Receptacle Or Receptacle Content Protective Device Patents (Class 4/657)
  • Patent number: 11613879
    Abstract: A connector for use with a disposable flexible liner installed in a basin to contact liquid is provided to bridge between an overflow opening provided in the liner and an overflow aperture provided in an upright wall of the basin, so that when liquid containable in an interior volume of the basin exceeds a prescribed height, the liquid is enabled to drain out of the interior volume through the liner at the communicated openings/apertures. A conduit formed by the connector for insertion into the basin to bridge between the communicated openings/apertures is arranged for a friction fit in an overflow throat extending from the overflow aperture defined in the basin. A related method for using a replaceable liner in a basin having an overflow aperture is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Contega Spa Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Ta
  • Patent number: 10119257
    Abstract: Drain chain systems can include a cap connected to a chain with an intermediate segment that is configured to pass between a plug and a surface of a tub or sink. The cap can be connected to a suction cup for attaching the system to the surface of the tub or sink. The intermediate segment is sized and shaped to prevent it from causing any substantial interference with the plug or plug sealing functionality. A ring can also be used, rather than the cap and suction cup, to position a chain within a drain. The ring can be positioned below the plug, so as to not interfere with the plug or plug sealing functionality at all. Small diameter caps and hooks can also be used to secure the chain within a drain, extending down from a drain cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventors: Gifford L. Briggs, Jennifer Briggs
  • Patent number: 9907453
    Abstract: A combination dish drying mat and rack, including a mat and a rack. The mat has a top surface, bottom surface, and a plurality of sides. The rack has a base resting upon at least a portion of the top surface of the mat in an open position. The rack has a plurality of ribs extending upwardly from the base, which form a corresponding plurality of channels, and the plurality of ribs and channels are operatively arranged to hold kitchenware. The rack also has a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from the base and arranged in pairs. Each protrusion of each pair is disposed opposite one another laterally across the base of the rack. The rack also has a plurality of slots recessed within the base that are co-planar and parallel to one another and the plurality of protrusions and slots are operatively arranged to hold kitchenware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Umbra LLC
    Inventor: David Green
  • Patent number: 9126720
    Abstract: The invention disclosed includes various durable containers constructed from sheet materials including a plurality of living hinges. The containers are configured to snap into an assembled position from a relatively flat position by the application of pressure to one or more sidewalls wherein that pressure deforms the one or more sidewalls into a concave position, thereby holding the container into place until the contain is collapsed once again for storage or cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Mandarin Associates Ltd.
    Inventor: Barro de Gast
  • Patent number: 9032567
    Abstract: A sink covering assembly for selectively concealing the contents of a sink includes a screen with a peripheral edge. A plurality of suction cups is coupled to the screen adjacent to the peripheral edge of the screen. Each of the suction cups is configured for engaging a surface adjacent to a sink whereby the screen extends over and covers the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Ann Marie Galgano
  • Patent number: 9015877
    Abstract: A splash guard designed to protect the gap between the back of a sink and the adjoining wall or mirror. The guard has an upper edge and a lower edge. There upper edge is attached to the mirror, preferably through the use of suction cups. The lower edge is provided with a bendable bar which a user can bend—using hand strength—into any desired shape. The bendable bar is bent into a shape which conforms the lower edge of the guard to the posterior sink geometry. The lower edge is then placed immediately behind the posterior sink geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Carla Elizabeth Litwhiler
  • Patent number: 8801926
    Abstract: A colander assembly having a base member and a basket device removeably connectable to the base member. The basket device includes a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and first and second sidewalls forming a basket or storage area, wherein the bottom wall and first and second sidewalls are positionable between a storage position and an extended or use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Todd Housley
  • Patent number: 8603605
    Abstract: A sink mat made of soft, pliable material comprising a set of slits defining flaps in said sink mat enabling said sink mat to fit in a sink smaller than said sink mat and for the flaps to curve against the walls of said sink and overlap and lie flat against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Interdesign, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip C. Dretzka
  • Publication number: 20120167298
    Abstract: A splash guard designed to protect the gap between the back of a sink and the adjoining wall or mirror. The guard has an upper edge and a lower edge. There upper edge is attached to the mirror, preferably through the use of suction cups. The lower edge is provided with a bendable bar which a user can bend—using hand strength—into any desired shape. The bendable bar is bent into a shape which conforms the lower edge of the guard to the posterior sink geometry. The lower edge is then placed immediately behind the posterior sink geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Carla Elizabeth Litwhiler
  • Patent number: 8088468
    Abstract: A protective cover for lining one or more edges of an undermount sink is provided. The protective cover has a means for removably attaching the cover to one or more interior ledges of the countertop adjacent to one or more sides of the sink, and is formed of a pliable material such as vinyl. In one embodiment, the protective cover is shaped to protect the edge of the countertop adjacent to the sink, without means for attachment to the countertop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony Michael Maggio
  • Patent number: 8087108
    Abstract: A sink protector is provided that includes a frame defining a frame opening, and a grate supported by the frame. The grate includes a first grate section and a second grate section, each having a perimeter and a plurality of wires extending across each grate section to provide structure for supporting various items to be deposited in a sink. The grate is sufficiently porous to allow the unobstructed passage of water and food particles therethrough. The grate sections are pivotally connected such that at least one of the grate sections pivots about the other grate section to allow unencumbered access to the sink drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Joy Burns, Sarah Rosenbach, Randall Lewis, Brad Cracchiola
  • Patent number: 7685654
    Abstract: A disposable sanitary protector for sink basins is provided in the form of a generally rectangular cover with two non-parallel low-tack adhesive strips on the underside, one of each strip being on the underside of the cover near the left and right edges. The non-parallel low-tack adhesive strips increase the probability of engaging the rim of sinks with either a curved or linear shape at the sides of the sink. An optional perforated slit is provided to allow a portal for the faucet assembly to protrude. A second differently sized backup slit is provided in the event the first slit tears. The cover is made of fabric, paper, plastic or a like material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Rahman Levi Jones
  • Publication number: 20080263762
    Abstract: A sink protector is provided that includes a frame defining a frame opening, and a grate supported by the frame. The grate includes a first grate section and a second grate section, each having a perimeter and a plurality of wires extending across each grate section to provide structure for supporting various items to be deposited in a sink. The grate is sufficiently porous to allow the unobstructed passage of water and food particles therethrough. The grate sections are pivotally connected such that at least one of the grate sections pivots about the other grate section to allow unencumbered access to the sink drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Joy Burns, Sarah Rosenbach, Randall Lewis, Brad Cracchiola
  • Patent number: 7437779
    Abstract: Fixture guard panels and systems provide protection for fixtures such as tubs and showers. The fixture guard panels may have a variety of configurations such as including an enclosure formed of a flexible material that contains a padding layer. The panel may be placed adjacent the fixture such that the panel protects the fixture from impacts and abrasions. The panel may include individual sheets of material to enclose padding, may include padding without an enclosure, or may include an individual sheet without padding. The individual sheets may be materials such as polyethylene and/or non-skid rubber. For panels with non-skid rubber, the panel may be positioned so that the non-skid rubber portion contacts the fixture and will not skid. Panels may include flexible sheets with adhesive that adheres to the fixture, such as upon vertical fixture surfaces. Additionally, multiple panels may be included as a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Fixture Guards International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kenny, Steve Schneider, Russell W. Rice, Jr., Michael Socha, Richard Todd Spurlin, Stan Hunt, Jack Garbow
  • Publication number: 20080083064
    Abstract: One embodiment of absorbent or repellant material (3) used to protect the wall or mirror from splashes resulting from individuals washing their face, hands, hair, shaving or brushing their teeth. Said embodiment is trapezoidal in shape and comprised of a removable wirelike apparatus (4) located along the bottom edge and contained within a stitched seam wirelike pocket (1) and (2) designed to mold along the back sink edge behind faucet fixtures. At each top corner of said embodiment is a typical eyelet/grommet apparatus (6) comprised of plastic or metal. Said typical eyelet/grommet (6) attaches to mirror onto typical suction cup hook (5) or typical cup hook. Being hung in said manner; said embodiment is conceived with the intent of preventing splashes from occurring, keeping mirror and sink areas cleaner longer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Carla Elizabeth Litwhiler
  • Patent number: 7251844
    Abstract: A shower head with exfoliating members is disclosed. A plurality of exfoliating members are affixed to the spraying part at the predetermined positions via magnetic force or positioning holes and positioning rods. Each of these exfoliating members includes exfoliating beads of different size and hence may have a different level of abrasiveness. Also, these exfoliating members do not affect the water spraying function of the shower head. Hence, a user may use any of these exfoliating members to smoothen and rejuvenate his skin while taking a shower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventors: Ching-Ju Tai, Wei-Hsiang Li
  • Patent number: 7114200
    Abstract: The pool and bathtub cushion is a padded mat for protecting against injuries that are often sustained against pool or bathtub edges. A first end of the pool cushion is secured outside of the pool through the use of fasteners or weights and the second end is secured to the interior vertical pool wall through the use of suction cups. A middle section of the cushion contains a cavity that is filled with a pliable structural support member, such as wire mesh. The cushion is placed over the edge of the swimming pool so that the support member completely encompasses the swimming pool edge. The support member allows the cushion to conform to an edge of any shape. The bathtub cushion is the same, but with suction cups along both ends of the cushion for attachment to the tub wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Layla K. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6338171
