Sections Hinged Together Patents (Class 220/4.22)
  • Patent number: 6675959
    Abstract: A packaging case includes an upper casing, a lower casing, and a hinge device for linking the upper casing with the lower casing. The hinge device includes a first block and a second block for linking with the first block. A latching post is formed on the first block. The second block forms a plurality of engaging plate. Each engaging plate defines a slot through a lower edge thereof for latching with the latching post. Each slot has a receiving hole for receiving the latching post and a guiding hole for guiding the latching post. The guiding hole is generally wider toward the lower edge of each engaging plate. The narrowest portion of the guiding hole is slightly narrower than the latching post to firmly retain the latching post in the receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Herman Chiang
  • Publication number: 20030168451
    Abstract: Methods of making one-piece lidded containers are described along with containers made by such methods. In one embodiment, the method entails providing a first length of thermoplastic material and a second length of thermoplastic material where a portion of the two lengths of thermoplastic material are brought into an overlapping or abutting orientation to provide a juncture of thermoplastic material. The juncture of thermoplastic material is subsequently secured. The one-piece lidded container is completed by forming a first container and a corresponding lid on the first and second lengths of thermoplastic material. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy Bohrer
  • Patent number: 6592000
    Abstract: A container having a base and a removable lid. Latches are attached to the lid for securing the lid to the base. Each latch includes a guide part secured to the lid and a slide part guided by the guide part between a closed position engaging the base and an open position spaced from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Paragon Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Owens, Thomas J. Bussell
  • Publication number: 20030121917
    Abstract: The container assembly is adapted for high speed packaging of perishable items. The container is formed with ribbed walls to add rigidity to the structure. The reinforcing ribs are perforated to allow air to circulate through the packaged goods. The ribs are shaped to maintain the perforations open during stacking and shipping. The mouth of the container has a peripheral flange. The flange has integral hinged closures for securing a separate top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Frank A. Fore, Robert S. Fore
  • Patent number: 6574834
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a new manufacturing solution for a plastic hinge which is particularly advantageous for manufacturing rigid cases, especially glasses cases, by giving it an absolutely original appearance and by using an absolutely new technique through which a snap opening and closing of the case is obtained, even with the type of plastic hinge which is applied to any type of rigid half-shells. The main characterizing feature of the present invention is to provide for the manufacturing of a single plastic element 10 to join the two half-shells (A, B) of a case, said element 10 consisting of two surfaces to be fixed to the edges of the half-shells (A, B) and joined each other longitudinally by an intermediate U-shaped surface 13 having a minimum thickness suitable for giving it the necessary flexibility, said surfaces being further hooked together by one or more springs aiming to flex said surfaces to make the half-shells (A, B) snapping in the opening or in the closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Giorgio Fedon & Figli S.p.A.
    Inventor: Callisto Fedon
  • Patent number: 6575322
    Abstract: A special container is sized and adapted to store windows that are used in a soft top vehicle, such as a Jeep Wrangler® land vehicle. The container stores the windows in a safe and secure manner and can be placed in the vehicle so the removed windows will be accessible in the event they must be replaced. The container includes two openings that accommodate rear seat anchors, such as in a Jeep Wrangler®.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Larry J. Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6572909
    Abstract: A plastic container has a base and a lid hinged together by a hinge. The hinge has a series of relatively thick sections joined together by a series of relatively thin sections. The thin sections are sufficiently thin to be severed upon an initial folding of the hinge. The thick sections are sufficiently thick to remain at least partially intact during the initial folding. The container may be filled with product and closed with the hinge becoming partially severed and weakened and may be later opened with the hinge becoming completely severed to separate the base and the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: De Ster Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Steven Bagwell, W. John Squire
  • Publication number: 20030098313
    Abstract: A case incorporates with a hinge structure including a first joint, which is extended from a rear panel of a case body, including a supporting arm having a front biasing surface and a rear biasing surface and second joint, which is extended from the rear wall of a case cover, has a holding slot to define a closed stopping surface and an opened stopping surface. The supporting arm is shaped and sized to slidably fit into the holding slot. Therefore, the supporting arm is slid outwardly from the holding slot until the rear biasing surface is biased against the closed stopping surface to close the case body with the case cover, and the supporting arm is slid into the holding slot until the front biasing surface is biased against the opened stopping surface to open the case body with the case cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Chun Lung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20030089711
