Patents Assigned to Phoenix Closures, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5513781
    Abstract: A sifter and liner assembly and method of making the assembly which is configured for use with a container. The sifter is dimensioned to span the mouth of the container and has an upper surface, a lower surface and a least one aperture. The liner is dimensioned to cover at least the aperture of the sifter and includes an integral pull tab. A layer of permanent adhesive material is located on a peripheral edge of the lower surface of the sifter to secure the sifter to the lip of the container. A layer of impermanent adhesive material is located between the sifter and the liner for removably securing the liner to the sifter. The sifter and liner are retained together within the closure cap. The sifter, liner and closure cap form a package which can be stored, transported and applied to the container as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Ullrich, Albert R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5450972
    Abstract: A tamper evident closure assembly comprising a container, a cap and a band portion. The container has a neck with threads and an annular interference ring located axially below the threads and integral with the container finish. An annular tamper indicating band is detachably connected to the skirt of the cap with a plurality of spaced connectors located between the cap and the band. The band has an annular shoulder formed on the inside surface thereof. The interference ring includes at least one integral lug formed on its upper surface. The lug is configured with a downwardly sloping upper surface and a substantially vertical face. The sloping upper surface of the lug facilitates the application of the closure, and specifically the band, over the interference ring. The face of the lug forms a strengthening support against which the annular shoulder of the band rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Bridgett E. Zemlo
  • Patent number: 5435467
    Abstract: A dispenser for a container having a pouring spout being integral with a spout portion and being disposed a retaining wall. The pouring spout of the dispenser is configured to allow orientation specific stacking whereby a spout portion is stacked onto a previously formed spout portion to form a stack of spout portions being aligned in the same direction. The dispenser includes an integral flow opening formed through an underside of the floor between the retaining wall and the pouring spout. The flow opening is coplaner with a horizontal plane through a juncture of the neck and the shoulder of the container and provides a channel through which the contents of the container can flow unobstructedly between the shoulder of the container and the lower end of the spout portion, which diminishes the amount of residual contents left within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Len Ekkert, Bridgett E. Zemlo
  • Patent number: 5368469
    Abstract: An apparatus for molding a tamper evident closure having a top, an annular skirt depending from the top, and a breakaway band secured to an underside of the skirt by a plurality of bridges includes a mold frame, a cavity portion releasably secured to the frame and configured for forming an outer surface of the closure, a core portion nestable into the cavity portion and mounted on the frame for reciprocal axial movement relative to the cavity portion, a slide portion mounted to the frame for reciprocal movement transverse to the axial movement of the core portion between a closed position and an open position, and a stripper device located on the frame for disengaging molded closures retained on the slide portion as the slide portion moves from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 5292020
    Abstract: A backoff resistant closure for use with a container having a neck portion with container threads integrally formed thereon, the container threads having an uppermost portion. At least one protuberance is integrally formed on the inner surface of the annular skirt of the closure which projects inwardly. The protuberance is spaced from the uppermost segment of the closure threading and positioned between the uppermost segment of the closure threading and the inner face of the top portion of the closure. The protuberance is configured to abut and provide a frictional retaining force against the uppermost portion of the container threads. The protuberance will also retain a closure liner within the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Narin
  • Patent number: 5271512
    Abstract: A molded tamper-evident closure for use with a container having a neck. The closure includes a generally planar top portion with an outer peripheral edge, an annular skirt depending from the peripheral edge and having a lower edge margin, an annular breakaway band having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface including a plurality of spaced frangible bridge formations integrally joined to the lower edge margin of the skirt. An outer surface of the breakaway band is provided with a plurality of support formations such as gusset members for preventing distortion of the breakaway band as the closure is applied to the container. The closure may also be provided with a plurality of specially configured recess formations for engaging ratchet formations on the neck of the container to provide an anti-backoff feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 5251788
    Abstract: A dispenser closure for attachment to the threaded neck of a container includes a spout portion and a cap portion. The spout portion includes an annular wall, a shoulder and a depending skirt. A spout is integrally formed within the spout portion and is non-concentrically disposed with an area defined by the annular wall. The spout is substantially closed and has an inner channel which is in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The spout terminates at an upper end having an oval aperture and at a lower end at an inclined floor. A drainage opening is also formed in the spout portion and is in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The drainage opening is adjacent the annular wall and extends through the inclined floor and vertically onto the spout. The cap portion has a radially projecting annular shoulder with a depending collar. The collar is threaded on an interior surface to engage a threaded exterior surface of the upper end of the spout portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Moore
  • Patent number: 5184746
    Abstract: A closure cap and fitment assembly configured for use with a container having a neck with an annular lip at its uppermost end defining a mouth. The closure cap and fitment assembly includes a fitment with a dispensing surface dimensioned to span the mouth of the container and a liner. The assembly further includes a cap with a top panel, an annular skirt and threads for releasable engagement onto the neck of the container. The inner portion of the cap defines a retaining structure which is designed to retain the fitment and liner within the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Moore, Jeffrey F. Ullrich
