Retained By Bonding Or Adhesive Means Patents (Class 215/232)
  • Patent number: 6277478
    Abstract: A container mouth (21) is sealed with an inner seal which comprises a reseal liner (9) fitted inside of a cap (23) and a seal cover (10) separably laminated to the reseal liner and remaining on the container mouth after the container (20) is uncapped. The seal cover comprises a metal foil (5), a glassine paper (7) layered on the underside of the metal foil, and a hot-melt adhesive layer (8) coated on the underside of the glassine paper by gravure roll coating process. A polyethlene film (6) is preferably layered between the metal foil and the glassine paper to provide a better peel-off strength therebetween. The glassine paper may be replaced with an easy-peelable plastic film, such as a PET (polyethlene terephthalate resin) film. The inner seal fitted in the cap is placed onto the container mouth, and then the cap is subjected to a high frequency of 20-600 KHz to melt the hot-melt adhesive layer, whereby the seal cover hermetically seals the container mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Taihei Paper Manufacturing
    Inventors: Keigo Kurita, Kiromi Soutome
  • Patent number: 6257430
    Abstract: A closing device that has a container shoulder, a container head with an opening for dispensing the contents of the container, and a closure cap operated by a twisting motion. The closure cap has an inner cylinder, a cover plate with at least one window located in the region bounded by the inner cylinder, and a closure lid supported by ribs. Portions a freshness seal secured on the opening of the container head are visible from the outside even if the container is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Dental-Kosmetik GmbH Dresden
    Inventors: Rolf W. Rinnie, Gerhard Stoll, Guido Johne, Jochen Jahn, Hans-Joachim Gueldenzopf
  • Patent number: 6216923
    Abstract: A liquid pouring device that allows oil to be poured into an engine without the spillage and waste commonly accompanying liquid pouring from conventional plastic oil bottles. By use of the liquid pouring device, the user places the device up against the outlet of the oil bottle thereby preventing the flow of oil from the bottle. The oil bottle is then turned upside down and in close proximity to the engine oil port. Once the oil bottle is positioned properly, the liquid pouring device is removed and oil is allowed to flow into the engine oil port with no spillage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Jerry Edward Cech
  • Patent number: 6164471
    Abstract: A container assembly having a container, an insert and a cap. The container has a sidewall extending upwardly to a rim which circumscribes an opening in the top of the container. The insert is located in the opening in the top of the container and is formed of a substantially thin sheet of material. The insert includes an annular lip engaging the rim of the container, a body projecting downwardly from the lip into the container and a tab projecting laterally from the lip away from the body of the insert. The body of the insert has a downwardly extending sidewall which diverges away from the sidewall of said container as it progresses downwardly with the sidewall of the body terminating at a bottom wall. The lip of the insert is sealed to the rim of the container. The cap for the container seats over the opening and includes a downwardly depending skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Haig H. Kassouni
  • Patent number: 6164470
    Abstract: A hermetic seal for sealing a mouth of a wide-mouthed bottle having a body portion thinly formed by stretch blow molding, and a wide-mouthed bottle a mouth of which is sealed by the hermetic seal. A synthetic resin laminated sheet comprising an aluminum sheet or an aluminum foil as a base is punched into the same shape as a mouth of the wide-mouthed bottle to form the hermetic seal. The sheet is formed into a flat peripheral portion and a bellows inside the flat portion to have alternate multiple mountain and valley portions by press molding concurrently with the punching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: A. K. Technical Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Chino
  • Patent number: 6164503
    Abstract: A screw-on closure for bottles that initially works with an induction seal liner and provides a leak resistant reseal on the bottle after the liner is removed. The closure has a unique annular convex sealing surface that overlies the mouth of the bottle. The sealing surface and the closure body area supporting it are sufficiently massive to withstand the heat generated in an induction liner sealing process and have a geometry that promotes a line contact with the mouth of the bottle to ensure a drip resistant reclose. A dispensing aperture of the cap is sealed by a hinged flap that has its sealing surface areas strategically located relative to the hinge to ensure repeated drip free opening and closing dispensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherchem Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Forsyth, David C. Baxter
  • Patent number: 6131754
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a two-piece induction seal for use in creating clean, safe, and secure inner seals on containers, comprising layers of synthetic foam, absorbing synthetic polymer, an induction membrane and a heat-sensitive seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Smelko
  • Patent number: 6127023
