The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 06, 1993
Filed:
Feb. 11, 1992
Henry G Roethel, Ravenna, OH (US);
The Meyer Company, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for storing a supply of cup-shaped elements such as containers in a stacked, telescopically interfitted relationship comprises a tubular housing with a resilient diaphragm across the lower end. The diaphragm has a center opening through which the lowermost container extends. The diaphragm acts to retain the stack in the housing while permitting the lowermost container to be withdrawn. In one form, the diaphragm comprises a unitary piece of resilient, elastomeric material with the diaphragm having a resistance to elongation in directions circumferentially of the opening which increases progressively radially outwardly of the opening. In another form, the diaphragm includes integral fingers which extend radially inward of the opening. The fingers each decrease in width and thickness in the radial inward direction and may include a transverse rib on their inner surface to engage the lowermost container in the stack.