Receptacle Interior Communicable With Exterior With Closure In Applied Position (e.g., Vented) Patents (Class 215/307)
  • Patent number: 6168037
    Abstract: A resealable vial featuring a connector assembly having a membrane and a pusher for selectively opening or sealing the fluid passageway between the bottle and the connector end of a luer hub. The connector assembly includes a body disposed on said bottle, and means for communicating fluid such as a luer connector hub which may be separately provided with the body or formed integrally therewith. The luer connector hub features a connector end open for access by medical delivery instrument, and an opposed end which is disposed for fluid communication with a recess defined by the body. The body defines a recess having a fluid path with the open top of the bottle. A membrane, preferably formed from an elastomeric material, is secured across both the recess and the open top of the bottle, and may be retained between the top surface of the bottle and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France, S.A.
    Inventor: Jean Pierre Grimard
  • Patent number: 6158604
    Abstract: One form of a cap for a container includes an internal part and an external part relatively movable with respect to one another among closed, intermediate and open cap positions. Complementary structures protrude from the internal and external parts for dictating relative positions of the internal and external parts as the parts are initially joined together. Interengaging elements on the internal and external parts secure a selected portion of one of the internal and external parts to the other after joining the parts together. A breakable seal between the selected portion of the one of the internal and external parts and the remainder of the one of the internal and external parts, when broken, allows the internal and external parts to move relative to one another. Variations are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Constancio Larguia, Sr.
    Inventors: Constancio Larguia, Sr., Constancio Larguia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6152318
    Abstract: A storage container with self-retaining lid includes a lid and a storage container. The structure for attaching the lid can be molded on to the bottom of the storage container, molded to the top of the lid, or molded to the lid and the bottom of the storage container. There are several preferred embodiments of the self-retaining lid. In a first preferred embodiment, the lid has a rim with a recessed cavity for firmly receiving a lip of the storage container. In a second preferred embodiment, a bottom of the storage container has a lip which is sized to be firmly inserted into a sealing cavity of the lid. In a third preferred embodiment, a bottom of the storage container has a plurality of balls which are disposed to mate with a plurality of sockets on the lid. In a fourth preferred embodiment, a plurality of hooks are molded into at least two sides of the container and sized to receive the peripheral edge of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Jack A. Walker
  • Patent number: 6149866
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure device and a method for performing an assay of a sample using the closure device. The closure device, mountable on the mouth of a test vessel, comprises a body part (1) with an axially passing cylindrical bore. The bore is covered at one end with an openable lid (7). The closure device further includes a plunger (3), slidably mounted in the bore for the formation of a sealed reagent storage chamber (9) in the space remaining between the closed lid and the plunger. The inner wall of the bore (2) is provided with at least one groove (4), whose depth is so deep as not to be within the reach of the outer diameter of the plunger (3). The groove extends from exterior end of the bore, over such a length as to maintain a gas flow communication between said reagent storage chamber (9) and the exterior end of the cylindrical bore when the plunger (3) is in a partially inserted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Orion-yhtyma Oyj
    Inventors: Juhani Luotola, Henry Backman, Tapani Hellman, Kauko Kahma, Antti Kaplas
  • Patent number: 6123212
    Abstract: A closure for a container having carbonated or otherwise pressurized contents includes a top wall portion, and an annular depending skirt portion. An internal thread formation mates with a like thread formation of an associated container. To facilitate gas venting during closure removal, the container includes a plurality of axially extending vent grooves. Release of gas pressure during closure removal is facilitated by providing the closure with at least one, and preferably a plurality of rotation-inhibiting projections positioned adjacent to the internal thread formation. The projections interferingly engage with the vent grooves of the associated container, thus providing increasing frictional drag during closure removal to permit dissipation of gas pressure from within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International
    Inventors: Mark N. Russell, Mark A. Powell
  • Patent number: 6089390
    Abstract: A container closer (10) particularly for use on screw top containers such as carbonated beverage containers, the container closure (10) having a generally cylindrical continuous tamper evident band (11) joined by a plurality of frangible bridges (13) to the free edge of a skirt (16) of the closure (10). The band (11) has a segmented internal rib (18) which engages an external retaining flange of the container when the closure (10) is applied to the container so that on removal of the closure (10) the tamper evident band (11) remains on the container or is visually clearly damaged by removal of the closure (10) from the container. The band (11) is provided with longitudinal reinforcement by projections (25 and 28) or other areas of thickening (26) to provide the band (11) with longitudinal stiffness while still permitting it to expand over the retaining flange on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Closures and Packaging Services Limited