    Abstract: Lid material (10) in the form of a substrate material (5) such as a plastic film bearing a printed image (6) facing outwards with respect to the container (1) on which the lid material (10) is used, and an inward facing sealing layer (8, 9) for closing off containers (1) having a shoulder region (4). The inward facing side of the substrate material (5) bears the sealing layer (8, 9) in the form of a printed image which corresponds to the shoulder region (4) of the container. The printed image which forms the sealing layer (8, 9) can be deposited on the substrate material (5) in the same printing machine in which the printed image (6) is deposited on the substrate material (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Claude A. Marbler, Raymond Gribling, Rene Parmentier, Eliane Pierron
  • Patent number: 6096358
    Abstract: Aseptically sterilized package of a liquid nutritional product manufactured by (a) providing a multi-layered plastic sheet having at least one polymeric structural layer and at least one polymeric barrier layer; (b) passing the sheet through a peroxide bath; (c) locating the sheet in a sterile environment; (d) applying heat a plurality of times to the sheet; (e) forming the sterilized sheet into a container having a body portion; (f) filling the body portion with a liquid nutritional product; (g) sealing the container with a tabbed, multi-layered closure; and (h) separating the sealed container from the remainder of the sheet. Preferably the liquid nutritional product is infant formula. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet is a laminate having two structural layers, each being about 45% of the laminate thickness and secured to either side of the barrier layer, which is about 5% of the laminate thickness, by an adhesive layer of about 2.5% of the laminate thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Brian K. Murdick, Lewis H. Sita, Todd A. Stevens, Vera T. Stavroff
  • Patent number: 6082566
    Abstract: A resealable liner and induction seal combination is disclosed. The combination has a transparent, removable, tamper-evident inner seal for a container and a liner that remains within a closure to provide a resealable, chemically resistant closure for the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Tech Seal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bahjat Z. Yousif, Paul Yousif, Sue A. Ross, Nicena Guevara
  • Patent number: 6082568
    Abstract: The present invention provides containers and container caps for salad dressings, ketchup, barbecue sauces and other dispensable contents, which have liners which indicate whether or not the containers have been tampered with, and which may be removed by the user without the use a knife or similar tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Therese A. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 6058636
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a closed lid on a water cooler containing potable water, and for labeling the water cooler, the apparatus comprising a safety seal tape and a safety tag. An outer side of the safety seal tape is imprinted with repeating indicia indicating that the lid is not to be removed from the cooler. An outer side of the safety tag is imprinted with indicia indicating that the cooler contains potable water. Inner sides of the tape and tag have a pressure sensitive adhesive which is capable of removably bonding the tape and tag to the water cooler. The tape is wrapped around the closed lid to secure the lid on the cooler, and the tag is adhered to the cooler, the tape and tag together providing notice that the cooler contains potable water and that the lid is not to be removed. The safety tag can be provided with various features which can be incorporated into a record keeping system for verifying compliance with applicable regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Floyd H. Hutchinson
    Inventor: Steve G. Colkmire
  • Patent number: 6012596
    Abstract: An adaptor cap for a container. The adaptor cap includes a skirt constructed to engage a fluid container and to retain the adaptor cap on the fluid container. The adaptor cap further includes a dome projecting outwardly from said skirt. The dome defines an interior chamber. The dome further defines a spike port providing fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior environment of the dome, the spike port being constructed to receive and retain a hollow spike therein. The dome also defines at least one vent aperture therethrough, the vent aperture providing fluid communication between the chamber and the exterior environment of the dome. The adaptor cap further includes a microbial filter mounted on the dome across the vent aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Richard K. Oglesbee, William J. Hook, Julie L. Soltesz
  • Patent number: 5992658
    Abstract: A closure for a bottle opening comprising a cap for the bottle opening, the cap adapted to be securely but removably fastened to the bottle opening, a seal underlying the cap and being sealed to the rim of the bottle opening and sealing the bottle opening to the cap, the seal having a rupturable portion for receiving a straw, and further wherein the bottle cap is removable with contents of the bottle being sealed to the environment by the seal which remains on the bottle rim when the bottle cap is removed, the seal being selectively releasable from the bottle rim, the user having the option of removing the seal from the bottle rim or inserting a straw through the rupturable portion to dispense the contents of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Joel Paul Berger
  • Patent number: 5967352
