Push On, Twist Off Patents (Class 215/318)
  • Patent number: 6105802
    Abstract: There is disclosed a push-on closure-container assembly wherein a neck finish for a blow molded container of multiple external threads cooperates in a push-on operation with multiple internal threads of a closure wherein the number of leads of like pitch of the multiple-external threads of the neck finish in less than the number of leads of like pitch of the multiple internal threads of the closure and wherein the threads of the neck finish of the container are thicker than the threads of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Clayton Corporation
    Inventors: Floyd R. French, Michael P. Venegoni
  • Patent number: 6102227
    Abstract: There is disclosed a press-on bottle cap which is convertible to a screw reclosure lid. The cap is formed with a circular disc having an integral, downwardly dependent circumferential skirt. The skirt has a raised helical bead on its inside wall which extends an angular increment from 270 to about 400 degrees and a raised circumferential bead located beneath the helical bead and at least one tear line defined by a circumferential band of weakened strength located between the circumferential and helical beads. A tear tab extends from the outer wall of the skirt adjacent the tear line which can be pulled by the user to sever a reclosure lid having the helical bead which can be threaded onto the neck of the bottle to seal its contents. For this purpose, the undersurface of the disc of the cap has a compressible sealing gasket which is engaged by an annular lip of the upper end of the bottle neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Cochrane
  • Patent number: 6059134
    Abstract: A closure is provided with a thread configuration adapted for snap-on or screw-on application to a container neck finish. Preferably the closure and neck finish contain eight or nine mating continuous or discontinuous threads for this purpose. The present invention preferably provides at least one annular sealing bead depending from the outer surface of the closure valve which are compressed against the inner surface of the container neck to form a seal as the closure is snapped onto the container neck. Optionally, sealing engagement between the closure and the mating portions of the exterior wall of the container neck may be further improved by including one or more annular sealing beads on the interior surface of the closure depending annular skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: International Plastics and Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Long, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6056136
    Abstract: A closure for press-on application to, and rotational removal from, a container having a cylindrical neck which includes a plurality of vertically spaced helical threads formed in the outer surface thereof in generally parallel relationship to each other. A flexible cylindrical skirt, preferably composed of a polyolefin such as polypropylene, includes a plurality of radially inwardly projecting spaced lugs that are circumferentially disposed around the inner cylindrical skirt surface and axially spaced therefrom for engagement with the threads on the cylindrical neck of the container. The lugs are composed of a deformable plastic material and are sized so that when the closure is applied to the container, an interference fit is provided between at least some of the lugs and at least some of the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: White Cap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Taber, Benjamin Mann, Mark Petersen
  • Patent number: 6056145
    Abstract: A lid for use on a cup having a radially outwardly projecting non-helical brim extending around a mouth thereof. The lid is formed of plastic and comprises a center portion, and a flexible skirt extending downwardly from an outer periphery of the center portion. The skirt includes a radially inwardly projecting annular restriction ring adapted to be positioned beneath the cup brim. The skirt includes a plurality of threads spaced apart circumferentially around the skirt. Each thread extends generally helically upwardly from a location disposed between the restriction ring and a bottom edge of the skirt. The threads intersect the restriction ring to form circumferentially spaced caesurae in the restriction ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Rush, Bruce R. Smith, Thomas R. Toczek, Daniel J. Geddes, Warren G. Wiedmeyer
  • Patent number: 6041953
    Abstract: A container and a removable closure, the container having an outlet with an inner and outer surface terminating at one end in a rim. The closure includes an end wall with an inner and outer skirt extending therefrom, the inner and outer skirts defining between them a slot which when the closure is applied to the container receives the container rim. The inner skirt includes a sealing section, and a deflecting section in the region of the free end of the inner skirt. The cross-sectional areas of the region and the cross-sectional area of the inner surface of the outlet being such that when the closure is applied to the container the deflecting section of the inner skirt engages the inner surface of the outlet to force the inner surface of the outlet adjacent the rim into sealing engagement with the sealing zone to seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Donald Terry Goodall
  • Patent number: 5975321
    Abstract: A tamper-evidencing, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has a neck stretch with multiple neck threads and a locking wall below the neck stretch with a plurality of external teeth. The closure has an upper skirt with multiple closure threads which mate with the neck threads and a tamper-evidencing band with a plurality of internal teeth shaped and positioned to engage the external teeth. The teeth are shaped to guide the teeth into side-by-side interengage during axial application of the cap to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5954215