    Inventors: Rodney Malcolm Druitt, Charles Martin Tansey
  • Patent number: 6082575
    Abstract: A beverage container is disclosed which includes a stackable cup and a stackable cover which have cooperating thread forms for selectively securing the cover to the cup in a substantially liquid-tight relationship. The cover has a beverage dispensing opening and a cap which is selectively operable to open and close the opening to prevent beverage in the container from being poured out of the opening and to selectively allow beverage to be poured or drunk from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrzej Skoskiewicz, Elisha Tal, Rickson Sun, Patrick Gilmore, Said Farha, Eileen Bravmann, Roby Stancel, Scott Stropkay, Axel Unger, Gary Shigeru Natsume, Robert C. Meyer, Adriana Colombo
  • Patent number: 6041982
    Abstract: A beverage container having a base and a cap threaded thereto, and which may be used with a spout mounted to the container mouth. The cap includes a shoulder section having a rim contact section to seal to the container upper rim when the spout is not employed. The shoulder section also includes a spout contact section having a cam surface. The spout includes a follower ridge which is engaged by the cam surface to retain the spout in position as the cap is rotated for removal. This permits the spout to vent any accumulated pressure from a stored carbonated beverage, and thus prevents the spout from being disengaged from the base due to the accumulated pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Victor J. J. Cautereels, Dimitri M. C. J. Backaert
  • Patent number: 6015054
    Abstract: The invention provides container closure assemblies, especially for carbonated beverage containers, having substantially helical second thread segment (20) with a profiled lower thread surface (24). The profiled lower thread surface (24) includes a first, lower region (28) with a low pitch and a second region (30) with a steep pitch. The thread (20) may also include a step feature (32) to block unscrewing of the closure at an intermediate position where gas venting can take place, and a third region (34) of the said lower surface having a low pitch adjacent to the step. The closures are easy to apply and remove, and do not blow off unpredictably or uncontrollably under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Beeson and Sons Limited
    Inventors: Roger Milner King, Witney Milner King
  • Patent number: 6006930
    Abstract: For improving the venting behavior of containers with beverages containing carbon dioxide, a container finish (1) and a closure (11) is provided with a twin-start thread. The thread comprises in each case two threads (3, 13) which extend over an angle of 240.degree. to less than 360.degree., preferably 280.degree., and which are arranged so as to be displaced at 180.degree.. In this way, initial or first sections (5), in which the threads (3) overlap each other vertically, are formed on the outside surface (2) of the container finish (1), as well as second sections (6) in which, vertically, only one thread (3) is arranged. On the inside surface (12) of the closure (11), initial or first sections (15) are formed in which the threads (13) overlap each other vertically, as well as second sections (16) in which, vertically, only one thread (13) is arranged. In each of the sections (5, 6, 15, 16), at least one venting recess (4, 14) is arranged per thread, said venting recess interrupting the threads (3, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Crown Cork AG
    Inventors: Lino Dreyer, Richard Jauslin
  • Patent number: 6003702
    Abstract: A resealable vial featuring a fluid access device having a membrane for selectively opening or sealing a fluid passageway between the bottle and the fluid access device. The vial includes a body disposed on said bottle. The fluid access device can be configured as a spike assembly, a needle assembly, or a luer lock assembly, and features a hollowed rod in sliding, fluid-tight relation to an orifice defined by the body. A membrane, preferably formed from an elastomeric material, is secured across both the orifice and the open top of the bottle, and may be retained between the top surface of the bottle and the body. The membrane preferably includes a central area sealing the orifice from the open top of the bottle, with one or more fluid passages defined on a portion of the membrane outside of the central area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Grimard, Jean-Claude Thibault
  • Patent number: 5992660
    Abstract: An improvement in a unit closure for a vial container, which helps ensure the smooth depression of the unit closure with a relatively small force from the air-expelling posture to the hermetically sealing posture and eliminate a fear of destroying the unit closure and container in depressing the protector whereby hermetic sealing and tamperproof are achieved. To this end, the locking means is of flexible locking tongues arranged such that they are inclined diametrally inwardly of the skirt and upwardly towards the ceiling of the protector, whereby, upon depressing the unit closure to its hermetically sealing posture, the locking tongues deflect radially outward of the skirt and, on completion of the depression of the unit closure, the locking tongues snap resiliently into place underneath a flange of the mouth of the container to hold firmly the unit closure in the hermetically sealing posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Taisei Kako Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hideo Miura, Kenji Araki, Ikuo Araki
  • Patent number: 5975381
    Abstract: A thermoformed dispensing cap with a stopper which is fitted on a container. The cap includes an elongated dispensing nozzle having a free end which is pierced at its center with an orifice for dispensing a product in the container. A stopper closes the nozzle and is formed of a thermoplastic material different from that which forms the cap. The stopper has a cylindrical portion surmounted by an approximately frustroconical portion. This portion has an outer surface which is an identical replica of the outer surface of the frustroconical portion formed by the free end of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Christian Revenu