    Abstract: A container neck is used with a tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure. The neck has a multiple of four first helical threads on a neck stretch portion, and at least one external ratchet tooth on a locking wall portion below the neck stretch. The closure has an upper skirt having second helical threads mating with the first helical thread of the neck and a lower skirt with at least one internal ratchet tooth shaped and positioned to engage the external ratchet tooth when the closure is applied to the neck. The teeth formed on the skirt interior and neck exterior are arranged to provide at least one circumferentially extending stretch of the tamper-evident band where the teeth are not engaged. A line of weakness extending vertically through the disengaged stretch of the tamper-evident band is ruptured when the closure is unscrewed from the neck. The number of helical threads is preferably eight and, in any event, a multiple of four.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Repp, Laszlo G. Sandor, Jack L. Watts
  • Patent number: 5958531
    Abstract: A peelable and heat sealable lidstock material for steel end containers. The container of the invention is suitable for holding various foods, including instant coffee, powdered baby formula and soup mixes. The lidstock material includes a film containing an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer, polybutylene and a particulate inorganic filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: James A. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5954214
    Abstract: A hermetic cap for a container containing product packed in said container under vacuum. The cap has an orifice through it and a first frangible seal hermetically sealing the orifice on one surface of the cap and a second frangible seal hermetically sealing the orifice on an opposite surface of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Optimal Food Processing Research Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Guezennec, Jean-Pierre Lhommond, Jean-Francois Bardou
  • Patent number: 5937235
    Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction machine including a movable photoconductive member having an image bearing surface; devices for forming a latent image electrostatically on the image bearing surface; a developing assembly including toner particles for developing the latent image to be transferred onto a sheet; a moving device for moving waste toner particles from the image bearing surface and from the developing assembly; a toner particle cartridge having a waste toner receiving opening for receiving waste toner particles from the moving device; and a non-interfering dual-use cartridge sealing device for accessibly presealing the receiving opening for receiving waste toner particles, and for effectively resealing the receiving opening during shipping of the toner cartridge to a recycling location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy L. Huss, Paul M. Wegman
  • Patent number: 5934514
    Abstract: A dispensing valve closure (10) is provided which includes a closure body (12) and a cap (14). A self-sealing dispensing valve (16) is disposed within the closure (10) and is held in place with a retaining ring (18). An inner seal (20) is also placed within the closure (10) to allow for sealing on a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignees: AptarGroup, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: William H. Lampe, Inocencio Martinez, John F. Kaiser, John M. Hess, Jeffrey T. Randall, Christopher J. Wood
  • Patent number: 5927530
    Abstract: A liner for use with a threaded closure cap is formed of a relatively thin, flexible material having a central portion configured for placement in the cap abutting a top wall thereof. The liner has at least one tab extending therefrom. The tab has a leading edge portion that is formed so as to define an angle relative to a tangent line adjacent to a juncture of the tab and the central portion. The angle of the tab is configured to be the same as the angle of the threads in the closure cap so that the tab rests fully against the threads prior to application of the closure to an associated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Moore
  • Patent number: 5927532
    Abstract: A child resistant package including a container having a base wall, side wall and opened end and a plurality of projections on the side wall having downwardly extending notches. A plastic closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt and a plurality of lugs on the inner surface of the skirt for engaging the notches by relative rotation between the closure and the container. A plastic insert is interposed between the closure and the open end of the container and is normally retained by the closure before it is applied or reapplied to the container. The plastic insert has a central portion engaging the base wall of the closure, a peripheral portion engaging the open end of the container and an intermediate portion defining a spring between the central portion and the peripheral portion. Retaining beads on the closure retain the liner in position when the closure is removed. The liner may be sealed to the container as by induction sealing to seal the contents when the container is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Traub
  • Patent number: 5915578
    Abstract: A pull-top closure for a container and a method of using the container incorporating the closure. The container is of the type commonly used for motor oil. It includes a main body having a top wall, a spout projecting upwardly from the top wall adjacent to one side of the body and terminating in a mouth. The top wall slopes from the spout to an upper corner on the opposite side of the body from the spout. The closure includes a seal releasably sealed to the mouth of the spout, a stem connected to the seal on the opposite side thereof from the upper corner and doubled back over the seal so as to extend toward the upper corner, and a ring connected to the stem so that the ring can be extended over the top wall between the spout and the upper corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: David C. Burt
