Abstract: A paper or other fibrous container is capable of maintaining a consistent gas level after sealing, as well as having sufficient stiffness to carry liquids and other heavy materials as well as light weigh materials such as medication and supplements. Preferred embodiments include a fibrous outer sleeve having an inwardly directed curled edge, a first metal sleeve positioned inward of the fibrous outer sleeve, and a bottom piece having a top metal layer. The bottom piece is preferably disposed intermediate the inwardly directed curled edge and the first metal sleeve. A first adhesive is preferably disposed intermediate the bottom piece and the first metal sleeve, and a second adhesive is preferably disposed intermediate the bottom piece and the inwardly directed curled edge.

Abstract: A paper or other fibrous container is capable of maintaining a consistent gas level after sealing, as well as having sufficient stiffness to carry liquids and other heavy materials as well as light weigh materials such as medication and supplements. Preferred embodiments include a fibrous outer sleeve having an inwardly directed curled edge, a first metal sleeve positioned inward of the fibrous outer sleeve, and a bottom piece having a top metal layer. The bottom piece is preferably disposed intermediate the inwardly directed curled edge and the first metal sleeve. A first adhesive is preferably disposed intermediate the bottom piece and the first metal sleeve, and a second adhesive is preferably disposed intermediate the bottom piece and the inwardly directed curled edge.

Abstract: A container has a fibrous lid (100) and vessel (110) that have mutually mating raised beads (104, 112). The beads are preferably formed in rings, which in the case of the lid is positioned on the underside of the cap, and in the case of the vessel is positioned at the mouth of the vessel. Also in preferred embodiments, the beads can have outward curls, inward curls, or have a split formation. Both lid and vessel are preferably made of at least 85 wt % paper. The non-paper percentages can advantageously comprise one or more of glues, adhesives, films, and/or moisture barriers, and in most preferred embodiments, the moisture barrier is also an adhesive.

Abstract: A container has a fibrous lid (100) and vessel (110) that have mutually mating raised beads (104, 112). The beads are preferably formed in rings, which in the case of the lid is positioned on the underside of the cap, and in the case of the vessel is positioned at the mouth of the vessel. Also in preferred embodiments, the beads can have outward curls, inward curls, or have a split formation. Both lid and vessel are preferably made of at least 85 wt % paper. The non-paper percentages can advantageously comprise one or more of glues, adhesives, films, and/or moisture barriers, and in most preferred embodiments, the moisture barrier is also an adhesive.

Abstract: A container (100) configured to house a fluid or other liquid, semi-solid, or solid composition has a body having a pulp-molded portion (130) and a side wall (104) that at least partially defines a coated lumen (118). The container can include a neck (116) that has an open end and is coupled to the body. A heterocompositional frame (114) can be used to reinforce the neck (116). The container (100) can include a permeation barrier material or other coating to act as a barrier between the container's walls and the container's contents. A method of reinforcing a neck (116) in a pulp-molded bottle is also disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a frame material that is heterocompositional to a material of the bottle. The method also includes the step of applying the frame material to the neck (116) of the bottle.

Abstract: A resealable jar for liquid, semi-solid, or solid content comprises a body having a rigid fibrous wall that at least partially defines a lumen and an open end, and a child resistant cap sized and dimensioned to engage the open end of the jar body. The cap is configured to be deformable to releaseably engage the open end of the jar body. The body could be composed of a paper or a fibrous material, and the cap could be composed of biodegradable material. The cap could be disengaged from the jar body by application of a force to a deformable center section, or to pinch tabs, or to a pull tab of the cap.

Abstract: A closure system (100) includes a container (110) having a ridge (130), a land (140), and a groove (150) disposed between the ridge and the land. A plug (120) can be inserted into the container to create a seal between the land and the plug. The plug can have a first member (160) sized and dimensioned to rest upon the land, and a second member (170) having a catch (180) that is extendable into, and retractable from, the groove. One or more rubber layers (344, 444) can be disposed between the land and the first member to improve the seal between the first member and the land.

Abstract: A container for semi-solid compositions comprising a tube portion having a first paper that defines first, second, and third plies forming an open end and a closed end, the tube portion comprising a lumen containing a semi-solid composition. The tube portion comprises a continuous coating that is a permeation barrier to the semi-solid composition, which is disposed between the first and second plies and the second and third plies. The container also includes a restrictor portion sized and dimensioned to couple with the open end of the tube portion and an end closure member sized and dimensioned to mate with the restrictor portion. The tube portion, restrictor portion, and end closure are made of one or more biodegradable materials.

Abstract: A can-shaped package is constructed from a single fibrous material, such as cardboard or paper, that is rolled into a cylinder or tube and is sealed at its end by cutting an open end of the tube into flaps and folding the flaps over one another to form an air tight bottom. By utilizing such a configuration, the can-shaped package can be constructed completely from biodegradable materials in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: A knitting needle has multiple segments, at least one of which is relatively non-rigid, wherein the segments can be combined to produce a needle that is sufficiently rigid to be used for knitting, while also having diminished usefulness as a weapon. In three major classes of embodiments, one of the segments fits inside the other in a telescoping manner, one of the segments wraps around the other, or the two segments can fit together in some sort of slotted fashion. There may be one or more engineered points of structural failure. Segments can be held together frictionally, magnetically, threadably, using a snap or twist and lock fitting, or in any other suitable manner. Contemplated segments can have any suitable composition, including especially a bendable plastic or a foam rubber.

