IP Library Granted Patent US 11,274,978
Granted Patent B2
US 11,274,978 · App. 15/800,927 · Granted Mar 15, 2022

Tapered thermal probe cover and corresponding packaging system

Inventors: Benjamin Duck (McHenry, IL); Allison Jamison (Chicago, IL)
Assignee: Medline Industries LP
G01K13/25G01K13/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,274,978
App. No.
15/800,927
Granted
Mar 15, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system includes a container ( 500 ) having a base member ( 506 ) and four sides ( 501,502,503,504 ). The four sides flare outward from the base member as the four sides extend distally from the base member. The four sides define an open top ( 506 ) of the container. One or more tapered probe covers ( 100 ) can be stored within the container. The container can have a protective covering ( 700 ) as well.

Claims (28)

1. A device, comprising

a container, comprising:

a base member; and

sides extending from the base member;

the sides consisting essentially of four sides; and

the four sides flaring outward from the base member as the four sides extend distally from the base member;

wherein the four sides define an open top of the container; and

a plurality of tapered probe covers disposed within the container;

wherein the container is manufactured from a blank comprising four side panels and a side linking panel.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the side linking panel is attached to one panel of the four side panels.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the blank further comprises four reinforcing panels extending distally away from top edges of the four side panels.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein a first two sides of the four sides taper along a length of the first two sides.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein a second two sides of the four sides are substantially rectangular.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the first two sides taper a bottom width of between 47 and 48 millimeters to an upper width of between 56 and 57 millimeters.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the second two sides have a width of between 18 and 19 millimeters.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein each tapered probe cover comprises a hollow, tapering, elongated member that tapers from a wider open end to a narrower distal tip.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein sidewalls of the each tapered probe cover taper in linearly such that the sidewalls define a frustoconical cross-sectional shape along a length of the tapering probe cover that is disposed between the wider open end and the narrower distal tip.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein the narrower distal tip has a wall thickness that is thinner than is another wall thickness extending along a length of the tapering probe cover that is disposed between the wider open end and the narrower distal tip.

11. The device of claim 1 , the container further comprising a protective covering that spans and covers the open top.

12. The device of claim 11 , the protective covering defining an opening.

13. The device of claim 12 , the protective covering further comprising a closure.

14. The device of claim 13 , the closure biasing the opening to a closed position.

15. The device of claim 14 , the closure comprising an elastomeric member.

16. The device of claim 1 , the blank defining a foldable panel arrangement.

17. The device of claim 1 , the blank manufactured from cardboard.

18. The device of claim 1 , the blank manufactured from a thermoplastic material.

19. The device of claim 1 , wherein sidewalls of the each tapered probe cover change in thickness as they extend from a wider open end to a narrower distal tip.

20. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a holster configured to hold the container.

Assignments (6)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 28, 2026
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075643/0462 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071672/0100 →
CONVERSION OF ENTITY FROM CORPORATION TO LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Recorded Oct 31, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
Reel/Frame 057977/0436 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057927/0091 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058040/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2018
From: DUCK, BENJAMIN; JAMISON, ALLISON
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 044778/0058 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190128742A1 · May 2, 2019