Biased Patents (Class 220/326)
  • Patent number: 5337913
    Abstract: A lunch box including a tray and a removable lid with a rear, separable hinge assembly and a forward manually releasable latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a front panel on the tray with longitudinally spaced pressure pads and forwardly projecting detents which engage with corresponding detents on the depending front wall of the lid. Simultaneous rearward pressure on the two pressure pads rearwardly release the tray detents from the lid detents and free the lid for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5332131
    Abstract: A kicker latch for container closures includes a latch wall integrally hinged to the cap and having a latch tab extending from an end of the latch wall toward the cap and kicker lever extending in generally the same direction and spaced from the latch tab. In general, pivoting the kicker latch outwardly causes the kicker lever to urge a closure member of the cap away from its closed position to facilitate grasping the closure member to pivot it to its fully open position. On a folding spout type of cap, wherein the folding spout functions as a closure member, the latch wall may include a plug positioned between the latch tab and the kicker lever to seal the end of the spout. In general, the kicker latch has utility with a variety of types of container closures, including caps with nonfolding spouts, open top types of caps for pills and granulates, and containers for which the closure member is a lid which is completely separable from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: Harold T. Pehr
  • Patent number: 5328049
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vivarium for keeping, raising, and/or observing animals or plants. The present invention provides a vivarium comprised of a generally rectangular tank having four side walls and a base. A pair of guide tracks extend generally along the upper edge of two of the side walls. A cover is provided which slides horizontally onto the vivarium along the guide tracks. A stop along one edge of the cover engages a clip, hanging over one of the side walls of the vivarium, when the cover is in a closed position. When the stop has engaged the clip, a locking pin may be inserted through the stop to prevent the unauthorized access to the interior of the vivarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Ritzow
  • Patent number: 5322178
    Abstract: A tub-type container having a one-hand operable latch includes a tub portion with an upper edge, a front wall, a rear wall and first and second side walls, the walls integrally joined to each other. A skirt depends from a peripheral edge of at least the front wall, and a forwardly projecting flange extends from the skirt along at least a portion of the front wall. The container also has a lid including a peripheral edge and front, rear, and first and second side portions corresponding to the walls of the container, the lid provided with a skirt depending from at least the front portion of the lid. The container is provided with a handle formation integrally formed into the skirt on the front side and projecting vertically above the peripheral edge, the handle formation being pivotable from a generally vertical closed position to a rearwardly projecting open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Plastofilm Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Foos
  • Patent number: 5317959
    Abstract: The cover lock/safety device (1) of a pressure cooker (2) substantially comprises a cover handle (10) hinged onto the cover (3), which handle his formed by a first, hook-shaped element (16), and a second element (17) extending from the extension of said first, hook-shaped element. The first element (16) gets engaged in (12) to the side surface of the cooker body (4), tightly closing the said cover (2).When the cooker operates, the inner pressure inside the cooker (2) pushes outwards a pin element (11) which, in said extended position, engages the free end of said second element (17). Thus, the handle (10) results to be locked when the cooker is under pressure. The device is hence easy to use and, simultaneously, safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Aeternum S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Beluzzi
  • Patent number: 5311990
    Abstract: A thermoformed plastic package is disclosed. The package comprises a lower tray for receiving an article and a top cover. The top cover has flaps foldably connected along fold lines. The lower tray has female tabs molded into the lower trays. Inner male tabs and outer tabs are cut into in the flaps. The male tabs are engaged by the female tabs and the cover is thereby locked into place to form the assembled package. The cover is released by pulling on outer male tabs located in the flaps. The package is easily re-locked. The package optionally comprises at least one inner tray nested in the lower tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Kalinski
  • Patent number: 5310061
    Abstract: A cartridge in a book format for accommodating two decks of word-puzzle playing cards. The cartridge includes a top plate and a like base plate simulating the front and rear covers of a book whose inner surfaces, when the book is closed, are then in parallel relation. The top and base plate are interhinged by a slat that simulates the spine of the book. Formed on the inner surface of the base plate are two side-by-side compartments, the two decks of cards being received in these compartments. Formed on the inner surface of the top plate is a rectangular flange within which the two compartments nest when the book is closed, the flange then simulating the pages normally sandwiched between the covers of the book. Printed on the face of each card is a puzzle represented by two words, each having the same number of letters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Maurice S. Kanbar
  • Patent number: 5310049
    Abstract: A two part clamshell web cassette is provided with a central recess for receiving a web roll core. The core and cassette half shells have mating surfaces which form a labyrinth light seal when the cassette is closed and which prevent rotation of the core during handling of the cassette to provide a core brake. Surfaces on the cassette parts clamp the web rail of a partially dispensed web roll when the cassette is closed. The core brake and web clamping surfaces facilitate transport of the cassette without loss of intra-roll web tension. The cassette is provided with a latch for retaining the cassette half shells in a closed light sealed condition. A frangible covering over a latch release means indicates when broken that the cassette may have been opened prematurely. The cassette further includes a web end retaining means which retains the web end portion to the underlying convolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Donald O. Bigelow, Craig A. Caprio, John B. Chemelli
  • Patent number: 5301829
    Abstract: A fuel can is provided which includes a receptacle for receiving fuel or other liquid therein and a tray for holding other items, the tray being complementally configured with the bottom of the receptacle whereby the tray and receptacle may be releasably coupled in mating engagement. The tray and receptacle are provided with coupling structure which includes a pair of bosses on one component and a pair of latch members on the other component, the bosses and latch members being preferably integrally formed with the tray and receptacle. The latch member is resilient and yieldable during engagement of the tray and receptacle whereby a hook on the latch member engages a respective boss and spreads the latch members apart and then resiliently snaps into position on the to hold the tray and receptacle in coupled relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Blitz U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Larry L. Chrisco
  • Patent number: 5295602
    Abstract: An engine air cleaner housing has a snap latch closure that secures the housing cover on the housing base. To form the snap latch closure, the base has a depending retaining wall, a pair of lateral projections at opposite ends of the retaining wall, and a cross bar interconnecting the lateral projections. The retaining wall, lateral projections and cross bar define a rectangular opening which receives a U-shaped tongue extending from the cover. The tongue includes a firm leg depending adjacent the retaining wall, a flexing leg adjacent the cross bar, a cam surface formed on the flexing leg and engaging the cross bar to deflect the flexing leg as the tongue is received in the opening, and a barb that snaps into engagement with the cross bar after the tongue is fully received in the opening. Engagement of the barb with the cross bar serves to retain the tongue in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John S. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5272832
    Abstract: A bait station of the invention includes a container having an opening permitting a target pest to enter and exit, an internal chamber for storing a bait together with a pesticide, a lid which can be opened to permit direct access to the internal chamber, and three manually-releasable locking mechanisms capable of securing the lid to the container. The locking mechanisms are simultaneously actuated in order to release the lid from the container, and are spaced from each other by a distance sufficient to prevent a child from opening two of the locking mechanisms with one hand and the third with the other hand, but close enough to permit an adult to do so. The user must touch all three mechanisms and lift the lid at the same time to open the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Lipha, S.A.
    Inventors: Edward F. Marshall, Melanie S. Orth, Harry B. Lansing
  • Patent number: 5273221
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for safe disposal of hypodermic syringes, needles and other small, contaminated instruments such as, for example, scalpel blades, stitch cutters etc. (Commonly referred to as "sharps"). The apparatus firstly comprises a collection container having a primary lid which is movable between an open position and a closed position and is releasable latched in the closed position. The latch mechanism is adapted to be released when the contain is brought into cooperation with a destructor apparatus. The destructor apparats comprised a disposal receptacle adapted to receive the container and unlatch the lid, and a destructor means. adapted to generally comminute the material deposited therein. The destructor apparatus has an inlet and an outlet, a plurality of rotating blades which cooperate with two cutting plates which are arranged to define a flow path for the material between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Elotown Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald J. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5273179
    Abstract: A child resistant VCR cover comprises a cover plate having ribs for locating the cover within the video cassette door, a pair of cams which lock the cover in place, grips for rotating the cams, and springs for biasing the cams against the cover plate. The cover is installed by pushing and turning simultaneously the two grips. Each cam has a bevelled surface and acts in a screwlike fashion to engage the interior surface of the VCR frontplate, thereby locking the cover in place. To release the cover, the grips are pushed and rotated until the cams no longer engage the interior side of the VCR frontplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: James M. Stratton
  • Patent number: 5267668
    Abstract: A child resistant storage box for medical supplies for one patient, in-home care, incorporating a disposal unit which can be separately closed off before final disposal comprises a box made of rigid plastic having a cover and a container portions, tabs of slightly flexible plastic attached to the inside rim of the cover on either side, circular pieces of rigid plastic or rounds, integrally bonded to the tabs and of a size and thickness to complement circular openings in the two sides of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventor: Hedwig E. Jones
  • Patent number: 5267667
    Abstract: A plug is adapted to be fixed by means of a hot melt adhesive into an opening in a plate. It comprises a molded plastics material body and a bead of hot melt adhesive deposited onto a peripheral surface of the body around a surface transverse to the peripheral surface. The body comprises at least one snap-fastener blade having an insertion ramp and a retaining lip such that the insertion ramp bears against the edge of the opening when the plug is placed on the latter, bends if pressure is then applied to the plug to press it into the opening, and expands thereafter with the lip facing a first side of the plate while the bead of adhesive faces a second side of the plate. The snap-fastener blade extends between an attachment end and a free end in a longitudinal direction parallel to the peripheral surface and to the transverse surface. The blade is therefore entirely on the second side of the plate when the plug is snap-fastened in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: ITW de France
    Inventor: Henri Cozzani
  • Patent number: 5265751
    Abstract: A safety container having an array of ratchet teeth cooperating with a pawl stop is provided. The cover of the container can only be removed by counterclockwise rotation while the pawl is urged out of engagement with the ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Russel-Stanley Corporation
    Inventors: William Lima, Earl V. Lind, Philip D. Bartlett, Michael R. McGrath
  • Patent number: 5251775
    Abstract: A waste handling container includes a container body with a top and an opening defined therein, the opening having opposite sides; a lid adapted to cover and seal shut the opening; and, a lid control assembly for supporting and guiding the lid and enabling the lid to be moved between a horizontal, closed position covering and sealing the opening and a vertical, open position away from the opening and pivoted to either side of the container body. The lid control assembly includes a pair of guide rails mounted to the container body along opposing sides of the opening, and includes a pair of roller hinge mechanisms mounted to the lid and adapted to correspondingly engage with the guide rails and allow the lid to slide laterally along the top of the container body and to hingedly pivot at either of opposite edges of the container body. The guide rails are mounted to the container body for vertical reciprocation and each includes a pair of suspension units for biasing the guide rails in the up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Galbreath Incorporated
    Inventors: Kent Kruzick, Brooks Roudebush
  • Patent number: 5251771
    Abstract: A structure of a casing for a vehicle-mounted radio communication apparatus. The casing is removably mounted on a fixture in any one of a plurality of positions such that either the surface or the back thereof rests on the fixture, as desired. This allows cables to be readily connected to associated connectors provided on the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Hotsumi, Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5243823
    Abstract: In a master cylinder (20), a cap (30) for guiding a primary piston (50) is located within an end opening (24) of a body (22) of the master cylinder (20). The end cap (30) retains a sleeve (40) and other components within a bore (12) of the master cylinder (20), and is attached to the body (22) of the master cylinder (20) by way of a biasing retention mechanism (45; 145, 150; 260). The mechanism (45; 145, 150; 260) may bias the end cap (30) axially inwardly of the bore (12), bias a gripping ring member (145) radially outwardly into engagement with the body (22) of the master cylinder (20), and retain a first end (32) of the end cap (30) within the bore (12) in accordance with the extent to which the first end (32) is inserted axially into the bore (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Jordan, Howard J. Childs, Peter R. Johnson, Jack Martinic, Eugene G. Wright
  • Patent number: 5242070