  • Patent number: 5137163
    Abstract: A tamper evident closure assembly comprising a container, a cap and a band portion. The container has a neck with threads and an annular interference ring located axially below the threads and integral with the container finish. The cap is internally threaded, having a top, a peripheral edge integral with the top and an annular skirt integrally depending from the peripheral edge. An annular tamper indicating band is detachably connected to the skirt with a plurality of spaced connectors located between the cap and the band. The band has an annular shoulder on the inside surface thereof. The annular shoulder of the band and the interference ring are configured and arranged relative to each other so that upon the application of twisting torque by the user to remove the cap from the container, the connectors are subjected to a localized vertical force, which severs the connectors sequentially and one or more at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Moore
  • Patent number: 5135123
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tamper-evident closure includes providing a closure with a skirt having a lower edge, providing a separate break away band, and securing the band to the lower edge of the closure. The band may be secured to the lower edge by ultrasonic welding or by a suitable adhesive. The band is preferably provided with a plurality of spaced, relatively thin ribs which serve as attachment points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Nairn, Richard J. Petro
  • Patent number: 5133486
    Abstract: A tamper evident pull ring pour spout includes a tubular spout having an outer threaded surface, an inner surface, and a lower flange for attaching the spout to the container, a pull ring integrally formed in inner surface of the spout and configured to seal the spout, a finger tab disposed on the pull ring and adapted to facilitate the removal of the pull ring from the spout and a threaded cap dimensioned to threadably engage the spout and to reclose the closure upon the removal of the pull ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Moore, Bridgett Zemlo, Richard J. Petro
  • Patent number: 5101993
    Abstract: A closure seal for sealing a closure to a container land surface includes the application of a sealing material to the land surface just prior to the engagement of the closure and the land surface so that the sealing material may fill in any gaps, imperfections, or misalignments between the land surface and the opposing surface of the closure. In addition, the underside of the annular portion may be provided with a plurality of depending, variable length annular sealing beads which engage the land surface to effect a leak-proof seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Nairn, Richard J. Petro
  • Patent number: 5058772
    Abstract: A dispenser closure for attachment to the threaded neck of a container includes spout portion having an annular wall, a shoulder and a depending skirt, the skirt being threaded on an interior surface to lockingly engage the container neck, a spout formation disposed with an area defined by the annular wall and being integral with the spout portion, and a closed-top cap portion having a radially projecting annular shoulder with a depending collar, the collar being threaded on an interior surface to engage a threaded exterior surface of the upper end of the spout portion. A drainage opening in the spout portion facilitates the drainage of the entire contents of the container, and leveling formations facilitate automated assembly of the closure upon the container. Provisions are also disclosed for preventing the exposure of threaded areas of the closure to container contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Moore, Richard J. Petro, Jeffrey F. Ullrich
  • Patent number: 4925067
    Abstract: A dispenser closure for a container includes a body having a generally planar top portion and a peripheral skirt portion depending therefrom to form a cap-like formation, and the top portion is provided with at least one sifter opening, a larger opening for spooning or pouring and a pair of vertically projecting slide guides located thereon in diametrically opposed relation to each other. A substantially planar solid slide plate is also provided and is adapted to slidingly engage the slide guides and to selectively expose either the sifter opening, the larger opening or to cover both the shifter and larger openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Bridgett Zemlo, Richard J. Petro, David N. Moore
  • Patent number: 4913299
    Abstract: A back-off resistant closure for resealable engagement upon a container having a neck with a ring of outwardly projecting ratchet formations includes a generally planar top portion with a depending peripheral annular skirt, the skirt having a plurality of recess formations for matingly engaging the ratchet formations on the container neck, thus preventing unwanted backing-off of the closure from the container, as well as facilitating the removal of the finished closure from conventional injection molding machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Petro
  • Patent number: 4863061
    Abstract: A closure for use in connection with a capped container includes a seal liner provided with a tab portion, and adapted to seal the mouth of the container, a cap liner adapted to be adhered to the tab portion of the seal liner and releasably retained within the cap so that upon opening of the container as by unscrewing the cap, the cap liner is released from the cap and provides an enlarged gripping surface to enable the consumer to more easily open the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Moore
  • Patent number: 4609115
    Abstract: A tamper-evident container closure and container assembly with tamper-evident ring which breaks away from the cap as the cap is unscrewed. The cap includes a pawled ring with a plurality of breakable connectors and connection of the pawl tips to the cap providing coupling of the ring to the cap. During assembly, the pawls ride over ratchet teeth on the container breaking the pawl connections to the container. When the cap is removed, the pawls interlock with the ratchet teeth breaking the breakable connectors. The ratchet teeth may be arranged in two sets of teeth offset from one another to provide reduced back-off and reduced back-off torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Moore, Bridgett Zemlo
  • Patent number: D359682
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert R. Miller
  • Patent number: D369748
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Bridgett Zemlo, Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: D370631
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Bridgett Zemlo, Len Ekkert