  • Patent number: 5972292
    Abstract: A lens case for disinfecting, cleaning, or storing contact lenses is described that provides a sealing and venting system for allowing the release of gas while avoiding liquid leakage. The venting means allows venting of gas when internal pressure increases, while maintaining a seal that is substantially gas and liquid-impermeable at other times. The lens case includes a cap securable to a container barrel and a mating cap. The venting of gas occurs via a tortuous-path mechanism resulting from appropriate surface roughness being produced on at least one of a pair of mating surfaces forming a seal between the cap and the container. In a preferred embodiment, a relatively roughened surface is produced on a cap flange that is in the shape of a circular lip downwardly extending from the inner surface of the cap. The mating surface of the cap flange sealingly presses against the rim portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventor: Gaetano DeMeo
  • Patent number: 5954957
    Abstract: A cap are disclosed that can be attached to at least two of the following hydraulic fittings found on a medical device: a blood port according to DIN 13 090, part 3, comprising a male DIN nipple and surrounding female threaded collar; a male DIN nipple according to DIN 13 090, part 3; a tapered male barb nipple; and a dialysate port according to DIN 58 352, part 2. When fully attached to one of such ports, the cap serves to maintain an internal condition, such a sterility, of the medical device until time of use. A preferred embodiment of the cap comprises a female receptacle adapted to receive one of the foregoing male nipples, a male projection adapted to be inserted into the dialysate port, a manually grippable portion facilitating manual attachment and detachment of the cap, and a channel or analogous feature defined by the female receptacle for venting of the medical device through the male nipple whenever the cap is fully attached to the male nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Althin Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Leon Chin-Loy, Benjamin Fernandez
  • Patent number: 5947311
    Abstract: A plastic closure and method of making such a closure for a container that has a finish with a top surface portion, a cylindrical outer surface portion, and a curved portion at the juncture of the top surface portion and the outer surface portion. The closure includes a base wall, a peripheral skirt having an inner surface and threads on the inner surface of the skirt for engaging the container. The base wall has an inner planar surface and a compression molded liner is compression molded and bonded on the planar surface of the plastic closure. The peripheral portion of the liner has an outer annular inclined surface. The inclined surface tapers radially inwardly away from the base wall of the closure and is positioned for engaging the top surface portion of the finish and the inner surface of the container and is out of engagement with the outer surface of the finish of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Gregory
  • Patent number: 5928935
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a biological specimen container assembly for the safe storage and periodic examination of biological specimens therein, which includes an elongated vial having a primary chamber with a first open end and a second closed end. The second closed end on the vial has a secondary chamber therein of generally rectilinear shape in cross-section. A valve having a first end and a second end, has its second end matable with the first open end of the vial, the valve having an adjustably openable and closable bore extending longitudinally therethrough. A hard cap has a cavity therein which is matable over the first end of the valve. An end cap is matable over the hard cap and the valve, the end cap being arranged to maintain sterility of the end cap, the valve and the first end of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventors: William Alexander Reuss, Jr., William Charles Mers Kelly, David Young Piteups
  • Patent number: 5899349
    Abstract: A cap assembly for use with a centrifuge container includes a stopper (plug) member to provide a fluid-tight seal of an open end of the container. The stopper member includes a channel therethrough. A lid receives the combination of a stopper fitted into the open end of the container. Depending portions on the underside of the lid press upon the stopper to ensure a reliable seal of the container. In addition, the depending portions are adapted to close off an opening of the channel when the lid and stopper are assembled. Removal of the lid opens the channel allowing air to flow into the container, and in this way any vacuum that develops in the container during a centrifugation run is released by such action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Q. Moore
  • Patent number: 5893476
    Abstract: A closure for sealing a sample tube and a method for establishing vacuum conditions within the tube while the closure is loosely positioned on the tube are provided. The closure comprises: (a) an inner stopper portion for insertion into the tube; and (b) an outer skirt portion for enclosing the tube, the skirt portion including at least two radially inwardly directed extensions for loosely positioning the closure on the tube, the extensions defining at least two passageways therebetween for exchanging gases between the interior of the tube and the surrounding atmosphere when the extensions are positioned on the tube. Preferably, the inner stopper portion and the outer skirt portion are integrally made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Estar Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Aaron Esteron
  • Patent number: 5878898
