Patents Assigned to Phoenix Closures, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6926857
    Abstract: A closure whereby a mold in the shape of a closure is injected with plastic, allowed to cure or cool, forms a closure having a top portion surrounded by sidewalls, said top portion formed from two opposing surfaces, whereby at least one of said surfaces is domed shaped forming a closure having a flat top portion. Particularly, this invention provides different embodiments allowing for the formation of a closure with a flat top portion which is aesthetically pleasing and prevents against disorientation during production and moreover, prevents the sidewalls of the closure from collapsing inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Petro
  • Patent number: 6908001
    Abstract: A container and closure assembly whereby a pull tab sufficiently narrow in width is secured to the interior of the closure, thereby preventing the closure from becoming loosened or displaced, yet when sufficient torque is applied by the consumer to open the closure and remove it from the container the narrow pull tab is disengaged from its seal to the interior of the closure, yet having the liner over the mouth of the closure remains intact and undamaged, thus preventing any contamination of the container content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Moore
  • Publication number: 20040200798
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus allowing for gas flow into and/or out of a container assembly. The container assembly comprises a container having a sealing surface, and a cap having a sealing surface. The sealing surface of the container, the cap, or both is prepared by either being made of a coarse texture or polished so that the sealing surface of the container and the cap may cooperate with one another to form a seal, yet allow gas to flow into or out of the container assembly, as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6802428
    Abstract: A container assembly comprises a container having a sealing surface, and a cap having a sealing surface. The sealing surface of the container, the cap, or both is prepared by either being made of a coarse texture or polished so that the sealing surface of the container and the cap may cooperate with one another to form a seal, yet allow gas to flow into or out of the container assembly, as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6792742
    Abstract: The method stores and/or transports at least partially deformable items, such as caps for containers. One embodiment of the method has the following steps: identifying for at least one item an edge-on plane that is associated with a more deformable direction of the at least one item and an axial plane that is associate with a less deformable direction of the at least one item; and orienting the at least one item such that the edge-on plane of the at least one item is substantially vertical, the at least one item being stored and/or transported in an unsecured manner relative to other deformable items. This method therefore provides cost savings to both manufacturers and users by reducing the number of damaged and deformed items or caps during storage and/or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20040045262
    Abstract: The method stores and/or transports at least partially deformable items, such as caps for containers. One embodiment of the method has the following steps: identifying for at least one item an edge-on plane that is associated with a more deformable direction of the at least one item and an axial plane that is associated with a less deformable direction of the at least one item; and orienting the at least one item such that the edge-on plane of the at least one item is substantially vertical, the at least one item being stored and/or transported in an unsecured manner relative to other deformable items. This method therefore provides cost savings to both manufacturers and users by reducing the number of damaged and deformed items or caps during storage and/or transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6425492
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liner for use with an associated closure of an associated container. The liner comprises a central portion that has a periphery. The periphery defines a central portion diameter. At lest six tabs extend from the periphery, and each tab has a tab height. Each of the at least six tabs is about 20° to about 40° in arcuate length, and the tab height is about 1 percent to about 3 percent of the central portion diameter. Each of the six tabs is equally spaced from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6325227
    Abstract: A molded tamper-indicating closure for use with an associated container having a finish with an external thread formation and an annular locking collar located axially under the thread formation is disclosed. The locking collar has a circumference, the locking collar defining a locking collar cylindrical plane having a locking collar radius perpendicular to the circumference of the closure. The closure has a cap having a circular top wall portion and an annular skirt portion depending from said top wall portion, said skirt portion having an internal thread formed therein for engaging the container thread. The closure also has a plurality of frangible bridges depending from the skirt portion of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6260722
    Abstract: A cap and container assembly can be opened and closed repeatedly and continue to achieve a good seal between the cap and the container. The good seal results from the engagement, of the container neck with cap protrusions, which temporarily deforms the shape of the container and/or the cap as the cap is secured to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6257432
    Abstract: A cap and container assembly can be opened and closed repeatedly and continue to achieve a good seal between the cap and the container. The good seal results from the engagement, of the container neck with cap protrusions, which temporarily deforms the shape of the container and/or the cap as the cap is secured to the container, and from stopping surfaces which limit the extent of that deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6250507
    Abstract: A locking closure for use with an associated container includes a closure cap having a top wall portion and a depending skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The top wall portion further defines a dispensing region therein, and a door for covering the dispensing region. The door has a top surface and a bottom surface defining a thickness, and the door is connected to the top wall portion at a hinge region. The door is pivotable about the hinge region to traverse a path between an open condition and a closed condition. The closure includes a latch having a base portion integral with the top wall that extends generally transverse therefrom. The latch further includes a hook portion integral with the base portion, the hook portion extending from the base portion and intersecting the path defined by the door. The hook portion is spaced from the top wall and defines an engaging surface and a locking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6158632