  • Patent number: 5915577
    Abstract: A seal system is provided for a container that includes a cap. The system provides a seal between the inside surface of the cap and the rim of the container as well as an exposed foil seal on the rim of the container. Removal of the cap from the container results in a cleavage of the seal system between the foil layer that is heat sealed to the rim and the backing structure leaving an exposed upper foil surface and the backing structure which remains attached to the inside surface of the cap. After the foil seal is removed by the consumer, the backing structure disposed on the inside surface of the cap provides a gasket-type seal between the cap and the rim of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Selig Sealing Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Morton Levine
  • Patent number: 5904259
    Abstract: An improved, tamper-evident label and bottle cap to be used with standard five gallon bottles; such bottle cap of the type having a central tube section capable of receiving a dispensing probe which is part of a dispensing system. A micro-thin, plastic label is heat-sealed to the face of the bottle cap, thereby protecting the central tube section from any external contaminants. An edge of the label is left unsealed to provide a means for peeling the label from the bottle cap when the bottle is to be installed. By virtue of the heat-sealing method of attachment, the tamper-evident label cannot be reattached to the face of the bottle cap, or any other surface, once it is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding
  • Patent number: 5887738
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure which is used with a specially shaped container neck is provided with a foil liner. Once the closure is applied to the neck, the foil liner is sealed to the neck of the container. The foil liner includes a tab for removal of the seal disc from the neck. The closure is characterized by the absence of a second liner between the top of the cap and the foil liner. The closure, neck and the foil liner are formed to inhibit adherence of the tab to the cap interior and the neck exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Bietzer, Rawson L. Chenault, Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5887747
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for covering a container opening with a container cover (11), which is peelably connected to the container rim (7) surrounding the container opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Tscheulin-Rothal GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Burklin, Hermann Drussel, Gottfried Haller
  • Patent number: 5881899
    Abstract: An adhesive injection apparatus comprising: an adhesive reservoir tube having a flange portion; a connection cap having a pressing portion, a large-diameter portion, and a plurality of axially extending protrusions formed side by side circumferentially on an inner wall of the large-diameter portion, the large-diameter portion having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the flange portion of the adhesive reservoir tube; and a nozzle having a flange portion; wherein when the adhesive reservoir tube and the nozzle portion are connected to each other, the flange portion of the adhesive reservoir tube is interposed between the pressing portion of the connection cap and the flange portion of the nozzle so that the flange portion of the adhesive reservoir tube is pressed by the pressing portion of the connection cap and the flange portion of the nozzle in a condition that the plurality of axially extending protrusions of the connection cap are in contact with an outer edge of the flange portion of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sho-Bond Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Suzuki, Yoshihiko Miyoshi, Yukihiko Okada
  • Patent number: 5868264
    Abstract: A closure assembly for wine bottles includes a bottle having a cylindrical opening in the neck, a funnel shaped surface connecting to the cylindrical opening and a flat planar rim on the outside of the bottle. A secondary closure in the shape of an inverted hat fits over the rim and engages a glass by means of a thermoplastic adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Fleming Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory P. Fulford, Richard H. Swain, Douglas P. Ward, Judy A. Zeigler
  • Patent number: 5860544
    Abstract: A tamper-evident heat induction liner for sealing a container includes at least four stacked layers and exhibits improved resistance to moisture migration. A heat seal polymer layer is provided for induction bonding against a container opening. A moisture-impermeable foil layer is secured against the polymer layer opposite the container opening. Tear-resistant backing layer is provided, and is secured to a low cohesive strength layer which is disposed between the backing layer and the foil layer. The low cohesive layer splits when the backing layer is lifted, leaving the foil layer and polymer layer with a portion of the split low cohesive strength layer covering the container opening in a tamper-evident, rupturable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Selig Sealing Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Brucker
  • Patent number: 5823377
