Spring Biased Patents (Class 220/348)
  • Patent number: 11945344
    Abstract: A buckle for a child safety seat harness having a base part and a latch part, the latch part having a releasable latching mechanism that includes a plurality of magnetic elements arranged to urge the base and latch parts into engagement during a connection operation and to urge the base and latch parts apart during a disconnection operation that also releases the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Michael S. Degrace, Matthew J. Ransil
  • Patent number: 11894644
    Abstract: The present application relates to the technical field of adapter devices, and in particular to an adapter shell and an adapter. The adapter shell, used for providing a circuit board, comprises: a first shell, a second shell and a sliding plate. The first shell comprises a first bottom plate and a first annular lateral plate. The second shell comprises a second bottom plate and a second annular lateral plate. The sliding plate is movably connected to the second bottom plate, and the sliding plate and the second annular lateral plate are respectively positioned on two sides of the second bottom plate. The first annular lateral plate and the second annular lateral plate are detachably connected to each other in a sleeved manner to form a placing cavity for providing the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Guangdong Gopod Group Holding Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhuowen Liao
  • Patent number: 11834233
    Abstract: Drink containers include a liquid container and a cap assembly removably coupled to the liquid container. Cap assemblies include a switch, a trigger and seal bar. Upon actuating the trigger the seal bar slides back to form a drink outlet opening in the cap assembly. To hold the seal bar in an open state without additional external force from the user, the switch is slid from an unlocked position to a locked positon, thereby keeping the drink outlet and a vent formed in the cap assembly open in order to cool down a warm beverage in the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Luhrs, Ben Vierck
  • Patent number: 11800888
    Abstract: Improvements to a juice extraction machine, particularly a commercial-scale fruit juice extraction machine that is extremely light and compact for very easy handling and transportation, which is noteworthy for its unusual construction configuration that includes, among other items, a swing-lidded waste-bin on its front whose walls are close to the peeler cups when closed, allowing easy removal of wastes such as pith, pulp and peel when open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventor: Carlos Mendes
  • Patent number: 10865020
    Abstract: A drinking container comprising a vessel; a cap, atop said vessel; a flexible drinking straw extending from said cap, in flow communication with an interior of said vessel; a slidable, generally flat lid defining a cavity between said cap and said lid; wherein said lid is generally co-extensive with a top of said cap, and is slidably mounted to said cap to slide between an open position in which said flexible straw is extended for drinking, to a closed position in which said straw is flexed into said cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Marc Heinke
  • Patent number: 9657772
    Abstract: A system for a motor vehicle with a first assembly having a first substrate and a rail extending outwardly from the first substrate. The system also includes a second assembly having a second substrate and a clamp extending outwardly from the second substrate. The clamp is slidably coupled to the rail and configured to apply a lateral force to the rail to dampen longitudinal motion of the second assembly relative to the first assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald A. Bozio, Craig D. Flowerday
  • Patent number: 8939319
    Abstract: A thermotherapy device (1) includes a basic housing (2) with walls (14) with a support for a patient and an especially transparent covering hood (3) for the basic housing (2), which covering hood can be moved between a closed position and an open position, so that the basic housing (2) is closed by the covering hood (3) in the closed position. A guide mechanism (4) is provided for mechanically guiding the motion of the covering hood (3) between the closed position and open position. A heater such as a convection heater with a blower heats the air and/or an air humidifier humidifies the air. The covering hood (3) is moved in a simple manner and access to the support for a patient is essentially not hindered by the covering hood (3) in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Jochim Koch, Philip Möhring, Harald Kneuer
  • Publication number: 20140339232
    Abstract: A closure device for connecting two parts is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Fidlock GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Fiedler
  • Patent number: 8875919