    Abstract: An overcap assembly for a fluid container (12), such as a baby bottle, protects the nipple (14), or other fluid dispenser, from contamination and from leaking when the overcap (18) is in the protective, covering position. The overcap has an opening (41) in its top through which the nipple extends once a lid (43) has been removed and the overcap has been shifted from a stable protective position surrounding the nipple to a stable enabling position exposing the nipple for use without removing the overcap from the collar (16). The lid is preferably tethered, hinged or otherwise connected to the overcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Joanne Shefflin
  • Patent number: 5871111
    Abstract: In the case of over-tightening of the closure-cap on a beverage bottle (through turning in the wrong direction) there is the risk that, due to the high internal pressure, not only will the thread jump, but also that the cap will be ejected directly from the container. In order to avoid this risk, the invention proposes a screwable closure-cap with security against over-tightening. This cap possesses a ramp element (3) on the end of the thread oriented towards the cap-base, said ramp element being able to engage with the thread-start of the container mouth in the case of over-tightening of the closure-cap. As a result, the cap-wall in the area of the ramp element will be forced outwards in the case of over-tightening so that jumping of the thread in this region will be facilitated. In this way, jumping of the thread on one side only--on the ramp element side--will be achieved when over-tightening is continued, so that ejection of the closure-cap will not be possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Crown Cork AG
    Inventors: Georg Pfefferkorn, Michael Kirchgessner
  • Patent number: 5871110
    Abstract: A resealable transfer assembly for a container such as a bottle or vial featuring a membrane for selectively opening or sealing a fluid path between the bottle and a medical delivery device introduced into the assembly. The assembly includes a body disposed on the bottle, and a luer connector hub which may be separately provided with the body or formed integrally therewith. A free plug rests in a cavity defined within the luer connector hub. The free plug includes an orifice dimensioned to accept a luer tip associated with the medical delivery device. A membrane, preferably formed from an elastomeric material, is secured across both the opposed end of the luer connector hub and the open top of the bottle, and may be retained between the top surface of the bottle and the body. The membrane preferably includes a central area sealing the opposed end of the luer connector hub from the open top of the bottle, with one or more fluid openings defined on a portion of the membrane outside of the central area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Grimard, Herbert Jansen
  • Patent number: 5853096
    Abstract: The present invention is a pressure equalizing and foam eliminating cap for a container. Pressure equalization and foam elimination is accomplished by designing the cap so that it can be rotated between a fully closed position, a gas venting position and a fully open position. This is accomplished in several ways. A first embodiment includes a spring biased, gas separation membrane between the cap and the mouth of the container. A second embodiment includes a finely, transversely perforated, annular plug on the underside of the cap and a seal between the plug and the interior of the neck. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the perforations may be larger and protected by a gas separation membrane. A third embodiment is similar to the second but incorporates two seals, one above and one below the perforations. In this embodiment also, the perforations may be larger and protected by a gas separation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventors: Maya H. Bartur, Meir Bartur
  • Patent number: 5836364
    Abstract: A refillable bottle constructed to be capable of holding fluids above atmospheric pressure has a threaded cap. The top of the threaded cap has at least one valve having a single resealable passageway for filling, pressurizing and emptying the container. The valve is capable of being opened by a probe which engages the valve and pushes into the cap, the valve being closed when not acted upon by the probe. A plurality of vent holes are positioned in the top so as to be adjacent the mouth of the bottle when the cap is placed thereon. A releasable sealing ring is sized and positioned between the mouth and the cap so as to close the vent holes when the cap is fully threaded onto the neck and allow gas within the container to escape through the vent holes when the cap is loose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: John W. Burton
  • Patent number: 5833088
    Abstract: A closure cap for sealing containers without gas bubbles displaces some of the contents of the container when fitted onto the neck of the container and at the same time allows any trapped gas to escape through one or more vents before the closure cap engages in the closure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim KG
    Inventors: Heinrich Kladders, Bernhard Freund, Wulf Bachtler, Joachim Jaeger, Joachim Eicher
  • Patent number: 5833090
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a metal lid constituted by a circular panel, endowed with downward short turned rim or skirt and provided in its inner peripheral circumference a circular groove containing a sealing gasket and having a circular concave depression disposed preferably in a central portion of the panel, wherein there is formed a central hole and wherein in a lateral portion or sector of this circular depressed area is applied a film of high-adherence varnish, being furthermore filled up with an adherent thermoplastic and melting material-former of the seal that penetrates in the hole, forming a short vertical rod, which does not extravasate the hole and remains with its end close and at the same plane of the internal and inferior surface of the panel of the lid without forcing any portion or residue of the material in the inferior part of the hole and further wherein, the film of high-adherence varnish, applied in a lateral part or sector of the circular depression, allows the partial retention o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Metalgrafica Rojek Ltda.