    Abstract: A plastic screw cap for the closure of a plastic container is provided for the closure of a container made of plastics. The screw cap has a simple configuration similar to corresponding closures for metal containers, but nevertheless ensures stable and sealed seating of the closure on the container opening. The screw cap is provided with an extension, extending radially over the side of the screw cap, which is made from a material which can be welded to the material from which the container lid is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Jacob Berg GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gunter Jakob Krautkramer
  • Patent number: 5819976
    Abstract: A promotional closure includes a sealed promotion-receiving member in the form of a compartment positioned generally within an outer closure cap, for disposition within an associated container. The sealed configuration of the promotion compartment desirably acts to isolate the promotional element therein from the contents of the container. Use on a container having carbonated contents is particularly facilitated by an arrangement by which a plastic film cover member which seals the compartment is sealed to an annular flange of the compartment to permit predetermined delamination and release of gas pressure from within the interior of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International
    Inventors: Ted W. Boehm, David L. Cerny, Wendell D. Willingham, Daniel J. Denman, Sheldon L. Wilde, Stephen W. McBride, Hugh C. Urmston, Ralph H. Whitney, David E. Babcock, Joseph M. Ladina
  • Patent number: 5806707
    Abstract: A removable inner compartment promotional closure includes a plastic closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. A circular, resilient liner is positioned in the cap, and has a retaining element extending therefrom. A removable compartment member is positioned in the closure cap in engagement with the retaining element. The compartment defines an interior compartment adapted to receive promotional indicia, such as a promotional game piece, therein. The compartment is adapted to release from the cap after the cap is removed from the container. A sealed cover element may be positioned to extend over and close the compartment member, to isolate the compartment from the contents of the container. The promotional closure is used in conjunction with a simulated promotional closure, which configured to be is indistinguishable from the promotional closure cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted W. Boehm, David L. Cerny, Wendell D. Willingham, Daniel J. Denman, Sheldon L. Wilde, Stephen W. McBride, Hugh C. Urmston, Ralph H. Whitney
  • Patent number: 5806699
    Abstract: A venting closure for use with an associated container includes a closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion. The closure is used with a pressurized container having a threaded neck portion defining a land surface at the top thereof. The closure includes a liner therein adjacent and in spaced relation to the top wall, which liner is positioned between the top wall portion and the land surface and defines a pressure release region with the top wall portion. The top wall portion includes an outwardly extending annular bead-like protecting element having a depending inner wall and a contiguous outer wall. The inner wall is oriented generally transverse to a top wall plane. A flexible portion having a piercing element extending inwardly therefrom toward the liner is positioned centrally of the annular protecting bead and is movable so that piercing element contacts and fractures the liner to release pressure from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventors: Len Ekkert, Jeffrey Ullrich, David N. Moore
  • Patent number: 5803284
    Abstract: A sterile closure assembly for a container or vial includes an elastomeric closure for sealing the open top of a medicament container. The elastomeric closure features a plug for sealing the open top of the container and a top surface facing away from the open top of the container. A washer is secured in surface contact with the top surface of the closure. The washer defines an opening that delimits an access area on the top surface of the closure for access by a fluid delivery device such as a syringe. A membrane is removably secured over the washer and hermetically encloses the access area of the elastomeric closure. The sterile closure assembly can be provided pre-assembled in a sterile state to assure the sterility of the top surface of the closure, obviating the need to sterilize the top surface of the closure, such as with an alcohol solution, prior to use of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Grimard
  • Patent number: 5797506
    Abstract: A closure for sealing a container having an opening covered by a seal. The closure includes a peripheral wall and a nub extending upwardly from the top of the cap. The nub is radiused and includes a rounded peripheral edge. The nub also includes a planar outer surface facing the peripheral wall. The size, location and geometric shape of the nub are selected so that when the closure is inverted, placed over the opening, and rotated 360 degrees or more, the nub will tear the seal only partially away from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley P. Lehmkuhl, Mark F. Mettler
  • Patent number: 5797509