    Abstract: The freight container, in particular air freight container, comprises a door opening bounded by lateral vertical posts which door opening is closable by a rigid or roll-up container door fixed at one end and lockable in the closed position by bolts which are arranged on a door bar or the like closure profile and which can be introduced into mating elements on the container frame. Here, the locking bolts are rigidly connected to the door bar. At least one of the locking bolts can be inserted in a corresponding latching recess in the container frame on the front side, and there is provided a locking tongue slidable on the front side over the insertion opening of the latching recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Alusuisse-Lonza Services, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gert Bretschneider, Ulf Hartmann, Eugen Ryziuk, Dieter Kiesewetter, Albrecht Loble
  • Patent number: 5235775
    Abstract: A fishing lure holder is disclosed which employs a novel locking member that cooperates with the shaft of an object such, as a fishing rod, to lock the container in the closed position. The locking member thus serves to fix the container to the object such as the fishing rod and the fishing rod functions as part of the locking mechanism. The reclosable container is provided with first and second concave enclosure members. The two enclosures are hinged together, preferably, by means of what is commonly known as a living hinge. The container is maintained in a closed position by means of a substantially "S" shaped locking mechanism. Preferably two pairs of locking mechanisms are provided for better attachment to the fishing rod. Each of the "S" shaped latch element has a concave portion which extends from its respective enclosure member open edge. The latch element concave portion open in the opposite direction from the first enclosure member concave interior region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Inventor: David A. Daughtry
  • Patent number: 5234121
    Abstract: A telescoping container has an inner section which is telescopically movable into and out of an outer section and has biasing means formed integrally with the sections to normally bias said sections to an untelescoped position. When pressure is applied to said sections, the biasing means yields to permit the sections to move to a telescoped position. The biasing means comprises biasing elements integrally formed on one section aligned with and engaging the biasing elements integrally formed on the other section. Coupling means are provided to prevent the sections from becoming detached from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Inventor: Win H. Chen
  • Patent number: 5234124
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container having first and second sections with at least one handle portion on each container facing each other in superimposed relationship to form a container and a latch mechanism associated with at least one handle for providing a preseal in the container by forcing the first and second sections toward each other in sealing arrangement and for maintaining the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Charles A. Buckner, III, Stephen B. Leonard
  • Patent number: 5232116
    Abstract: A can clip comprises a generally C-shape spring metal clip body having a central bight portion and upper and lower arms extending from said central bight portion and defining between outer ends thereof an opening for passage therebetween of the peripheral edge portion of a lid and annular bead of a container. The central bight portion has a J-shape formed by an upright stem and a rounded base forming the lower end of the clip body. The lower arm slopes upwardly and outwardly and away from the rounded base and has an outer end portion intended to engage the underside of the container bead adjacent the side wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Tom Thumb Clip Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Carlton W. Baxter
  • Patent number: 5218784
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a top bin lid from below such that, when in the fully opened position, the lid will not extend above the plane of the opening. The apparatus utilizes an elongated lever arm pivotally mounted on the pivot axis of the bin lid. A flexible linkage, such as a chain extends from below, over the lever arm and is connected to a gravity biased latch system which holds the lid in the closed position until the chain is pulled from below. After the latch is released, further drawing of the chain will pivot the lid and arm about their common pivot axis until the arm is obstructed from further movement by the bin. Continued pulling of the chain will draw the lid toward the lever arm against spring pressure until the lid has been pivoted approximately 180.degree. from its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Grain Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene B. Pollock
  • Patent number: 5207345
    Abstract: A device is disclosed which provides an airtight seal for buckets and other containers not previously having a removable, easily resealable lid. The device consists of an adapter and a lid which is threaded into the adapter. The adapter is formed to drape over the rim of the container. A seal is located between the adapter and the rim and provides an airtight seal when compressed. The adapter is held in engagement with the container by a ridge which engages a lip on the rim of the container. The lid includes threads which engage threads in the adapter and a second seal is located between the adapter and the lid providing an airtight seal when compressed. In one embodiment, the lid drapes over the adapter and prevents the adapter from being disengaged from the bucket by preventing the adapter form deforming sufficiently to disengage from the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventors: Gene L. Stewart, Gary S. Breed