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a stopper (1) for closing a dispensing opening (70) of a container (8). The stopper comprises a body element (2) for closing the dispensing opening, the body element having a top face (20) and a bottom face (22), the bottom face being directed towards the inside of the container; a moving element (3) which is situated at the top face (20) of the body element (2), wherein the moving element is movable relative to the body element from an initial position in which the moving element does not extend beyond the outer extension of the top face (20) in the plane of the top face of the body element, to an opening position in which the moving element is moved relative to the body element to extend at least partly beyond the outer extension of the top face (20) of the body element (2) in the plane of the body element, wherein the moving element provides, in the opening position, a gripping surface (32) for a user to remove the body element from the dispensing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Clariant Production (France) SAS
    Inventors: Stephane Rault, Jacquy Lebon
  • Patent number: 8657136
    Abstract: Child-resistant bulk dose dispensing packaging unit, and a method for opening the packaging unit, including a container and a lid engaged with the container. The container includes a reservoir, an aperture at a top end of the reservoir, and a protrusion extending from a surface of the container. The lid engages with the container and slides between a closed position and an open position. The lid includes a top wall, a side wall extending down from an outer edge of the top wall, and a post configured to engage the protrusion at a first position when the lid is closed so as to keep the lid closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Wyeth LLC
    Inventors: Ari Tao Adler, Robert John McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 8534487
    Abstract: A battery cover assembly (100) includes a housing (10), a button assembly (20), a driving assembly (30), and a back cover (40). The button assembly includes a button portion (21) and a first latching portion (23). The back cover has a second latching portion (451). The driving assembly is configured for driving the back cover along a second axis. The button assembly is mounted on the housing and is movable along a first axis. The back cover covers the housing and is movable along the second axis. The first latching portion engages with the second latching portion in order to lock it to the back cover. When the button portion is pressed to move along the first axis, the second latching portion disengages from the first latching portion, and the back cover is moved along the second axis, under the force of the driving assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Jin-Jiang Luo, Tai-Jun Liu, Gang Yang, Jun Wang, Peng-Jin Ge, Hsiao-Hua Tu
  • Patent number: 8490835
    Abstract: A container cover assembly that has at least two states. In the first, closed state, the removal of the contents of the container through the opening of the container is prevented. In the second, open state, the removal of the contents of the container through the opening of the container is possible. The cover assembly comprises a mechanism for preventing the transfer of the cover assembly from the first state to the second state, unless at least a predetermined number of shaking motions is applied to the container and cover assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Apus Innovation Ltd
    Inventors: Tal Benyamin, Eran Aharon Medina, Asaf Galili
  • Publication number: 20130161345
    Abstract: The packaging includes a container provided with an opening at the top and bounding a housing designed to receive the product, a lid designed to close the opening of the container and a deformable membrane borne by the lid to ensure the leak-tightness of the housing when the lid is in a closed position. The deformable membrane includes a generally flexible central wall surrounded by a generally rigid annular rim which is urged in the axial direction of closure by spring element bearing on a base of the lid such that the annular rim bears in a leak-tight manner on an annular bearing surrounding the opening of the container when the lid is in the closed position and the central wall may be deformed as a result of the differences in pressure prevailing on either side of the deformable membrane. The packaging may be used in particular for cosmetic preparations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: AXILONE PLASTIQUE
    Inventor: AXILONE PLASTIQUE
  • Patent number: 8360258
    Abstract: A beverage container closure or lid that is adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is selectively couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be selectively opened by a user by the user pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the user releases the button. Thus, a user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Sean Gilbert, Randy Sims
  • Patent number: 8336723
    Abstract: A stopper which engages a neck of a container. The stopper includes a circular bottom section and a head section which rises above the container and encompasses a slide. The rim of the head section has a maximum diameter that does not exceed the external diameter of the opening of the container. The slide can be pushed against the force of a spring device in one direction and, when released, returns to its retracted initial position as a result of the spring force. Opposing sides of the slide each end in circumferential sections. A first one of the circumferential sections forming an outer surface for receiving a first applied force for advancing the slide and causing the second one of the circumferential sections to protrude from the stopper. The second one of the circumferential sections receiving a second different applied force to remove the stopper from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Gaplast GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Kneer, Frank Janssen