    Abstract: A closure for a container having an open top surrounded by a container wall. The closure includes a top wall from which a hollow insert depends for reception within the opening of the container and further includes an outer skirt that depends from the top wall for releasably engaging an outer face of the container wall. The insert has a first seal and a second seal for sealingly engaging the inner face of the container wall. The second seal is formed upwardly of the first seal, and a channel is formed between the seals to prevent leakage through capillary action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignees: James A. Schwartz, Robert D. Marley, John Clegg, Nujenko Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Konrad G. Alter
  • Patent number: 5938082
    Abstract: A container assembly comprising a container for containing fluid, and a container closure. The container includes a neck having a mouth therein for passage therethrough of liquid in the container, and a flange circumscribing and extending radially outwardly from the neck of the container. The flange includes a generally downwardly facing surface. The container closure comprises a closure cap portion adapted for releasable connection to the neck of the container. The closure cap portion comprises a generally annular-shaped skirt, and at least three protrusions extending generally radially inwardly from an inside surface of the skirt. The protrusions are circumferentially spaced from each other along the inside surface of the skirt. The protrusions of the closure cap portion and the flange of the container are configured for a resilient snap-fit engagement of the protrusions with the generally downwardly facing surface of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Continental Sprayers International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Foster, Mark Ochs
  • 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: 5865331
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosing cap (20) which is a measuring cup adapted to serve as a liquid tight closure. Said dosing cap is lightweighted by providing a wall with two different thicknesses. The thinner walled part (26) is inserted into the neck of the container to achieve the necessary closure. The thicker walled rest of said dosing cap (28) remains outside and serves as a gripping means to open the corresponding container (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Andre Marie Gustav Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5853097
    Abstract: A closure for use with an associated container having a finish with an external securing member formed thereon, includes a closure cap having an enlarged top wall portion defining an outermost edge and an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion inwardly of the outermost edge. The skirt portion has an outer wall and an inner wall having an internal securing member engageable with the container external securing member. The closure cap includes a plurality of parallel, spaced apart, tapered ribs. At least some of the ribs extend between the top wall portion and the skirt outer wall. Each rib defines an outer edge and tapers inwardly or thins from the closure cap to the outer edge to define a region adjacent to a juncture of each rib and the closure cap having a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area at the outer edge of each respective rib. The ribs can taper in one or more directions. The ribs are separated from one another by parallel recessed regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 5848717
    Abstract: A snap-on seal arrangement comprising a container and a sealing cap is provided. The sealing cap comprises an elastically expandable cylindrical wall and at least one elastically deformable retaining bead for attachment to a container mouth having an external bead. An engagement surface of the retaining bead can be brought into effective engagement with an engagement surface of the external bead, wherein after the cap has been placed on, the engagement surface of the retaining bead of the sealing cap works together with the engagement surface of the external bead on the container mouth to enclose a radially outward-expanding gap. The retaining bead is elastically deformable such that the gap decreases in size or closes under the action of positive pressure in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork AG
    Inventors: Udo Bosl, Michael Kirchgessner
  • Patent number: 5755348
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has at least one first helical thread on an upper neck stretch portion, and a first tamper-evident structure having a first locking member. The closure has an upper skirt having at least one second helical thread mating with the first helical thread of the neck. The closure includes a second tamper-evident structure having a second locking member shaped and positioned to engage the first locking member when the closure is applied to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5715960
    Abstract: A container and closure combination wherein the closure comprises a skirt portion, the periphery of which has at least one rounded ramped portion adapted to cooperate with one or more corresponding rounded ramped portions on the container such that relative axial rotation of the container causes cooperation of the ramped portions and disengagement of the closure from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham p.l.c.