    Abstract: A transformable storage and protection apparatus comprising a top half portion; a bottom half portion; a back portion; first hinge means disposed between the top half portion and the back portion; and second hinge means disposed between the bottom half portion and the back portion, wherein the transformable storage and protection apparatus transforms between (1) a first configuration in which the top half portion, the bottom half portion and the back portion form a closed container; and (2) a second configuration in which the top half portion is pivoted along the first hinge means, and said back portion is pivoted along the second hinge means thereby forming a single planar bottom area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Alan Grattan
  • Publication number: 20030066833
    Abstract: A storage box includes an upper cover integrally connected at a rear edge to a lower cover. The upper and the lower covers are provided along their peripheral edges with a recess and a flange, respectively, that engage with each other when the upper cover is closed onto the lower cover. Upper and lower marginal belts surrounding the recess and the flange, respectively, are provided with projections, so that a gap always exists between the two marginal belts to facilitate easy opening of the upper cover relative to the lower cover. The recess and the flange are provided with tongues that abut on each other to lock the upper cover to the lower cover but allow a fit clearance between the recess and the flange, so that the upper and the lower covers would not become stuck at the recess and the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Hsin Hung Chou
  • Patent number: 6530498
    Abstract: A jewelry case includes a base having a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall; a top cover having a top wall and a peripheral side wall; a first retainer in a slot of a rear wall of the top cover so as not to be visible from an exterior of the case when the case is closed; a second retainer in a slot of a rear wall of the base so as not be visible from an exterior of the case when the case is closed; and a C-clip which is not visible from an exterior of the case when the case is closed and which connects together the first and second retainers to provide a combined pivoting and sliding movement of a rear edge of the top cover on the base during opening and closing of the top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Ovadia
  • Publication number: 20030038142
    Abstract: A storage container, such as a tackle box, with well protected latches and hinges which can be easily repaired if they are damaged. The front latches and rear hinges preferably use inserts which are formed separately from the upper and lower tackle box trays. The rear hinge insert, for example, preferably takes the form of a U-shaped piece of molded plastic with a thinned plastic section in its middle to act as an internal hinge for the insert. The walls of this U-shaped insert are pressure fitted into slots formed into the interior of the upper and lower trays. The front latch insert is preferably formed from an approximately flat piece of plastic which has a bar at an open spaced end and a solid, flanged snap at the other end. Both the bar and the snap for this front insert are received into grooved catches which are formed onto both the upper and lower trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: HYI
    Inventor: Patrick Gee
  • Patent number: 6513196
    Abstract: A hinge is provided for hinging the top cover of an appliance to the remaining cabinet. The hinge body includes an upper end, a lower end, first and second opposite lateral edges, a front face, and a rear face. The hinge body includes one or more appendages protruding outwardly from the front face of the hinge body. The hinge body also includes a hook formed therein and protruding upwardly from the upper edge of the hinge body. The hook is adapted to fit within a hook-receiving opening in the top cover and the appendages of the hinge body are adapted to fit within openings in the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Snowden, Paul A. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20020162842
    Abstract: A display package for a storage container includes a primary and secondary blister package. The primary blister package includes a cutaway portion incorporated thereon allowing a user to rotate a cover of the storage container through the cutaway portion about its hinge. A base of the storage container is retained within the primary blister package thereby precluding the user from withdrawing the whole storage container from the primary blister package. The secondary blister package includes a plurality of tool accessories arranged therein. The secondary blister package is disposed within an extension section of the primary blister package and positioned above the base of the storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: James Pangerc, Gregory Scott Snider, Daniel G. Findle, Jennifer R. Ervin, Timothy B. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6474493