  • Patent number: 8333281
    Abstract: A medication cassette uses a slidable core having a series of open top medication receiving cells extending in a length thereof. The core slides in an outer sleeve and includes a releasable locking arrangement for maintaining the core in a lock position with the sleeve closing the cells and movable to a release position allowing the core to slide relative to the sleeve. The release position allows the cells to be progressively exposed beyond the sleeve to allow medication to be removed. Both the slidable core and the sleeve are preferably made of a plastic material. The core is preferably a single component made by injection molding and the sleeve is preferably made as an extruded component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Leon Saltsov
  • Patent number: 8302799
    Abstract: A container for installation in a vehicle has a housing and a lid mounted pivotably on the housing and connected operatively via a gear to a spring device prestressing the lid in an opening direction and supported on the housing. A cardiod control moves and locks the lid. It is in this case important that the cardiod of the cardiod control is disposed continuously on an outer circumference of a shaft having the spring device and co-operates with a movable pin arranged on the housing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Martin Kayser
  • Patent number: 8235234
    Abstract: The stopper (2) engages with a ring-shaped neck in a press fit in a container (1) and has a circular bottom section which seals the container opening, and a head section which rises above the container and encompasses a slide (3) that extends through the center of the head section, the rim of the head section having a maximum diameter that does not exceed the external diameter of the container opening. The stopper is characterized in that the slide can be pushed against the force of a spring device in one direction over the rim of the container and, when released, returns to its retracted initial position as a result of the spring resistance. The stopper cannot be removed from the container by small children and is therefore considered childproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Gaplast GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Kneer, Frank Janssen
  • Patent number: 8181802
    Abstract: A closure device includes a base (1) and a top (23). The base (1) has an aperture (13) and the top (23) has an aperture (27). The top (23) is movable laterally relative to the base (1) between a first position in which the aperture (13) of the base and the aperture (27) of the top are not in alignment and a second position in which the apertures are in alignment. Biasing spring (22, 43) is provided with in the top so as to extend laterally between the base and the top with a free end of the biasing spring urging the top towards the first position in which the apertures (13, 27) are not in alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Kul Bhushan Kaushal
  • Patent number: 8127962
    Abstract: A lid body is constituted so as to enable to selectively take a lid closing preparation position wherein the lid body is moved forward to a housing frontward side with an approximately horizontal condition and projects to a housing front, a lid closed position closing an opening portion of a housing with an approximately vertical condition, and a lid open position wherein the lid body is moved to a housing backward side with an approximately horizontal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Kogami
  • Publication number: 20110100993
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism comprises a sliding plate, a main plate, a first slide enabling member and a biasing member. The sliding plate has two angled portions. The main plate has two side walls. The first slide enabling member is coupling the angled portions of the sliding plate to the side walls of the main plate such that the sliding plate is slid relative to the main plate from a closed position or to retract from an open position. The first slide enabling member comprises a set of first roller assembly and a set of first tracks that engage the first roller assembly, when the sliding plate slide relative to the main plate, the first roller assembly are rotated and slid relative to the first tracks. The biasing member biases the sliding plate to slide to the open position when the sliding plate crosses an intermediate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: KE-LONG WU, CHIA-HUA CHEN
  • Publication number: 20100102060
    Abstract: A lid for controlled drinking from a drinking container having a mouth includes a central portion defining an edge. The lid includes a linear actuator having an outer portion extending beyond the edge and a inner portion extending within the edge. The lid further includes a gate valve having a pivot positioned proximate a center of the central portion, about which the gate valve can pivot between a closed position wherein the gate valve essentially occludes an opening defined in the central portion, and an open position wherein the gate valve does not essentially occlude the opening. The gate valve is engaged with the linear actuator and responsive to motion thereof to move the gate valve between the closed and open positions. A biasing mechanism biases the gate valve towards the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Everett L. Ruse, JR.