    Inventor: Arnaldo Rojek
  • 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: 5819964
    Abstract: A lyophilization closure assembly for a container or vial is disclosed. The lyophilization closure assembly is self-supporting with the container and may be employed with the container during a lyophilization process, eliminating the need for a separate crimping operation outside of the sterile environment in which lyophilization is conducted. The lyophilization closure assembly includes a body with a skirt disposed around the rim of the container. The skirt features one or more deflectable abutments and one or more deflectable latches positionable about the rim of the container, and defines one or more vapor passages. An elastomeric closure is retained within the body for sealing the open top of the 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. The body defines an opening over the elastomeric closure that delimits an access area on the top surface of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Jean Pierre Grimard
  • 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: 5803286
    Abstract: The invention concerns a plastic screwable closure cap which possesses a bung type internal seal (4) for sealing a closeable container. The internal seal comprises a narrow sealing portion with an insert portion (6) immediately beneath, said insert portion serving to centre and gently introduce the internal seal. In order to attain the earliest possible venting of the closure cap when screwing off, venting recesses are provided on the insert zone (6). These prevent the insert portion from sealing the container, and enable the release of gas from the container as soon as the sealing portion comes out of engagement with the container mouth. The side surfaces of the vent recesses also serves as friction surfaces, in order to generally flatten irregularities on the container mouth before the actual sealing portion is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork AG
    Inventors: George Pfefferkorn, Michael Kirchgessner
  • Patent number: 5803281
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to synthetic resinous container closures having frustoconical sealing surfaces which cooperate with corresponding sealing surfaces on a container finish to effect a gas-type seal. In one embodiment, the closure is particularly suited for use in sealing containers having pressurized contents such as carbonated drinks and the like. In a second embodiment, the closure is of threaded type enabling the reclosing and sealing of the engaged container after an initial opening. This embodiment including a separable tamper-indicating ring. In a third embodiment, the closure is adapted to be used in conjunction with an aerosol dispenser to exclude ambient moisture from the area of the dispensing nozzle prior to first use, and to form a second seal after the closure has been removed for first usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Oz Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Towns
  • Patent number: 5785196
    Abstract: The closure cap of a closure and container package for a pressurized liquid is designed with a sealing flange which depends from the cap top at an angle to a sealing location on the container wall so that an increase in container pressure will increase the sealing force of the flange against the container wall. A pressure relief passage is provided downstream of the sealing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Rexam Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5759501
    Abstract: A container for institutional detergents, preferably tablets, includes a rigid large screened base and a flexible plastic film sidewall heat bonded to the peripheral surface of the base. The container is filled, preferably from its top portion, with tableted detergent and closed with a single heat seal along the top surface of the wall of the container. The screen surface is then closed with a removable, peel-off seal or removable cap. The upper portion of the container will include a handle which makes it easy to transport the container and place it into a dispenser for use. In use, a water nozzle will spray upwards onto the surface of the screen base through the holes in the screen, dissolving detergent and allowing the solution to pass downwardly to a drain, which directs it to a ware washing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Diversey Lever, Inc.