    Abstract: A removable protective liner for use with a sink mounted in a counter top. The liner comprises a bottom panel of a size conforming with the bottom of the sink, four upstanding side panels which conform with the upstanding walls of the sink and an adjacent portion of its peripheral flange. The side panels and bottom panel are adapted to conform with the configuration of the sink so that the liner completely covers the sink. The liner further includes a side drain having an elevated outer end and a bottom interconnecting with side walls and extending from the elevated outer end to an inner end. The inner end of the side drain is adapted to be engaged with an outer edge of a side panel and to extend over the peripheral flange of the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: N. Dawn Dandridge
  • Patent number: 6212708
    Abstract: A faucet splash guard and storage unit comprising a rear wall. A right side wall is affixed to and extends at a right angle outwardly from a first side edge of the rear wall. A left side wall is affixed to and extends at a right angle outwardly from a second side edge of the rear wall. A top wall is affixed to and extends between top edges of the rear wall, the right side wall, and the left side wall. A fastener disposed to encircle the faucet is mounted to the rear wall. The faucet splash guard and storage unit will stand and extend over a faucet and bowl of a kitchen sink, to protect surrounding areas about the faucet and the bowl from splash water and keep the areas clean and dry. The top wall provides extra shelf room for other articles needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Azanaw Mulaw
  • Patent number: 6076202
    Abstract: A shampoo sink system that includes an adjustable base assembly including an anti-tip wall attachment structure that includes an exterior sink structure having a liner structure with an emptying trough hingedly attached thereto. The liner structure is emptied by pivoting the liner at the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: M. Olene Lockwood
  • Patent number: 6017462
    Abstract: A sink liner apparatus and a method for using the apparatus for removing plaster from waste water has a catch basin to catch the waste water contaminated with plaster and direct it into a sedimentation basin. The sedimentation basin allows the plaster to precipitate into the sedimentation basin, which can be periodically cleaned or replaced. The waste water overflows through a sedimentation basin draining aperture into a sink basin. The sink basin supports the sedimentation basin and also directs the waste water into a sink draining aperture for separate disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Michael D. Rains
  • Patent number: 5815856
    Abstract: A soft pliable mat includes a central rectangular base for covering the floor of a sink or basin. Four rectangular flaps extend from each side of the base to cover the sink or basin sidewalls as well as the upper surrounding edges and adjoining counter tops, as well as any rear splash board or front cabinet face. The liner may be formed from a planar stamping and formed into a generally closed-bottomed, open-topped receptacle through the use of fasteners such as hook and loop type fabric fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Steven P. Dore
  • Patent number: 5661857
    Abstract: An insert is provided for a wash basin in which the insert is previously molded from a sheet of plastic material so as to cover the inner section of the bowl and a part of the upper surface of the top wall surrounding the bowl. The insert has a drain opening aligned with the drain opening of the bowl and an overflow opening aligned with the overflow opening of the bowl. A drain fitting the connection to a drain line has a pipe extending from the drain opening of the insert into the drain opening of the bowl and a flange at the top of the pipe engaging an upper surface of the insert. An overflow fitting has a pipe portion extending through the overflow opening of the insert opening of the bowl with a flange inside the insert. The pipe portion has a length that it projects through the overflow opening of the bowl to an area just behind the outer surface of the bowl and a strip of flexible material of L-shaped to cross section which is bent around the overflow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventor: Vernon Walter McLean
  • Patent number: 5647073
    Abstract: A padding system adapted for a sink including a sink insert having an open upper end, a closed lower end, a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls. The sink insert is dimensioned for receipt within a sink. The closed lower end has a drainage aperture formed therethrough in a central portion thereof. The drainage aperture is disposed over an existing drain of a sink. The open upper end has a peripheral flange extending outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Steven C. Dorber, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5577289
    Abstract: A flexible rubber-like device that will conform to the divider wall of a kitchen- or wet-bar sink and providing an attached scrubber pad for the purpose of single-handedly cleaning utensils or flat objects such as knives, forks, scrapers, plastic or metal blades or spatula blades and paint scrapers and putty knife blades. The device can be used for cleaning bakery cake-decorating spreader-knives, demonstrator's knives, painter's stirring utensils and laboratory tools. The device will adhere securely to the divider wall as it becomes wet from running water. The device will assist in cleaning kitchen utensils, tools, paint scrapers, or any flatware that may be sensibly scraped in water and on a scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Margaret R. Russell
  • Patent number: 5181285
    Abstract: A web protection system for a sink having at least first and second sink basins separated by a partition wall with the partition wall having an upper horizontal surface. The system includes an elongated web protector having a U-shaped cross-section which fits over and protects the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Paul P. Kolada
  • Patent number: 4894875
    Abstract: A sink mat is set forth wherein the mat is of a generally rectangular configuration formed of laminated polymeric layers. The layers are mechanically or adhesively secured together to capture coil springs therein. THe coil springs are formed in a plurality of circular patterns originating from the center of the mat to cushion and absorb impact when positioned. Furthermore, a plurality of bendable elongate wires are captured within spaced peripheral positions within the laminated layers to enable deformation and recontouring of the mat to accommodate variations in associated sink contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventors: Jack B. Oxley, Joel T. Oxley