  • Patent number: 7654406
    Abstract: A sliding cover includes an outside plate, a structural member fixed to the rear face of the outside plate, a movable holding member disposed between the outside plate and the structural member, and a toggle disposed between the holding member and the outside plate or the structural member. The holding member includes two parallel racks and guiding portions disposed at both end portions and extending in the same direction as the racks. The holding member includes a holding plate; an even number of pinions meshed with each other and supported by the holding plate so as to be rotatable; and guiding components supported by the holding plate. The pinions, disposed between the guiding components, are meshed with the racks, and the guiding components are engaged with the guiding portions so as to be slidable. The biasing direction in which the toggle biases the holding member is reversed substantially at the midpoint of the movable range of the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michinobu Yanagisawa, Hirokuni Miyai, Takuya Nakajyou, Hiroki Ueno
  • Patent number: 7648375
    Abstract: An electrical socket safety device is disclosed which comprises a base plate for an electrical receptacle exposing multiple electrical sockets thereon, a sliding plate slidably engaging the base plate for covering the electrical sockets, a spring urged to protrude through a slot in the base plate, a concave space on the sliding plate for accommodating the protruding spring, the concave space forcing a first slope on the spring to depress the same into the slot when the sliding plate sliding in one direction, the concave space forcing a second slope of the spring to depress the same into the slot when the sliding plate sliding in an opposite direction, wherein the engagement of the concave space and the spring holds the sliding plate in a predetermined position, and the disengagement of the concave space and the spring requires a predetermined amount of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Peigen Jiang
  • Patent number: 7370773
    Abstract: The invention features a child resistant, moveable closure member and container device and an overcap and container device. The overcap has opposed end walls and opposed sidewalls, with at least one leading locking pin and at least one trailing locking pin in at least one of said sidewalls. The inner closure may have at least one guiding bar, which extends downwardly from its lower surface, that is compatible in shape with an opening slot that may be in at least one of the sidewalls along the upper body of the container. The container further has a fixed cover portion facing the inner closure with a dispensing opening therethrough. At least one of the container sidewalls may have a closing notch, a stopping notch distal to the closing notch, and an opening notch therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Toth, Javier Verdura, Craig Pirie, Daniel Peter Sterling, Erik Joseph Moses, Peter Michaelian, Richard A. Gross, Dieter F. Lay, Roger Rinker, Kristin Recchiuti, Leonard Wojnarowicz, Jr., John Spano
  • Patent number: 7077468
    Abstract: A cover is supported on a support, particularly a cover that is arranged pivotably on a support. The cover is characterised by a support member and a covering, that may be moved towards one another in a first spatial direction and are positively engaged with one another in the other spatial directions, wherein the support member and the covering may be arrested with respect to one another in at least one shifted position by a force that is exerted in the direction of one of the other two spatial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Seeber AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Maierholzner
  • Patent number: 6976577
    Abstract: In accordance the present invention a package assembly 10 for the storage and distribution of a plurality of mints 14 is provided comprising a bottom container 12 for the storage of the plurality of mints 14, the bottom container 12 comprising a bottom container base 16 and a plurality of bottom container sidewalls 18. The package assembly 10 also includes an upper cover 24 including an upper cover top surface 36. The upper cover 24 is mountable to the bottom container 12. An arched longitudinal detent 38 is formed in the upper cover 24. The arched longitudinal detent 38 is comprised of a detent surface 40 having a detent width 42, a detent length 44 and a detent depth 46. A delivery orifice 54 is formed through a portion of the arched longitudinal detent 38 and has an orifice width 56 and an orifice length 58. The orifice width 56 and the orifice length 58 are sized to allow one of the plurality of mints 14 to pass through the delivery orifice 54.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Devine
  • Patent number: 6883679
    Abstract: A closure for an opening through a partition includes a flange having first and second surfaces and a first extension on a first edge, the flange having a perimeter greater than the opening perimeter. A barrier protrudes from the first surface of the flange and is surrounded by a wall having an outside surface perimeter approximating the opening perimeter. A spring member has a proximal end coupled to a second edge of the barrier and a distal end overlying a portion of the flange first surface including the first extension. The spring distal end has a contact portion confronting the first extension and a knob for manipulating the closure toward the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: L. L. Culmat L.P.