    Abstract: A liner for use with a closure package and an associated container includes a pull tab that is crimped so that the tab remains in place during assembly of the closure package. The closure package includes a cap having a top wall portion and a depending skirt portion. The cap has an engaging element formed therein, that is engageable with an engaging portion of the container. The liner is formed of a laminate having a resilient material and an adhesive layer. The liner includes a central portion configured for placement in the cap abutting the top wall portion and a tab extending from the central portion. The tab is folded over so as to rest, at least in part, on the central portion. The tab and central portion define a hinge region which defines a hinge line at a juncture of the tab and the central portion. The hinge region has a deformation area formed therein, in at least two directions relative to the hinge line, to lock the tab in position resting, at least in part, on the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Crim Fitch
  • Patent number: 5797510
    Abstract: Plastics material packaging includes a receptacle having a bottom and a sidewall which present an annular rim around its edge remote from the bottom, said rim providing an area for sealing a closure membrane, and the packaging further includes a cover applied to the receptacle over said membrane which it encloses. The cover is secured to the receptacle by a permanent connection that can be disconnected when the packaging is opened only by being broken, which connection is advantageously constituted by a discrete number of breakable tampering indicators. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing such packaging for long-term storage of food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Compagnie Gervais Danone
    Inventors: Andre Carrier, Bruneau Couvrat-Desvergnes, Nicolas de Lambert, Bernard Pommaret
  • Patent number: 5779073
    Abstract: A cap for the neck of a corked glass bottle constructed as a single piece by stamping a thin sheet of material having one or more layers. The sheet has at least one gas-impervious layer. The cap includes a planar portion, the lower surface of which contacts and remains unadhered to the upper surface of the neck. Depending from the periphery of the planar portion is an annular skirt. A heat-sensitive adhesive adheres the inner surface of the skirt to the annular outer surface of the neck upon heating. In a second embodiment, the adhesive layer covers the entire inner and lower surfaces of the cap. A disk is adhered to the inner surface to prevent the upper surface of the neck from contacting the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Alsacienne d'Aluminium
    Inventor: Didier Milhomme
  • Patent number: 5720401
    Abstract: An inner seal for sealing containers by heat induction, especially when the inner seal may be in contact with the contents of the container during sealing. The inner seal includes a metallic foil layer which heats up almost instantaneously, and a foam layer which thermally insulates the foil layer from the contents of the container which may be in contact with the inner seal. The foam layer is compressed, and is consequently a poorer thermal insulator, where it contacts the land area of the neck of the container to which it is being sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Moore
  • Patent number: 5709310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for opening a receptacle having a peripheral rim on which a capsule is head sealed. The capsule includes a heat-sealable bottom layer and a metal top layer that adheres to the heat-sealable layer. Above the capsule, there is provided a tongue constituted by a metal sheet suitable for completely covering the metal layer of the capsule. The sheet is bonded to the metal layer in a lateral segment by a layer of adhesive material that adheres to the metal layer and to the metal sheet. The capsule is peeled off the receptacle by pulling the tongue upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Alsacienne d'Aluminium
    Inventor: Laurent Kretz
  • Patent number: 5704501
    Abstract: A container closure assembly including a container, a barrier layer and a closure member. The barrier layer and closure member completely cover the access opening to the container and the barrier layer includes a weakened portion thereof comprising a crystallized, brittle portion therein which is broken open on removing the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: EV Family Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Emery I. Valyi
  • Patent number: 5702015
    Abstract: A seal for a container is provided with a method of manufacturing the same. The seal has a unitary pull-tab portion having with a pull-tab formed therein. A layer of polyester film preferably is secured to the unitary member over the pull-tab. A foil seal portion preferably is secured to the pull-tab portion and constructed for securing around the opening of the container. The pull-tab portion preferably is formed of a first layer of a plastic material fused to a second layer of the plastic material by extruding the one onto the other with a release layer therebetween such that an unfused portion of the first layer forms the pull-tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Selig Sealing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Giles, William Bennington, Steven Brucker
  • Patent number: 5688544
    Abstract: A container for packaging a particulate product under pressure or vacuum conditions with an easy opening closure structure which allows venting prior to uncovering of the product opening. In one form, an easy peel flexible lid covers a shelf area and a product opening in the top of the can. Peeling back the lid first uncovers the vent opening, permitting the flow of gases but preventing the flow of particulate product, and then uncovers the product opening. Alternatively, the closure structure may be formed by multiple layers of a flexible material, the lower layer of which has the vent opening which is uncovered by peeling back the top layer, after which the product opening is uncovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart L. Bolton, Michael E. Delonis