    Abstract: A closure is configured for sealing engagement with an associated container, and includes a recessed, hinged cover. The closure has a circular top wall portion defining an edge region. A channel is formed in the top wall portion extending to the edge region. The channel defines an open end and a closed end and is formed by a pair of side walls and a bottom wall. A dispensing opening is formed in the channel bottom wall. An annular skirt depends from the top wall portion at about the edge region and includes a container engaging portion for engaging the container. A cover is pivotally connected to the top wall portion for movement within the channel between an open position wherein the cover is pivoted away from the dispensing opening and a closed position wherein the cover overlies the dispensing opening and extends to about the channel open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6126026
    Abstract: A molded closure for use with a container includes a top wall defining a generally planar inner surface and a skirt depending from the top wall generally perpendicular thereto. The skirt includes a container engaging member formed therein. The closure includes a retaining projection formed in the top wall contiguous with the inner surface and extending therefrom inwardly of the closure. The projection extends from the surface perpendicular thereto and defines at least a pair of mold binding surfaces perpendicular to the top wall surface. The binding surfaces are formed in facing relation to one another. The closure is formed in a heated state, and as the closure cools, at least the binding surfaces exert a binding force on the mold block at a location forming a part of the projection to momentarily retain the closure bound to the molding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 6047840
    Abstract: A molded, back-off resistant closure for use with an associated container having a neck portion and at least one outwardly projecting ratchet formation includes a generally circular top wall portion and a skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The skirt includes an inner wall and an outer wall and defines a lower wall portion. The skirt terminates in an edge and includes a thread formation formed in the inner wall for matingly engaging the neck portion of the container. The closure includes a plurality of lugs recessed from the edge and extending radially inwardly from the lower wall and longitudinally along the lower wall portion a distance so as to not touch the edge. The lugs extend outwardly and downwardly such that at least one of the lugs can engage the at least one outwardly projecting ratchet formation on the container neck portion when the container and closure are engaged with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Moore, Richard J. Petro
  • Patent number: 6044994
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement is provided having a container neck having a sloped land surface. The sloping land surface is configured to prevent the liner from slipping across the land surface when the cap is applied to the container. The cap has depending downwardly from its inner surface an annular bead positioned relative to the land surface such that, when the cap is applied to the container, the bead extends down into the mouth of the container radially inwardly of the land surface. The land surface, together with the bead, stabilize and stretch the liner upon application of the cap, urging the liner to conform to the land surface. At least one sealing rib depends downwardly from the lower surface of the cap to provide additional sealing force between the liner and the land surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6039196
    Abstract: A child resistant closure is used with an associated container. The closures includes a closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion. The skirt portion has an edge region spaced from the top wall portion. The cap includes at least one pivotal release tab extending from the skirt portion and connected thereto by a connector. The connector extends between the tab and the skirt portion at about the edge region. The tab further includes a ratchet extending therefrom to engage the container. The closure is removed from the container by urging the release tab inwardly of the closure to disengage the ratchet from the container. The closure can include a tear away tamper-evident band overlying the release tab to provide visibly discernible evidence that the closure has been removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, INc.
    Inventors: Len Ekkert, Albert R. Miller, Bridgett Zemlo
  • Patent number: 5967351
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure is used with an associated container having a finish including an external thread formation thereon, and an annular locking ring located axially under the thread formation. The closure includes a closure cap having a circular top wall portion and an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. An internal thread is formed in the skirt and defines a skirt wall plane. The closure includes an annular tamper-indicating band depending from the cap that is detachably connected to the cap by a plurality of circumferentially spaced, tapered, frangible connectors extending between the band and the cap. The connectors taper to define a region adjacent to a juncture of the connector and the band having a cross-section that is smaller than a cross-section at a region of the connector adjacent to a juncture of the connector and the closure cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 5950849
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure is used with an associated container having a finish having an external thread formation thereon, and an annular locking ring located axially under the thread formation. The closure includes a closure cap having a circular top wall portion defining an outermost edge and a top wall extension region. The closure cap includes an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion inwardly of the outermost edge. An internal thread is formed in the skirt and defines a skirt wall plane. The closure includes a plurality of ribs extending from the top wall extension region to define an enlarged grasping region to comfortably fit a user's hand. An annular tamper-indicating band depends from the cap and is detachably connected to the cap by a plurality of circumferentially spaced, frangible connectors extending between the band and at least some of the ribs. The band includes an internal surface configured for engaging the locking ring and separates the band from the skirt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Len Ekkert, Jeffrey F. Ullrich
  • Patent number: D445690
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: D466810
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert