US6012580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal implant dispenser
Assignee: Linvatec Corp
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Filing: 1998-06-30
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2018-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A universal dispenser for implants or other items includes a lightweight, thin housing made up of two clamshell halves pivoted together at a hinge. One of the halves has two laterally spaced recesses and the other of the halves has two laterally spaced projections configured to be frictionally retained within respective ones of the recesses when the halves are pivoted to a closed position. At least one of the clamshell halves has an elongated recess to form a chamber when the clamshell halves are pivoted to the closed position. The ends of the clamshell halves most remote from one another may include halves of an opening which is formed when the halves are pivoted to the closed position. This opening may be provided, if necessary or desired, so that an item such as an implant stored within the chamber formed by one or both elongated recesses may be removed therefrom when the clamshell halves are in the closed position merely by squeezing their edges together to expand the size of the opening and allow the item or implant to fall out of the opening. The size of the chamber formed by one or both of the elongated recesses is slightly smaller in its dimensions than the dimensions of the item or implant that is to be stored therein so that, when the item or implant is placed in the chamber and the clamshell halves are closed together to enclose the item or implant, a slight bowing of the clamshell halves occurs to frictionally retain it within the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Peters
- 👤 Robert C. Hackett
- 👤 David G. Phillips
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:32
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D75/00; B65D75/52; B65D75/58; B65D83/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A package for storing and dispensing an item, comprising: a) a body having first and second clamshell halves pivoted together at a flexible hinge, each of said halves having opposed side edges with finger receiving relieved portions therein and end edges adjacent one another in a closed position of said package; b) said first half having a first recess therein adapted to receive an item and a second recess laterally spaced from said first recess; c) said second half having a protrusion; d) said halves being pivotable together from an open position to said closed position to enclose an item in said first recess, said second recess frictionally receiving said protrusion to retain said halves in said closed position; e) whereby in said closed position, said side edges may be squeezed to bow said halves apart, thereby separating said end edges and allowing removal of said item from said first recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A package for storing and dispensing an item, comprising: a) a body having first and second clamshell halves pivoted together at a flexible hinge, each of said halves having opposed side edges with finger receiving relieved portions therein and end edges adjacent one another in a closed position of said package; b) said first half having a first recess therein adapted to receive an item and a second recess laterally spaced from said first recess; c) said second half having a protrusion; d) said halves being pivotable together from an open position to said closed position to enclose an item in said first recess, said second recess frictionally receiving said protrusion to retain said halves in said closed position; e) whereby in said closed position, said side edges may be squeezed to bow said halves apart, thereby separating said end edges and allowing removal of said item from said first recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The package of claim 1, wherein said second recess comprises two recesses laterally spaced to either side of said first recess and said protrusion comprises two protrusions, each located to be frictionally received in one of said laterally spaced protrusions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The package of claim 1, wherein said first recess is sized slightly smaller than said item whereby, in said closed position, said halves bow apart to create a restoring force frictionally acting on said item to prevent said item from moving.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The package of claim 1, further including third and fourth recesses formed in respective ones of said end edges and aligned with said first recess to form an access opening thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The package of claim 4, wherein said opening is diamond-shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The package of claim 1, wherein said halves and hinge are integrally molded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
8 words
The package of claim 6, made of plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The package of claim 4, further including a fifth recess in said second half aligned with said first recess in said closed position to form a chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
A package for storing and dispensing an item, comprising: a) a plastic molded body having first and second clamshell halves pivoted together at a flexible hinge, each of said halves having opposed side edges with finger receiving relieved portions therein; b) said first half having a first recess therein adapted to receive an item and second recesses laterally spaced to either side of said first recess; c) said second half having a protrusion for each second recess; d) said halves being pivotable together from an open position to a closed position to enclose an item in said first recess, said second recesses frictionally receiving said protrusions to retain said halves in said closed position; e) whereby in said closed position, said side edge recesses may be squeezed to bow said halves apart, thereby creating an access opening to said first recess and allowing removal of said item from said first recess.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
151 words
A package for storing and dispensing an item, comprising: a) a plastic molded body having first and second clamshell halves pivoted together at a flexible hinge, each of said halves having opposed side edges with finger receiving relieved portions therein; b) said first half having a first recess therein adapted to receive an item and second recesses laterally spaced to either side of said first recess; c) said second half having a protrusion for each second recess; d) said halves being pivotable together from an open position to a closed position to enclose an item in said first recess, said second recesses frictionally receiving said protrusions to retain said halves in said closed position; e) whereby in said closed position, said side edge recesses may be squeezed to bow said halves apart, thereby creating an access opening to said first recess and allowing removal of said item from said first recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The package of claim 9, wherein said first recess is sized slightly smaller than said item whereby, in said closed position, said halves bow apart to create a restoring force frictionally acting on said item to prevent said item from moving.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The package of claim 9, wherein said halves and hinge are integrally molded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The package of claim 9, further including a third recess in said second half aligned with said first recess in said closed position to form a chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
A package for storing and dispensing an item, comprising: a) a body having first and second halves, each of said halves having opposed side edges with finger receiving relieved portions therein; b) said first half having a first recess therein adapted to receive an item and a second recess laterally spaced from said first recess; c) said second half having a protrusion; d) said halves being attachable together in a closed position to enclose an item in said first recess, said second recess frictionally receiving said protrusion to retain said halves in said closed position; e) whereby in said closed position, said side edges may be squeezed to bow said halves apart, thereby creating an access opening to said first recess and allowing removal of said item from said first recess.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
131 words
A package for storing and dispensing an item, comprising: a) a body having first and second halves, each of said halves having opposed side edges with finger receiving relieved portions therein; b) said first half having a first recess therein adapted to receive an item and a second recess laterally spaced from said first recess; c) said second half having a protrusion; d) said halves being attachable together in a closed position to enclose an item in said first recess, said second recess frictionally receiving said protrusion to retain said halves in said closed position; e) whereby in said closed position, said side edges may be squeezed to bow said halves apart, thereby creating an access opening to said first recess and allowing removal of said item from said first recess.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The package of claim 13, wherein said second recess comprises two recesses laterally spaced to either side of said first recess and said protrusion comprises two protrusions, each located to be frictionally received in one of said laterally spaced protrusions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The package of claim 13, wherein said first recess is sized slightly smaller than said item whereby, in said closed position, said halves bow apart to create a restoring force frictionally acting on said item to prevent said item from moving.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The package of claim 13, wherein said access opening is diamond-shaped.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
8 words
The package of claim 13, made of plastic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-10 | 2003-07-12 | 2004-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-10 | 2007-07-12 | 2008-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-10 | 2011-07-12 | 2012-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |