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. 29, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 04, 2001
R. Douglas Behr, Midland, MI (US);
Mary Lou Hughes, Saginaw, MI (US);
Midland Technology Development Corporation, Midland, MI (US);
Abstract
Dispensing device can include a looped member having a plurality of stiff segments connected by hinges. For instance, the device can have five or six stiff segments connected by living hinges, at least three of which face outward and the other(s) inward in relation to the looped member. The device with six stiff segments can fold up so as to be placed inside a beverage container. As well, a dispensing device can have a member upon which a can or carton can rest and a reversible can-stop connected to it. The can-stop can be formed by a small, reversibly folding loop at one end of the member. In general, cylindrical objects exiting an opened carton can be restrained by providing a dispensing device having a generally flat base member and a can-stop; placing the base member under the objects in the carton with the can-stop outside the carton; and allowing at least one of the objects to roll from inside the carton to outside the carton where it is stopped by the can-stop. The device can go inside or under the carton.