    Inventors: James Livingston, Donald Wright, Tiziano J. Bellon, Kenneth James Roach
  • Patent number: 5746337
    Abstract: A container or bottle with a cap for resealing where the seal is produced between the upper lip and, if needed, the lateral lip of the container while the interior closing surface of the cap is provided with a sealing mass which can be deformed within limits and which, after opening and resealing of the container with the cap can be deformed to allow venting from the interior of the container by the provision of a depression formed on the lip of the container and into which the sealing mass will extend to effect sealing but which, after opening, and repositioning of the cap relative to the container, will affect only partial sealing of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: HVB Innova AG
    Inventor: Henri Haist
  • Patent number: 5711306
    Abstract: An apparatus to directly take a sample of expired air from a subject which utilizes a stopper (3) with two distinct position. When the stopper (3) is in the upper position, it allows air blown in via the cannula (6) to scavenge the interior space of the tube (1) until the control (11,12, or 13) has indicated a sufficient volume. The cannula (6) is then pulled by the operator so that a blind stop (7) obturates the opening of an evacuation pipe (10) connected to the control. The stopper is then moved to a lower position to seal the sample of air in the tube (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: INBIOMED International
    Inventor: Roger Guilluy
  • Patent number: 5711876
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing bubbles in a filter housing of a coating equipment includes a cover coupled to the filter housing and including a bottom, an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a drain portion, the bottom of the cover having an inclined surface at an angle, wherein the drain portion is above the inlet portion and the outlet portion on the inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: L G Semicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keun Woung Lee
  • Patent number: 5702019
    Abstract: A resealable assembly for a container such as a bottle or vial featuring a membrane for selectively opening or sealing a fluid path between the bottle and a medical delivery device introduced into the assembly. The assembly includes a body disposed on said bottle, and a luer connector hub which may be separately provided with the body or formed integrally therewith. The luer connector hub features a connector end open for access by the medical delivery device, and an opposed end which is disposed for fluid communication with the open top of the bottle. A membrane, preferably formed from an elastomeric material, is secured across both the opposed end of the luer connector hub and the open top of the bottle, and may be retained between the top surface of the bottle and the body. The membrane preferably includes a central area sealing the opposed end of the luer connector hub from the open top of the bottle, with one or more fluid openings defined on a portion of the membrane outside of the central area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France S.A.
    Inventor: Jean Pierre Grimard
  • Patent number: 5697510
    Abstract: A container includes a cover engaged on an open top. A channel and an opening are formed in the cover. A knob is slidably engaged in the channel and includes a tube having a pair of shoulders. A plug has a pair of hooks engaged into the tube and engaged with the shoulders so as to secure the plug to the tube. A spring is biased between the knob and the plug for biasing the knob partially outward of the cover and for forcing the plug against the cover to enclose the orifice. The plug can be made of plastic material instead of metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventors: Jui-Te Wang, Ching-Lieh Wu
  • Patent number: 5692637
    Abstract: A differential pressure sensor having a vent to atmosphere and mounted where it is subject to water spray has a vent cap which protects against spray entering the vent and prohibits water residing along the cap edges from being drawn into the vent. The vent is surrounded by an upstanding collar and the vent cap snaps onto the collar. A shroud extends laterally from one side of the cap to a point beyond the sensor package and further extends down below the upper surface of the package. The shroud is open at the bottom to afford an air passage to the vent as well as a baffle against spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald Curtis Hodge
  • Patent number: 5681742
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological specimen and incubation container having a cylindrically shaped housing having a closed first end and an open second end. A plug, having a longitudinal bore therethrough, is anchored into a first position at the open end of the container. The container may then be supplied, via a pipette, through that bore in the plug. When the container is filled, the plug may be pushed further into the container, where it is squeezed by intermating tapered surfaces, to close the bore therein. An arrangement of annular lips and grooves in the container and the plug, anchors the plug to the container and ultimately seals and secures them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Louisville Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. MersKelly, David Y. Phelps
  • Patent number: 5657895
    Abstract: A food storage container includes a cylindrical barrel with an enclosed bottom for receiving a plurality of toroid shaped food products, such as bagels. A lid is provided for the open upper end of the barrel which permits air to pass into the barrel when the lid is attached to the barrel. A plurality of generally L-shaped ribs are mounted in the lid, with vertical legs projecting inwardly from the lid side wall inner surface, and horizontal legs projecting downward from the lid plate lower surface. The ribs in the lid space the lid side wall and plate away from the barrel upper end to form an air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Dwaine W. Rogge
  • Patent number: 5653943
