outside of the frame and comprises at least one locking bolt which cooperates with a recess formed in a collar of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Anton Steinecker Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Banke, Harald Gratzer, Rudolf Flossmann
  • Patent number: 5918756
    Abstract: A pressure vessel according to the present invention includes a housing with a cylindrical upper portion having a plurality of radially extending catch members on its circumference and a lid for mating with the housing with a cylindrical side edge having a plurality of hook-shaped retaining members spaced about its circumference to correspond with the catch members. A control system operates a lift to lower the lid onto the housing. A drive cylinder connected between the lid and the housing is then enabled to rotate the lid relative to the housing about its central axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. Spacers mounted to the inner surfaces of the retaining members act as bearings, guiding the lid as it rotates. As the lid rotates toward its locked position, finger portions of the retaining members cam into underlocking engagement with the catch members to draw the lid onto the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: H. William Morgan
  • Patent number: 5903120
    Abstract: A clothes washing machine includes a housing in which a wash tub is disposed. The housing includes a top cover in which an opening is disposed to enable clothes to be inserted into, or removed from the wash tub. The opening is closed by an openable door. The door is openable in response to the depressing of a foot pedal by a user. The foot pedal can be operably connected to the door by a wire arrangement such that the force for opening the door is provided by the user's foot. Alternatively, the foot pedal or a button could be connected to a motor which is connected to the door for opening the door when the foot pedal (or button) is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-Soo Shin
  • Patent number: 5897014
    Abstract: An opening device designed for large sized garbage containers to open the container with a positively controlled opener to provide a safety device to protect persons against accidental closing of very heavy doors or lids on limbs of people who must have access to the inside of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Rich A. English
  • Patent number: 5881896
    Abstract: A refuse container (10) includes an open-top receptacle (12) that is selectively closed by a removable hood (14). The hood (14) carries a roll-back door (22) that is operatively connected to a foot pedal (16) by a pair of lifters (18). The container (10) is designed so that the door (22) rolls back to an open position when the foot pedal (16) is depressed. The connection between the foot pedal (16) and the door (22) allows the hood (14) to be removed from the receptacle (12) without requiring the user to disconnect the linkage. As such, the linkage is automatically disassembled when the hood (14) is removed and automatically reassembled when the hood (14) is placed on the receptacle (12). The connection generally includes an engagement bar (70) that projects from an upper end of each lifter (18). The door (22) has a pair of arms (88) that each have a slot (84) therein. When the hood (14) is placed on the receptacle (12), the slots (86) engage the engagement bars (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Presnell, Harold E. Ruckman, Kirstin J. van Duelmen
  • Patent number: 5873476
    Abstract: A cap includes a cap body attached to a discharge port portion of a container and having a pouring port through which a content of the container can be discharged, and a lid pivotally supported by the cap body and capable of opening and closing the pouring port. The cap is provided with: a pushing member whose intermediate portion is pivotally supported by a pivotally supporting portion on a side surface of the cap body, the pushing member being swingable about the pivotally supporting portion; and a thin-walled hinge for connecting an end portion of the pushing member and a rotatably supporting portion of the lid, the thin-walled hinge being adapted to convert swinging motion of the pushing member into motion for opening or closing the lid as an upper portion or a lower portion of the pushing member is operated by being pushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: NIFCO, Inc.
    Inventors: Norio Takahashi, Yukio Ojima
  • Patent number: 5842567
    Abstract: A package having two halves that are connected by a hinge. The hinge allows the halves to be folded against each other about a device and held in this position by snap/indentation pairs. A folded tab on one half rests against a detent on the other half. Pushing down on the folded tab causes the tab to straighten out and thereby push against the detent, eventually overcoming the frictional force of the snap/indentation pair closest to the tab and pushing the halves apart an amount sufficient to remove the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: T. Scott Rowe, Michael Meritt-Powell
  • Patent number: 5829610
    Abstract: A tamper-evident closure is provided with a base for attachment to a container, and the base defines a discharge aperture. A lid is movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the discharge aperture. A manually releasable latch holds the lid closed on the base. A tamper-indicating element is mounted adjacent the latch. In one form of the invention, the element has a removable part defining a tool. According to another aspect of the invention, the removable part of the element is broken away when the latch is operated. In yet another form of the invention, the element prevents operation of the latch until the removable part of the element is first removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Rohr, Leo R. Imbery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5779072
    Abstract: A child resistant package includes a plastic container and a plastic closure. The container includes a body and a finish having an opening. The closure includes a base wall, an outer flexible peripheral skirt and an inner peripheral skirt. Interengaging retaining means on the finish of the container and the inner skirt of said closure restrict relative movement between said container and closure to rotary movement. The plastic closure also includes opposed flexible portions on said outer skirt and opposed lugs on the inner surface of the outer skirt. The container has opposed lugs on the finish engaging said lugs on said closure precluding rotation of said closure unless said flexible portions of said skirt are squeezed. A portion of the base wall of the closure is hinged to the base wall and normally lies in the same plane as the base wall. The container has a securing bead on the finish and the top portion has means engaging the securing bead. The container includes an inclined ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Krebs
  • Patent number: 5765339
    Abstract: A container receives and stores soiled items through valving structure that receives a soiled item through a normally open input opening and releases the soiled item to the container through a normally closed output opening after closing the normally open input opening and opening the normally closed output opening while preventing odors inside the container from escaping to the region outside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas A. Garland
  • Patent number: 5746338
    Abstract: A cap includes a cap body attached to a discharge port portion of a container and having a pouring port through which a content of the container can be discharged, and a lid pivotally supported by the cap body and capable of opening and closing the pouring port. The cap is provided with: a pushing member whose intermediate portion is pivotally supported by a pivotally supporting portion on a side surface of the cap body, the pushing member being swingable about the pivotally supporting portion; and a thin-walled hinge for connecting an end portion of the pushing member and a rotatably supporting portion of the lid, the thin-walled hinge being adapted to convert swinging motion of the pushing member into motion for opening or closing the lid as an upper portion or a lower portion of the pushing member is operated by being pushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventors: Norio Takahashi, Yukio Ojima