  • Patent number: 5673807
    Abstract: A container and closure assembly includes a container including a bottom portion and an encircling wall extending therefrom and defining a body portion. The body portion has an open end with a span equal to or different than the span of the body portion. The assembly also includes a removable cap liner including a seal for sealably engaging the container at its open end in a manner which traps fluids in the container and a removable cap which substantially covers the cap liner and thereby the open end of the container. The cap is adapted for reclosing the container after it is removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Emery I. Valyi
  • Patent number: 5669521
    Abstract: A sealing cover for an opening of a container has a first foil that seals the opening of the container. A metallic foil, especially aluminum foil, is also provided for inductive sealing of the first foil at the lip of the opening, along with a removable sealing lid that is releasably screwed onto the container. A releasable adhesive control layer positioned between the first foil and the metallic foil, enables the metallic foil to be detached from the first foil after the sealing lid has been removed. An elastic layer is provided between the sealing lid and the metallic foil. Between the metallic foil and the elastic layer is a separation layer, which becomes liquid at induction temperatures, and a suction layer. During the induction process, the latter absorbs the liquified substance of the separation layer. The adhesive control layer does not have such an adjoining suction layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Alfelder Kunststoffwerke Herm. Meyer GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz-Rudolf Wiening, Horst Trombach
  • Patent number: 5664694
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure which is used with a specially shaped container neck is provided with a foil liner. Once the closure is applied to the neck, the foil liner is sealed to the neck of the container. The foil liner includes a tab for removal of the seal disc from the neck. The closure is characterized by the absence of a second liner between the top of the cap and the foil liner. The closure, neck and the foil liner are formed to inhibit adherence of the tab to the cap interior and the neck exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Bietzer, Rawson L. Chenault, Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5634504
    Abstract: A venting and flow control closure device includes a disc having a peripheral sealing area attachable to a rim which encircles a dispensing opening of a liquid container and a repeating vented fracture pattern formed on the disc and extending from one edge to an opposite edge of the sealing area of the disc. The disc is made substantially of a metal foil material. The repeating fracture pattern is formed of a plurality of alternating vents and rupturable bridges. Each vent has a length substantially greater than the length of each bridge. The repeating fracture pattern has a central portion zig-zag in shape with peaks and valleys terminating in a plurality of round holes, and a pair of opposite side portions extending outwardly from the round holes of the central portion in substantially perpendicular relation to an imaginary line dividing the zig-zag pattern of the central portion into halves with all of the peaks in one half and all of the valleys in the other half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Herman R. Chandler
  • Patent number: 5634567
    Abstract: This relates to an end closure for conventional types of containers which may be in the form of glass or plastic jars and bottles or in the form of specially formed metal containers having a folded outwardly projecting annular rim at the top thereof. The end closures are constructed so as to be snapped in place on the containers thus retaining the closures on and keeping the containers closed by a mechanical interlock between the respective closure and container. Further, the end closures have heat-bondable surfaces which when subjected to low temperature heat, such as by heating the rims of the containers or by heating the packaged product within a retort cooker, the heat-bondable surfaces of the end closures will bond to the touching surfaces of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Polystar Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Ihab Hekal
  • Patent number: 5626929
    Abstract: A peelable and heat sealable lidstock material comprises a metal or polymer substrate laminated with a film comprising a mixture of a butene-1 and ethylene copolymer, an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer, an inorganic filler and optionally, a propylene homopolymer or copolymer. The filler makes up at least about 18 wt. % of the mixture and is preferably talc having an average particle size of about 1-2 microns and a carboxylic acid surface coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: James A. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5613617
    Abstract: A sealed container with lip and bonded covering, having a circular top, is disclosed. A tab is provided for, within the limitations of a circular top, which allows the seal to be easily opened by hand. For example, the circular cut may be positioned so as to extend to one side of the container more than it does on the opposite side so that the tab is created from a portion of the covering on the extending side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Luis J. Da Vitoria Lobo