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first part and a second part articulated to the first part. A label is bonded onto at least a portion of the surface of each of the first and second parts. The label has at least one connecting strip capable, when the assembly is being opened and being closed, of occupying an intermediate position in which it intersects a geometric axis about which the assembly is hinged. The label experiences maximum tension and, after passing through the intermediate position by a relative movement of the first and second parts in a first direction, elastically returns the second part to a closed or almost closed position. After passing through the intermediate position in a direction which is the opposite of the first direction, the label elastically returns the second part to an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Frank Lacout
  • Patent number: 6464095
    Abstract: The storage chest of the present invention comprises: a box portion having opposed front and rear walls, a pair of opposed side walls; and a floor attached to the front, rear and side walls to form a storage cavity; and a lid pivotally interconnected with the rear wall. The lid includes: a generally planar top panel; and a front panel merging with and extending generally perpendicularly to the top panel. The front panel includes a recess formed by a horizontally disposed face and a vertically disposed face positioned below and merging with the horizontally disposed face. The top panel and front panel are integrally formed from a unitary member of substantially constant thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Delta Consolidated Industries
    Inventor: Richard A. Samsel
  • Patent number: 6450354
    Abstract: A tool box includes two upper covers each having an upper flange provided an upper clasp and a lower flange provided with a lower clasp which are configured to engage firmly with an upper and lower recesses of the base so as to keep the upper covers firmly engaged with the base, the upper cover being formed with a first groove at the upper flange and a second groove at the lower flange, the upper covers being provided with two parallel tracks a base formed with an upper flange and a lower flange respectively having two first grooves and two second grooves, the base being formed with two parallel tracks, two connecting members for joining together the upper covers with the base, the two connecting members having two parallel tracks, and two detachable containers having an upper raised edge and a lower raised edge configured and dimensioned to be sidably engaged with the grooves of the upper covers and the grooves of the base, whereby the two detachable containers can slide on a top of the base thereby increasi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: James Chien
  • Publication number: 20020125151
    Abstract: The storage chest of the present invention comprises: a box portion having opposed front and rear walls, a pair of opposed side walls; and a floor attached to the front, rear and side walls to form a storage cavity; and a lid pivotally interconnected with the rear wall. The lid includes: a generally planar top panel; and a front panel merging with and extending generally perpendicularly to the top panel. The front panel includes a recess formed by a horizontally disposed face and a vertically disposed face positioned below and merging with the horizontally disposed face. The top panel and front panel are integrally formed from a unitary member of substantially constant thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Richard A. Samsel
  • Patent number: 6431059
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for baking spherical food products. It includes a main support, made of material capable of sustaining a temperature of at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which has an outer perimeter for nesting atop a pan or its equivalent, e.g., a cake pan, brownie pan, cookie tin, a pot, a frying pan, or even a piece of aluminum foil folded on its edges to act like a pan. The primary purpose of the pan is to receive and hold grease and drippings from the food products being cooked in the present invention devices. The main support of the present invention device includes a plurality of semispherical recesses, each having a predetermined outer radius, and being located on the main support, typically in an orderly fashion, and having a plurality of drainage holes located thereon. The invention may be formed of a high temperature tolerant material such as metal, ceramic and glass, and may also have a non-stick coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Sandra L. Castellani
  • Patent number: 6415915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage device that functions as both an eyeglass case and an eyeglass holder. It comprises a first container member and second container member that are pivotably joined together to form a housing in a closed position or a pair of open housings when pivoted to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Morris Grossman
  • Patent number: 6415924
    Abstract: A tool box includes a case body and two side plates. The case body includes base and cover parts. The lateral sides of the base and cover parts have peripheral flanges that extend along the peripheries of the lateral sides to confine cavity halves. The peripheral flanges of the base part have opposite sides formed with first engagement portions. Each of the side plates has a lower portion formed with a second engagement portion that engages releasably a corresponding one of the first engagement portions. The side plates further have outer surfaces adapted to be provided with marks. The lower and upper portions of the side plates are retained in respective cavity halves of the base and cover parts. Stop members project from the peripheral flanges adjacent to the end faces outwardly of the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Stanely Chiro International Ltd.
    Inventor: Wesley Lee
  • Patent number: 6386382
    Abstract: A container for storage of items during watersports is described, having a base (10) affixed to the watersports equipment such as a surfboard or diver's gas tank and a body forming a waterproof enclosure detachably secured to the base. The top cover (14) of the body has tabs (44) which are retained under projections (22) of the base such that the bottom tray (12) and top cover of the body cannot be unsealed without disengaging the body from the base. The top surface (40) of the cover forms a ramp engageable by the foot of the surf rider and may have grip material attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Sunbum Pty Limited
    Inventor: William Thomas McCausland
  • Patent number: 6378719
    Abstract: A liquid-container housing for receiving, supporting, protecting, and securing a liquid container, which has a spigot adapted to allow a user access to the liquid within the container. The housing is adapted to be fixedly mounted upon a vertically extending support structure and includes a base and a lid having a double-wall construction. The base and lid combine to define four side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall and expose the spigot for access by the user to the liquid in the container. At least one of the group including the four side walls and the top wall is rotatable about an axis defined by a hinge formed on the housing to define a closable opening to the housing such that the housing is adapted to receive, support, protect, and secure the liquid container and facilitate the insertion and removal of the liquid container. A boss depends from the base and is adapted to accommodate the support structure so as to fixedly mount the housing to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: David M. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6367642
    Abstract: A document retaining system for retaining documents in a protected manner while allowing easy and convenient access to the documents. The inventive device includes a base having a pair of opposing slots, and a cover having a pair of opposing pins that are slidably positioned within the slots. The cover is formed to removably fit within the interior cavity of the base and for removably covering the interior cavity of the base. Various documents may be stored and utilized within the base and the cover along with various auxiliary devices such as clamps and partition members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Saunders Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Kambouris, Gene A. Barker
  • Patent number: 6338406
    Abstract: A brush protection device for preventing the bristles from becoming stiff and hard after each use. The brush protection device includes a first cover member having a main wall, a front end, and a back end; and also includes a second cover member having a main wall, a front end, and a back end which is pivotally attached to the back end of the first cover member; and further includes a hinge assembly including first bracket members being securely attached at the back end of the first cover member and also including second bracket members being securely attached at the back end of the second cover member; and also includes a latching assembly for latching the first and second cover members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Robert R. Zagar
  • Publication number: 20020003096
    Abstract: A waterproof fly fishing fly box is disclosed including a central base member, a top cover and a bottom cover. The top and bottom covers affix to the central base member so that, when closed, the top cover and central base member define a first internal environment therebetween. Similarly, when the bottom cover is closed, the bottom cover and central base member define a second internal environment. The fly fishing fly box further includes a first and second closed cell foam layers affixed to and covering substantially all of a top surface and bottom surface, respectively, of the central base member. The first and second foam layers serve to fix the flies within the first and second internal environments, and to ensure a tight seal of the first and second internal environments against water from the surrounding environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: Todd Blake
  • Patent number: 6325239
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container comprising: (a) a semi-enclosed container body including a tubular structure having two open ends and a bottom panel enclosing one end of the container body, the other end of the tubular structure opposite from the bottom panel forming a substantially continuous outwardly-extending peripheral flange; (b) a lid for selectively converting the semi-enclosed container to a closed container; and (c) a closure for sealing the lid to the container body, the closure comprising a mechanical interlocking seal and a slideable mechanical closure for sealing the mechanical interlocking seal. The container is preferably stackable and self-supporting, and the mechanical interlocking seal includes at least one interlocking bead and groove pair located on the lid and flange. The container may also be collapsible via folding of the tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Catherine Jean Randall, Matthew Todd Hupp, Jennifer Kay Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 6311859