    Inventor: Larry Cullen Underwood
  • Publication number: 20040118851
    Abstract: A receptacle includes a box member having an opening, a guide rail extending along the opening, a flexible sliding lid sliding in the guide rail, a housing portion provided at an end of the box member for storing the sliding lid, and a drive device provided at the end of the housing portion for opening or closing the sliding lid. When the sliding lid is opened or closed, the sliding lid is pulled in a traveling direction of the sliding lid, and the sliding lid can be opened smoothly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Ken Shinomiya
  • Patent number: 6648158
    Abstract: A self-closing cap for a bottle that includes a fixed portion that engages the neck of the bottle, a movable portion that is movably attached to the fixed portion, and apparatus that movably attaches the movable portion to the fixed portion. The apparatus includes a pair of resilient bands that engage in an aligned pair of throughbores in a pair of tabs of the fixed portion and in a pair of tabs in the movable portion so as to allow the movable portion to return to the closed position thereof when the movable portion is moved to the open position thereof and released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin Q. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6109418
    Abstract: An electronic parking meter mechanism that can be dis-assembled and re-assembled by parking authority personnel without the need for tooling. This electronic parking meter mechanism is compatible with any conventional parking meter housing, thereby allowing the device to replace either a mechanical parking meter mechanism or other electronic parking meter mechanisms. In addition, a rugged and secure vehicle detector unit can be electrically coupled to this electronic parking meter mechanism for providing vehicle detection information to the electronic parking meter, thereby allowing the meter to, among other things, reset any unused parking time, while being able to reliably detect the presence or absence of a vehicle in the corresponding parking space. Furthermore, this electronic parking meter utilizes unique and universal symbology for indicating a number of important parking space/meter conditions to both the parking authority personnel, as well as to patrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Intelligent Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent G. Yost
  • Patent number: 5885529
    Abstract: An improved automated immunoassay analyzer including a high throughput automated immunoassay system which can perform high volume testing on a broad range of analytes while selecting from among a diverse set of immunoassays for any given sample. The immunoanalyzer has the capacity to perform a wide range of different types of immunoassays by facile storage and automated combination aboard the instrument among a wide variety of different types of reagents and heterogenous immunoassay beads stored on-board the instrument. The automated design allows reduced user interface (e.g., tests are performed automatically from computer input) including the ability to order, perform and reassay tests reflexively based on test results without operator intervention. Further, the inventive analyzer is not sample tube specific; that is, an instrument that can accept sample tube sizes within a broad size range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: DPC Cirrus, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Babson, Thomas Palmieri, Anthony P. Montalbano, Chris P. Montalbano, Greg A. Montalbano, Eric C. Fleischer
  • Patent number: 5884799
    Abstract: A container for an installation into the interior of a vehicle, having a box with a box opening situated on top and a closing part covering it. For a compact construction of the container and a simplified installation mounting, the closing part comprises a guide plate, which rests inside the box opening and covers it partially, and a sliding lid which can be displaced in parallel thereto. On its transverse edge, which extends transversely to the sliding direction of the sliding lid, the guide plate is swivellably held on the upper edge of the box and is prestressed by a spring in a swivelling direction pointing away from the box bottom. The sliding lid is, on one side, guided in the sliding direction and with play in each transverse direction thereto on the guide plate and, on the other side, is guided via a connecting link guide on the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jurgen Korber, Tilo Volkmann, Jurgen Chaloupka
  • Patent number: 5772067
    Abstract: A cap system for use with a beverage container that has automatic opening and closing capability is provided. A buoyant sliding cover is maintained partially within a casing or housing device in the cap and partially within the container itself. When the container is tilted to a drinking position, buoyancy forces act on the cover and force it to slide, thereby exposing an opening in the cap and allowing for the consumption of the liquid. When the container is returned to an upright, non-drinking position, a spring mechanism, built into the casing and attached to the sliding cover, acts to force the cover to a closed position, thereby covering the opening in the cap and preserving the integrity of the liquid inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Herbert Morewitz, II
  • Patent number: 5752757
    Abstract: A card receptor for use in a satellite broadcasting tuner includes a housing having a case slot therethrough, a door mounted to the housing and slidable up and down for opening and closing the case slot, a card case for receiving and keeping a card therein, the card case slidable between an inside position and an outside position of the housing through the case slot, a case guider fixedly mounted on an inner part of the housing, corresponding to the case slot, in order to guide the sliding movement of the card case, a coil spring for elastically connecting the card case with the door, one end thereof being retained with a hook seat of the door and a case driving gears for moving the card case toward the outside position thereof to push the card case out of the housing, and for moving the card case toward the inside position thereof, in response to the up and the down movements of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Hwan Choi