Abstract: A container for semi-solid compositions comprises a tube having first, second, and third plies of a first paper which defines an open end and a closed end, and a lumen containing the semi-solid composition, and further comprising a coating that is substantially impermeable to the semi-solid composition, and disposed between the first, second, and third plies; a restrictor portion sized and dimensioned to couple with the open end of the tube portion; an end closure member sized and dimensioned to mate with the restrictor portion; and wherein the tube portion, restrictor portion, and end closure are made of biodegradable material.

Abstract: A container for dispensing a liquid comprises a body portion comprising a fibrous material having a coating and a pump portion comprising biodegradable latex. In an alternative embodiment the dispenser can include a biodegradable latex adaptor that couples the body to the pump, wherein the pump draws the liquid from the reservoir using a vacuum. It is contemplated that the structural material of the body portion could be formed out of a biodegradable material. Preferred coating can be used solely for rendering the walls of the body portion substantially impermeable to the liquid, or may perform the function as an adhesive for holding the wall layers together, or to perform both functions.

Abstract: A closure system (100) includes a container (110) having a ridge (130), a land (140), and a groove (150) disposed between the ridge and the land. A plug (120) can be inserted into the container to create a seal between the land and the plug. The plug can have a first member (160) sized and dimensioned to rest upon the land, and a second member (170) having a catch (180) that is extendable into, and retractable from, the groove. One or more rubber layers (344, 444) can be disposed between the land and the first member to improve the seal between the first member and the land.

Abstract: A mesh basket (100) is described that includes a rigid lattice structure (102) having a fibrous side and bottom. The structure has a plurality of lattice elements (110) that can collectively define a plurality of visually non-occluded lattice holes (112), such that a consumer can view the contents of the basket. Preferably, the apparent collective area of the holes is at least 40% of the apparent collective area of the lattice structure (102). The basket (100) can also have a film layer (120) covering at least a portion of the basket to thereby regulate moisture within the basket (100).

Abstract: A container (100) configured to house a fluid or other liquid, semi-solid, or solid composition has a body having a pulp-molded portion (130) and a side wall (104) that at least partially defines a coated lumen (118). The container can include a neck (116) that has an open end and is coupled to the body. A heterocompositional frame (114) can be used to reinforce the neck (116). The container (100) can include a permeation barrier material or other coating to act as a barrier between the container's walls and the container's contents. A method of reinforcing a neck (116) in a pulp-molded bottle is also disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a frame material that is heterocompositional to a material of the bottle. The method also includes the step of applying the frame material to the neck (116) of the bottle.

Abstract: A knitting needle has multiple segments, at least one of which is relatively non-rigid, wherein the segments can be combined to produce a needle that is sufficiently rigid to be used for knitting, while also having diminished usefulness as a weapon. In three major classes of embodiments, one of the segments fits inside the other in a telescoping manner, one of the segments wraps around the other, or the two segments can fit together in some sort of slotted fashion. There may be one or more engineered points of structural failure. Segments can be held together frictionally, magnetically, threadably, using a snap or twist and lock fitting, or in any other suitable manner. Contemplated segments can have any suitable composition, including especially a bendable plastic or a foam rubber.

Abstract: A container for liquids or semi-solid contents is formed from one or more pieces of paper, where the paper openings are sealed and the body of the container is coated with a material that renders the body impermeable to the contents. The coating material could be biodegradable, such that the entire container biodegrades after use. The container could also be sealed using crimping or folding the ends of the paper, and the paper could be layered to improve the impermeability effects.

Abstract: A biodegradable jar has an enclosure wall with a cap that forms ajar that holds a semi-solid material. In order to prevent the biodegradable wail from being weakened by the semi-solid material in the jar, both an exterior surface and an interior surface of the wall and the cap include a permeation barrier material that substantially prevents the semi-solid material from seeping through the walls of the jar. The enclosure wall could have an inner wall that is shorter than the outer wall which forms a ledge that a separate cover for the semi-solid material could rest upon.

Abstract: A biodegradable tube comprises a mom-rigid paper tubular body defining a lumen for containing a semi-solid composition; a paper tubular cap that slidably mates with the body; and wherein interior surfaces of the each of the body and the cap have a coating that is substantially impermeable to the semi-solid composition. In preferred embodiments the tube body and cap have tapered sealed ends, the coating comprises an adhesive, and the walls of the tube/cap comprise a rolled paper material upon which the coating has been applied. Contemplated semi-solid product materials include for example lip balm, facial cream, lotion, deodorant, sunscreen, caulk, grease sticks, mosquito repellant, and shoe polish.

Abstract: A biodegradable jar has an enclosure wall with a cap that form ajar that holds a semi-solid material. In order to prevent the biodegradable wall from being weakened by the semi-solid material in the jar, both an exterior surface and an interior surface of the wall and the cap include a permeation barrier material that substantially prevents the semi-solid material from seeping through the walls of the jar. The enclosure wall could have an inner wall that is shorter than the outer wall which forms a ledge that a separate cover for the semi-solid material could rest upon.