  • Patent number: 5205431
    Abstract: A case for cosmetics including a cover and a base. The cover and base have end and peripheral walls which together define an interior compartment. An integrally formed latching device is located in the front portion of the case. The latching device comprises a push tab in the form of a tongue-like section of the base peripheral wall. The distal and intermediate portions of the push tab are separated from adjacent portions of the base peripheral wall by at least one slot which extends alongside the push tab to its proximal end. Coacting cam means associated with the push tab and with an adjacent portion of the cover produces a force biasing the front portion of the base and cover apart when the push tab is moved inwardly with the latch engaged. Interengagement means is integrally formed on the cover and base peripheral walls to latch the cover to the base when the front portions of the base and cover are pressed together and unlatch when the front portions of the base and cover are forced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gerald B. Zinnbauer
  • Patent number: 5201434
    Abstract: A standard garbage receiving dumpster is provided with a locking bar disposed across its lid. A locking mechanism cooperating with the locking bar is added to the dumpster to prevent the locking bar from rotating when the dumpster is in an upright position. A lock is provided which when opened permits the locking bar to be disengaged from the locking mechanism to allow authorized users to rotate the locking bar and open the dumpster lid to permit the deposit of garbage therein. The locking mechanism is disengaged when the dumpster is in an inverted position to permit the lid to open and the contents of the dumpster to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: De Vivo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario DeVivo, Mariano Tucciarone
  • Patent number: 5193707
    Abstract: A camera battery storage container is opened and closed by a battery lid which holds a manually operable lock member including an engaging finger engagable with a retaining member on a camera housing. When the engaging finger is disengaged from the retaining member, the battery lid can be opened, giving access to a battery chamber defined in the camera battery storage container. The battery lid has an integral holder by which the manually operable lock member is slidably held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sadao Mizumura
  • Patent number: 5168995
    Abstract: A pinch clip lid for a non-hermetic package containing an electronic component having an exposed face has a step lid that includes means for centering the lid on the package. Attached to opposing sides of the lid are side bars that have a lower portion that extends slightly inwardly to grip the package when the lid is mounted on the package, and that have an upper portion contiguous with the lower portion so that when the top portions are pinched, the lower portions release the grip on the package so that the lid may be removed from or placed on the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. German
  • Patent number: 5156291
    Abstract: The invention in its simplest form comprises a hinged cover for a fish receiving receptacle and the cover has a passage passing through the cover into which a frame containing a resiliently biased auxiliary door is secured. The bias urges the door against a stop which holds the door in the closed position so that the door may be opened in the inward direction by overcoming the biasing force. The stop is movable so that when the stop is disengaged from the door the bias will serve to hold the door in the open outward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Arthur Mielke
  • Patent number: 5156293
    Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for serially dispensing products such as paper napkins from a stack of such products. The dispenser apparatus includes a housing having a back wall which is curved and has a radius of curvature generally corresponding to the radius of curvature of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: James River II, Inc.
    Inventors: Tor Petterson, Jean T. McGregor
  • Patent number: 5156292
    Abstract: An airtight canister including (a) a ceramic container having an open top, a bottom and an annular groove adjacent to the bottom; (b) an acrylic cover having an annular rim; (c) an annular rubber gasket wrapped on the annular rim of the cover; (d) an elongated elastic cord having two ends; (e) a wave shaped hook linked to said cord between the two ends; and (f) a generally ".pi."-shaped connecting member connected between the two ends of said cord and said cover; (g) so that when the cover is placed onto the open top of the container and the hook is retained by the annular groove adjacent to the bottom of the container, the tension of the elastic cord will maintain a pressure on the cover through the connecting member, which in turn creates an airtight coverage with the help of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Gary Ross
  • Patent number: 5147060
    Abstract: A safety container having an array of ratchet teeth cooperating with a pawl stop is provided. The cover of the container can only be removed by counterclockwise rotation while the pawl is urged out of engagement with the ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Russell-Stanley Corporation
    Inventors: William Lima, Earl V. Lind, Philip D. Bartlett, Michael R. McGrath
  • Patent number: 5143239
    Abstract: A releasing device for a tank including a bolt engageable in an opening of a tank, the bolt having a head formed on one end and having a bore formed in the center, a plug engageable in the bore of the bolt for blocking the bore, a ring coupled to the plug, a spring and a ball received in the plug, the ball being biased by the spring to engage with the bolt when the plug is engaged within the bore of the bolt so that the plug can be retained in place, and the plug can be easily pulled out of the bolt by the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Biastro International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen C. Yang
  • Patent number: 5137260
    Abstract: A child resistant container with a flush latched closure includes a container with a resilient latch tongue member hinged thereto, the tongue including upper and lower pawls forming a latch recess therebetween. A closure or cap is hinged to the container and includes a latch bar sized and shaped to be flushly received within the latch recess to prevent gripping access to the latch bar. The cap hinge is of such a configuration that the cap cannot be separated from the container body with the cap latched closed. The latch is released by flexing the latch tongue toward the container which moves the upper pawl out of the way of the latch bar and moves the lower pawl beneath the latch bar to expose a gripping edge of the latch bar to allow a fingernail or the like to be used to open the cap. The latch tongue is positionable in such a manner as to avoid use of the latch to close the container, and the cap and container body are cooperatively sized to seal the container without the cap being latched thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Harold T. Pehr
  • Patent number: 5135129
    Abstract: A lid locking device for an industrial waste container having a lid and a pair of sleeves capable of receiving the pick-up arms of a vehicle. The device has a plate rotatably disposed adjacent one of the sleeves such that the plate rotates on entry of a pick-up arm into the sleeve and a locking mechanism attached to the lid. A rotating bar with a swinging arm at its top end interconnects the plate and the locking mechanism. Rotation of the plate disengages the locking mechanism. A spring biases the rotating bar to the engaged position. An obstruction in the sleeve helps prevent manual levering of the plate within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Martin Joly
  • Patent number: 5135127
    Abstract: The present invention is an airtight canister. The airtight canister comprises a ceramic container and an acrylic cover. The ceramic container has an open top, a bottom and an annular groove adjacent to the bottom. The acrylic cover is secured on the ceramic container by an elongated cord and a wave-shaped hook. The elongated cord has two ends interconnected by a coil spring which creates a tension on the cord, and the hook is linked to the cord between its two ends. A generally ".pi."-shaped member is mounted on the cover and has an inner chamber for retaining the coil spring and the two ends of the elongated cord. When the cover is placed onto the open top of the container and the hook is retained by the annular groove adjacent to the bottom of the container, the tension on the cord created by the coil spring will remain a pressure on the cover through the connecting member, which in turn creates an airtight coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Gary Ross
  • Patent number: 5135126
    Abstract: Case composed of two parts articulated to one another and comprising a one-piece clasp comprising a body on which are provided retention means, elastic return means, actuating means accessible from outside and locking means. The body (7) of the clasp (1) is constructed so that it can be introduced into the first case part (3) by sliding through an opening (4) and the retention means (15) cooperate, at the end of this mounting by sliding, by snapping in, with stop means (19) provided on the first case part (3) so as to enable the locking means (12) to cooperate with hooking means on the second case part (6).Application: in particular to make-up cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Lir France
    Inventor: Robert Petit
  • Patent number: 5131558
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a receptacle for receiving a small article. The receptacle for receiving a small article comprises a receptacle body, a cover and a closing operation plate made of plastics each which is independently and integrally formed by injection molding so as to constitute the receptacle by assembling these constitutional members.According to the receptacle for receiving a small article of the present invention, there is no danger of loosening the connecting portion of the receptacle body and the cover or no danger of loosening a locking condition of the cover. Further unlocking action may easily be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Hiromori Inc.