  • Patent number: 5706943
    Abstract: A container includes a cover secured on a base for receiving an insert. The base has a block formed in the real side portion for receiving a spring and a button. The spring includes a protrusion extended inward of the base for engaging with the insert and for retaining the insert in the base. The insert may be moved outward of the base when the button is depressed inward of the cover such that the container may be easily operated with only one hand. The button can be prevented from being depressed inward of the cover inadvertently. The button includes a knob for depression the button when a number of containers are stacked with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Jack Yu
  • Patent number: 5632399
    Abstract: Self-sealing reagent container, and a system of same on a carousel, related to a vessel having a plurality of separate compartments, each compartment having an opening in an upper surface of the vessel, with a hinged lid member attached to said vessel having spring-like biasing to automatically reseal openings of the vessel after reagent extraction. The lid has a first arm that is normally biased such that its caps cover the compartment openings, but external force can be applied to said first arm to permit the first arm to be translated so as to displace the caps from covering the compartment openings whereby reagent in the compartments can be accessed and withdrawn. Once the reagent extraction is completed and the compartment opening cleared of the extraction device, the normal biasing acting on the first arm of the lid causes it to move back to reseal the caps over the compartment openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: DPC Cirrus Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Palmieri, Arthur L. Babson
  • Patent number: 5542575
    Abstract: The invention disclosed is a sealed fluent material container having a chamber with an opening provided with a manually operable primary closure mechanism and a secondary closure mechanism that may be operated either manually or automatically. Manual removal of the primary closure mechanism from the chamber opening allows the secondary closure mechanism to extend a laterally moveable tongue from a horizontal guide recess on the top of the container to a normally closed position covering the opening. An engagable tab on the secondary closure permits the retraction of the moveable tongue against the biasing means to expose the chamber opening. The container has particular utility for use in automated chemical dispensers, analyzers and related equipment for the analysis and testing of blood, physiological fluids and other biological samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Dade Interantional Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Stark, Ernest H. Pfadenhauer
  • Patent number: 5454932
    Abstract: A bottom open display case for jacketed cassettes wherein the jacket is retained in the display case which itself is of transparent plastics material. A base is attached to the bottom end of the display case and is slidable laterally from a closed position to an open position where an opening in the base aligns itself with the cassette in the display case allowing the cassette to be removed from the display case. A flexible tab on an end wall of the display case acts as a spring to return the base to its initial closed position where it is out of alignment with the cassette in the display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Trimark Molded Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Tardif, Eric Benoit, Yvan LaPorte, Bertrand Racine, Alain Cayouette
  • Patent number: 5409107
    Abstract: A computer mouse holder including a pocket which attaches to a component of a computer system by a coacting cohesive fastener and a spring loaded closure for the purpose of retaining the computer mouse within the pocket. An alternate embodiment comprises a computer mouse pocket and a detachable computer mouse cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: Patricia Browne
  • Patent number: 5402095
    Abstract: The invention proposes a portable case for an electronic smart card (C), comprising, on one of its main faces, electrical contact bands connected to an integrated circuit containing the card memory, of the type in which provision is made for a compartment which receives the card (C) and connection means (72) for connecting the contact bands to an exploitation electronic circuit providing at least a function of reading the data contained in the card, characterized in that it comprises a casing (10, 12, 14) equipped with a window (22) permitting the insertion of the card (C), an electrical connector (72) whose electrical contact elements (73) interact with the said contact bands when the card is in the position of exploitation of the data, a device for emitting and receiving (112, 114) data towards and from an information-processing station, and a switch (120) for detecting the placing of the card (C) in an exploitation position in the casing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignees: ITT Composants et Instruments, Gemplus Electronics
    Inventor: Alain Janniere
  • Patent number: 5381897
    Abstract: A device for storing magnetic tape cassettes has a housing, a slider movable into the housing to a storage position and provided with locking members engageable with tape reel hubs of a compact cassette stored in the device, and a spring wire acting on the pivotally mounted locking members and holding them below a supporting surface of the slider member when the latter is located outside of the housing, and when the slider member is moved into the housing a control edge of the housing presses the spring wire to transfer torque to the locking members so as to displace them away from the supporting surface and pivot them into the tape reel hubs of the compact cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: fischerwerke, Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Torsten Bieck, Wolfgang Nehl