    Abstract: The invention provides a gas venting means for venting gases evolved by a liquid (2) enclosed inside a container (1). The means comprises a flexible tube (4) having a first end (5) venting to the exterior of the container (1) and a second end (10) extending into the container, the second end venting into the interior of the container through a semipermeable membrane (11). Preferably, the flexible tube (4) is provided with buoyancy elements near the second end (10) so that the semipermeable membrane is always exposed to the air space above the liquid in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter S. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5654022
    Abstract: A capsule for placement over bottle tops, particularly tops of bottles of wine having a flanged bottle top which defines a pouring surface surrounding an opening of the bottle closed with a cork and an exterior undercut. The capsule is constructed of a heat shrinkable material, covers the pouring surface, engages the undercut, and includes a weakened break line positioned so that the break line overlies the periphery of the bottle top flange. The capsule is transparent and includes an opaque band at its free, lower end which is dimensioned and positioned to overlie and thereby hide from view a lower end of the cork and a fill line formed by the wine in the bottle. The base of the capsule includes a hole which is about the same size as or slightly larger than the bottle opening. An opaque, preferably metallic, disk is affixed e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Popcorn Design LLC
    Inventor: David P. Sayre
  • Patent number: 5598939
    Abstract: A medicine bottle is formed with a neck that defines an opening and a closed bottom opposite the opening. A closure element is engaged with the neck to block the opening, and the closure element is formed with a fluid passageway. A fitting is positioned in the fluid passageway. The fitting is configured for receiving the hub of a needleless syringe, and a tube which has a proximal end is positioned in the bottle with the proximal end in fluid communication with the fitting. The tube also has a distal end disposed near the bottom of the bottle. Consequently, the syringe can be engaged with the fitting for drawing liquid from the bottle into the syringe without inverting the bottom of the bottle over the neck of the bottle, even when the bottle is nearly empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventors: Thomas L. Watson, Jaleh Shaban-Watson
  • Patent number: 5542670
    Abstract: A drinking cup has a cover which is formed with a drinking spout at one side and a vent at the other. Elements extend down from under the spout and the vent. A flow control element is provided and made of elastomeric material having a pair of spaced cavities on one side, each cavity having a floor at the bottom thereof. The cavities receive in frictional engagement respectively the lower ends of the elements. This engagement supports the flow control element with the floor of each cavity in sealed relation to its element. Each floor has a passage which is normally closed but opens on the occurrence of a pressure differential on opposite sides of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Emanuel P. Morano
  • Patent number: 5542556
    Abstract: An internal thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of a skirt wall in a container closure of a plastic. The cross-sectional shape of the internal thread is defined by an upper side edge extending radially inwardly in an axially downwardly inclined manner, a lower side edge extending radially inwardly in an axially upwardly inclined manner, a front edge extending substantially vertically, two concave arcs, and two convex arcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiko Ohmi, Tateo Kubo, Tomoya Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5533633
    Abstract: A container and closure assembly for storing fluids under pressure has cooperating screw threads on the neck of the container and the closure. Mutually engageable elements on the neck and closure block the rotation of the closure in the unscrewing direction beyond an intermediate position when the closure is under pressure. The neck of the container and the closure are constructed to provide a vent for releasing this pressure to allow the closure to be fully removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Beeson and Sons Limited
    Inventor: Roger M. King
  • Patent number: 5523236
    Abstract: A closure for providing selective access to and for closing a cell culture vessel includes an open cylindrical first portion for attaching the closure to the cell culture vessel. The first portion includes a passageway for access to the vessel. The closure includes a second portion attached to the first portion by a hinge for closing the access passageway. The second portion additionally includes a vent which has a porous membrane covering it to prevent passage of microorganisms through the vent. The closure includes a third portion which is attached by a hinge to the second portion for closing the vent. Either the vent or the access passageway may be opened with one hand providing easy access and selective closure of the cell culture vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Nuzzo
  • Patent number: 5518143
    Abstract: A novel cap is designed to facilitate the use of a flexible tube to consume fluids and provide a liquid-tight seal when the cap is firmly secured to the container. Further, the cap is designed to form a smooth or regular inner core for decorative shaped animal head structures thereby alleviating the inherent cleaning difficulties which arise from irregular or asymmetrical caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Ansa Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry G. Iodice
  • Patent number: 5513762
    Abstract: A drinking container such as a water bottle with a pair of telescoping straws, one of which is attached to a lid for the container and the other of which is threaded on a nut mounted on the lid for longitudinally sliding the second straw in the first straw when the nut is rotated and blocking an airway when the second straw is retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Double J Company
    Inventor: Saeid Janani