    Inventor: Junji Hiromori
  • Patent number: 5131551
    Abstract: A one-piece merchandising container made of synthetic plastic sheet is provided. The merchandising container is suitable for storing food products such as sandwich type products within warming ovens useful in self-serve food store operations. The merchandising container includes an overlocking sealing peripheral lip structure, an especially flexible hinge portion, and a locking assembly that ensures closure of the merchandising container until the locking assembly is precisely manipulated through an unlocking procedure initiated by depressing a portion of the container below the locking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Cindie M. Wells
  • Patent number: 5100015
    Abstract: A latch unit for releasably latching a lid to a mating container. The latch unit comprises a horizontally disposed resilient beam which is spaced from the rim of either the lid or the container and includes a resilient finger plate which extends toward the bottom of the lid or container to terminate in a free end. The finger plate has a detent disposed at its other end with a horizontal abutment surface. A locking cage is disposed on the side wall of the other of the lid or container and includes a horizontally disposed stop for engagement with the abutment surface when the latch unit is latched. The latch unit may be unlatched by flexing the finger plate to release the detent from the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Electro-Wire Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Al Vanderstuyf
  • Patent number: 5096084
    Abstract: A rigid two-piece plastic merchandising container is provided. The merchandising container is suitable for storing food products such as sandwich type products within warming ovens useful in self-serve food store operations. The merchandising container includes a sealing peripheral lip structure, an interlocking hinge assembly portion, and a locking assembly which cooperates with the hinge assembly to ensure constant closure of the merchandising container until the locking assembly is precisely manipulated through an unlocking procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Cindy M. Wells
  • Patent number: 5094356
    Abstract: A knock down bulk container has side and end panels hinged to a base. In assembling the container for use, first the end panels are uprighted to a substantially vertical position, and then the side panels are swung to an upright position. As the side panels are swung into their upright position, lift pins formed to protrude laterally outwardly from each side edge of the side panels engage a lift track in an end wall of the base to raise each of the side panels vertically with respect to its hinge axis. To connect the panels together, the end panels are formed with pockets along their edges adjacent the corners of the container, and the side panels have hooks that are seated within the pockets of the end panels. As the side panels are swung into their upright position, the hooks are positioned vertically above the pockets by the engagement of the lift pins with the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Buckhorn Material Handling Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5092479
    Abstract: A rigid one-piece merchandizing container made of synthetic plastic sheet is provided. The merchandizing container is suitable for storing food products such as sandwich type products within warming ovens useful in self-serve food store operations. The merchandizing container includes a sealing peripheral lip structure, an especially flexible hinge portion, and a locking assembly that ensures closure of the merchandizing container until the locking assembly is precisely manipulated through an unlocking procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Cindy M. Wells
  • Patent number: 5090753
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic locking mechanism for a dumpster container having a hinged lid. The elements of the locking mechanism comprise an L or U-shaped securing member which is attached to one or both sidewalls of the container. The securing member pivots over the lid, and is held in place by a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism fixes the L or U-shaped securing member in a position that inhibits opening of the container lid. The securing mechanism is automatically operated by a spring or gravity operated foot piece and linkage system which pivots the securing member over the lid of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Lowell R. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5071023
    Abstract: A device for manually opening and closing a vessel door the device including a fixed first bar and a moveable second bar mounted parallel to the first bar which when moved toward the first bar, permits relative movement of the door and insures automatic locking of the door in both open and close positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Societe Nouvelle Clera
    Inventor: Yvan Perrot
  • Patent number: 5065885
    Abstract: An airtight container for foods having a base vessel and a cover that can form an airtight seal. The cover is provided with a gasket around the perimeter and an alignment or locating means cooperating with the base vessel for quick and easy alignment and a hinge or clamp that pulls down the cover to force a gasket positioned in a perimeter annulus of the cover to deform the gasket and form the airtight seal. The hinge or clamp is easily operated to cause the pull down of the cover and form the seal and easily released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Scaroni F.lli S.p.A.
    Inventor: Damiano Scaroni
  • Patent number: 5033634
    Abstract: A child resistant box which is composed of a base, a lid and a hinge connecting the base and lid together. A latching mechanism is located on each of the two sides of the box for releasably retaining the lid to the base. The box can be moved between open, intermediate, and closed positions. The box also includes a means for biasing the lid from the intermediate position toward the closed position. To open the box the lid is compressed to the intermediate position. In this intermediate position, the latching mechanism may be disengaged by exerting manual pressure thereon toward the center of the box. Once pressure is exerted simultaneously on both latching mechanisms the lid is released and the biasing means moves the lid at least partially toward the open position. The operation of this box is particularly well-suited for the elderly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jay A. Batchelor, Calvin S. Cook, Nancy E. A. Hartsig, John M. Lorence, Mark W. Killmeier, Todd A. Battistoni
  • Patent number: 5024343
    Abstract: A container assembly including a plastic container formed by rotational casting in a multiple piece mold, particularly for use in tumbling and treating small articles such as in coating, electroplating, washing and cleaning such articles while the container is in rotational motion. An opening in the side wall of the container is provided after the container is molded and a closure is disposed thereacross. Portions of the side wall of the container are specially molded to retain one or more retainers, such as metal spring clips, in place against the closure to tightly hold the closure against the opening. In a particular form, one or more large gears are secured against the end walls of the container and access is had to the interior of the container as it operates, through respective end openings and tubular formations integrally molded with the end walls thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Jerome H. Lemelson