  • Patent number: 5279413
    Abstract: The container for flat articles, especially coins, which is part of a storage system for magnetic tape cassettes, in a motor vehicle, comprises a housing open on one side, a slider member insertable in the open side of the housing against a spring force and a locking device for locking the slider member in an inserted position. To provide a particularly reliable way of holding coins of different sizes so that they do not rattle when the container is moved, the slider member has a movable compartment floor which, as the slider member is pushed into the housing, is pressed by spring elements underlying it against an upper housing wall. The upper housing wall can be provided with foam strips and the compartment floor can be corrugated and provided with a fleece to better hold coins without rattling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Nehl, Karl-Hans Sackmann
  • Patent number: 5275291
    Abstract: A child-resistant, elderly friendly dispensing container comprises a housing having an opening in its top wall and a drawer which slideably fits in the housing. The drawer has a front cavity section and a rear latch section. The latch section includes a horizontally disposed resilient panel formed with an upward button which, when the drawer is closed, extends up through the opening in the top wall of the housing and forms an automatic latch, holding the drawer closed. In order to open the drawer, the button must be depressed and, at the same time, the drawer must be pulled out from the housing. The top of the housing is formed, adjacent the opening for the button, with a relief zone into which the button moves when the drawer is in dispensing position and blocks further opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Tredegar Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Larry C. Sledge
  • Patent number: 5249102
    Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a portable sound reproducing device, a portable sound recording/reproducing device, a portable radio receiver or a portable video tape recorder, comprising a case containing an electronic circuit assembly and having a front panel, a plurality of operating buttons for operating control switches for controlling the electronic circuit assembly, supported on the front panel is provided with a sliding cover assembly slidably provided on the front panel and capable of being shifted between a first position to cover the operating buttons and a second position to expose the operating buttons. The sliding cover assembly is retained at the first position by a retaining mechanism to prevent the accidental operation of the operating buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ogawa, Kouzou Takahashi, Hitoshi Isoda, Toshio Arai
  • Patent number: 5199597
    Abstract: Disclosed is a removable self-closing lid for covering a top of a container, wherein the container has an outer wall surface and a top with an opening for accessing into the container. The lid includes a cap, a pressure fitting and sealing perimeter lip for securing the cap over the container top, and a pouring aperture. Further included in the lid is an automatic leveraging mechanism which is activated by a user exerting pressure on a trigger, thereby opening the pouring aperture. The pouring aperture is automatically sealed when the leveraging means is deactivated by the user releasing the pressure on the trigger. Incorporated into the trigger is a leverage ridge that provides a fulcrum that slides over the container's outer wall surface during activation and deactivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: William C. Gladish
  • 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: 5046613
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a box for gathering dangerous products or small objects. The box of the invention is formed of a lid (1) and a receptacle (2); the lid is provided on its upper face with a closure consisting of a slide (4) and a pair of slideways (5) and is of frusto-pyramidal shape; the lid and the receptacle are provided along their open edge with irreversible locking means which prevent their separation once they have been assembled. Application to gathering refuse, particularly in hospitals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Centre Specialities Pharmaceuticals
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Baudry, Joelle Bourg
  • Patent number: 4995871
    Abstract: Here is disclosed a needle detacher for syringe adapted to detach a needle after use for injection or blood-collecting from the associated syringe cylinder for easy and safe disposal, comprising a container main body, a lid assemble consisting of inner and outer lids, a needle chute opening formed through the outer lid, and a needle trap opening defined by the inner and outer lids so that a syringe cylinder or the outer lid may be forcibly rotated with the needle neck being held in the needle trap opening to detach the needle from the syringe cylinder and then the needle may be received through the needle chute opening into the container main body, wherein the needle chute opening is adapted to be closed by the inner lid which is slidable with respect to the outer lid so that the needle neck can be held by the inner lid cooperating with the outer lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Snow Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Sasaki, Aguri Tanaka, Hiroyuki Inagaki, Tatsuo Suzuki, Kenji Asakura
  • Patent number: 4925043
    Abstract: A closure device for a container provided with an aperture, comprising a slider carrying a stopper and slidable within guides provided on the container, the stopper and/or the aperture being elastically deformable such that by using a suitable trajectory for the slider, snap-closure of the container is obtained by virtue of the elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: R. P. Denis S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pierre F. Dinand