    Abstract: A refuse and recycling receptacle assembly is constructed of two half round slatted receptacles hingedly secured to an intermediate stand upon which plastic garbage bags and the like can be attached. When it is wished to empty the plastic containers, the slatted receptacles can be pivoted out of the way allowing convenient access to the actual containers, which are protected at other times by the slatted half round receptacles which serve as covers for the actual trash receiving containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Philip C. Haas
  • Patent number: 6283321
    Abstract: A waste receptacle comprises two hinged sectional parts and a bag compartment at the bottom portion of the sectional parts to receive and to provide access to a roll of bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Zag Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Yshai Meshorer
  • Patent number: 6269966
    Abstract: Projections and mating recesses for a hinge interconnecting a blow-molded double-walled container and lid are formed to be snap fit together while the recesses are warm from molding. The hinge projections and recesses are blow molded without forming any opening through a hinge wall into an interwall space. After the hinge projections and recesses are assembled, interwall spaces of the body and lid are each filled with a pourable insulation material that sets to make the assembled hinge strong and durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: John D. Brush & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: R. David Pallo, Roland M. Avery, Jr., James E. Masseth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6209739
    Abstract: The storage chest of the present invention comprises: a box portion having opposed front and rear walls, a pair of opposed side walls; and a floor attached to the front, rear and side walls to form a storage cavity; and a lid pivotally interconnected with the rear wall. The lid includes: a generally planar top panel; and a front panel merging with and extending generally perpendicularly to the top panel. The front panel includes a recess formed by a horizontally disposed face and a vertically disposed face positioned below and merging with the horizontally disposed face. The top panel and front panel are integrally formed from a unitary member of substantially constant thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Delta Consolidated Industries
    Inventor: Richard A. Samsel
  • Patent number: 6196405
    Abstract: A personal organizer case system for protecting a personal organizer without interfering with the user's day-to-day operation of the personal organizer. The inventive device includes a base having a pair of hinge pins, and a cover having a pair of opposing slots that slidably receive the pair of hinge pins. The base is formed to snugly retain a personal organizer. The cover is opened and closed upon the base by the hinge pins. When opened, the cover slides underneath and about the base to provide a compact holding unit for allowing uninterrupted usage of the personal organizer. The base and cover are preferably constructed of titanium for reducing the overall weight and increasing the overall strength of the invention. Wall padding and plate padding is utilized within the base to cushion any movement to the personal organizer. The cover preferably includes a pair of corner pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Rhinoskin, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kambouris
  • Patent number: 6186349
    Abstract: A case composed of at least two shells. In a preferred embodiment, two semi-cylindrical shells are provided. The shells are coupled for relative rotation about an axis and are sized so that each shell segment nests within an adjacent shell. The shells are rotatable between a closed position, in which the shells cooperate to define an enclosed compartment, and an open position, in which said shells nest inside one another to provide access to the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Bee Incorporated
    Inventor: David Tempongko
  • Patent number: 6186350
    Abstract: A box comprises two box elements attached together at a contact surface and connected together in a releasable manner in each of two opposite assembly areas. Each box element includes in each assembly area at least one clipping member which hooks onto a complementary clipping member in corresponding relationship to it on the other box element and at least one journal member which cooperates pivot fashion with a complementary journal member in corresponding relationship to it on the other box element. At least the clipping member of at least one of the box elements is carried by an elastically deformable arm. Applications include boxes for light fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventors: Emmanuel Barrier, Jean-Jacques Domingues
  • Patent number: 6182848
    Abstract: A luminaire housing includes a frame having a securing member, a door panel movable between open and closed positions relative to the frame, and a hinge member. The hinge member pivotally connects the door panel and the securing member and includes a fixed end portion, a first angled ramp portion, a second angled ramp portion, and a centering portion. The fixed end portion is attached to the door panel and the first angled ramp portion extends from it. The fixed end portion includes an open hinge surface. The second angled ramp portion extends from the first angled portion and the centering end portion extends from the second angled ramp portion, forming a closed hinge surface between them. The open hinge surface of the first hinge member is in contact with the securing member of the frame when the door panel is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: James P. Wang