    Inventor: Richard William Seymour
  • Patent number: 5702017
    Abstract: Combination of a row of containers and a strip of caps, each of the containers and caps being respectively joined by breakable links allowing the joined strip of caps to be placed on necks of the joined row of containers by a translational movement parallel to axes of the containers. Click-fasteners are provided on the container necks to interact with complementary click-fasteners formed on the caps. The caps close the containers in a leaktight fashion when snapped into place. The links between each container/cap combination can then be broken to separate each container/cap assembly from the other container/cap assemblies. The click-fasteners also allow each cap to be removed from the corresponding container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Antonin Goncalves
  • Patent number: 5692628
    Abstract: A closure-container package is illustrated in which the closure is pressed-on to the container neck and threaded off the container neck. Either the container neck or the closure has a helical thread which engages axially extending ribs on the other of the container neck or closure to form indentations in the ribs which act as threads, teeth or a track for unthreading. A continuous or rotary seal is used between the container neck and the closure which does not require a sealing force from the threaded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Rexam Closure, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary V. Montgomery, James F. Whitehead, Clas Nilstoft
  • Patent number: 5690243
    Abstract: A novel snap on pull off tamper indicating cap and neck configuration for containers, the cap having a top with an annular depending wall on its peripheral edge and seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on the inner surface of the annular depending wall. A removable tear skirt with continuous opposing groups of ratchet teeth on its inner surface depends from the outer peripheral edge of an out-turned flange on said annular wall. An inturned continuous annular rib on said annular depending wall engages on and deforms the neck configuration. The tear skirt is joined to the flange with multiple frangible connections from the ratchet teeth, a pull tab on the tear skirt with frangible lines requiring removal of the tab and tear skirt from the cap before the cap can be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Luca Molinaro
  • Patent number: 5687866
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has at least one first helical thread on an upper neck stretch portion, and a first tamper-evident structure having a first locking member. The closure has an upper skirt having at least one second helical thread mating with the first helical thread of the neck. The closure includes a second tamper-evident structure having a second locking member shaped and positioned to engage the first locking member when the closure is applied to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Cap Snap Co.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5685443
    Abstract: A closure for press-on application to, and rotational removal from, a container having a cylindrical neck which includes a plurality of vertically spaced helical threads formed on the outer surface thereof. The closure includes an end panel member having a central portion formed of metal or other suitable oxygen barrier material which is adapted to overlie a mouth of the container. A generally cylindrical plastic skirt on the closure is formed by molding the same in surrounding and capturing relation to the end panel and at least a portion of the upper and lower surfaces of the end panel are generally free of plastic. The closure also includes a gasket which is engageable with the neck portion of the container to provide a seal therewith. A free edge on the outer periphery of the end panel member is encapsulated by at least one of said gasket and said molded plastic skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: White Cap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Taber, F. Paul Marshall, Douglas G. Begley
  • Patent number: 5680949
    Abstract: A packaging container assembly having a variable length. The assembly includes an outer hollow body and an inner hollow body. The hollow bodies can be assembled with one another by a sliding of an open end of the inner hollow body into an open end of the outer hollow body for forming the packaging container assembly. Each hollow body has a rectangular cross section in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof thereby defining a plurality of longitudinal edges thereon. A plurality of rows of notches include a first set of rows of notches disposed on one of the hollow bodies, the rows of notches of the first set being disposed diagonally opposite one another on corresponding longitudinal edges of the one of the hollow bodies; and a second set of rows of notches disposed on another one of the hollow bodies, the rows of notches of the second set being disposed on all longitudinal edges of the other one of the hollow bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: rose plastic GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Roesler
  • 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: 5660290
    Abstract: A closure fitting is provided for a container which itself has no threads or other closure securing means formed on it. The fitting, which can be pressed down over the mouth of a container, provides its own securing means by which an outer, closure portion of the fitting can be removed from and resecured to an inner attachment portion which remains on the container after opening. The closure fitting may have a stretchable or distendable conical hoop molded inside a surrounding skirt. Cooperating sets of threads, lugs, or the like are formed on the outer face of the conical hoop and on the inner face of the skirt. In the closure as formed, the closure securing means of the hoop do not operably engage those of the skirt. They are progressively brought into cooperating engagement by stretching and enlarging the hoop outwardly as the closure fitting is press-fitted onto a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: CarnaudMetalbox (Holdings) USA Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 5638971
    Abstract: A vacuum seal container comprises a cylindrical container body having a peripheral seal extending therearound and a lid including an outer skirt for engaging the seal. The skirt defines an access port for communication with a vacuum-generating source. The lid further includes seating nodes which seat the lid in a raised position to form an interior air passageway for air evacuation. At reaching a threshold pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container, the seating nodes and the sidewall deform to lower the lid which blocks the interior air passageway to form a vacuum seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Justesen
  • Patent number: 5597082
    Abstract: For tent-type paperboard containers as well as other containers, a spout fitment is attached surrounding a hole in the container. The fitment spout has internal threads and an external flange which seals around the hole and is fixed to the container by thermal means, adhesive or the like. The cap has a top disk from which an externally threaded skirt depends. The exterior of the skirt has gripping ribs to assist in screwing and unscrewing the cap. The lower edge of the skirt seals against a sealing membrane on the spout. Surrounding the skirt is a tamper-evident band attached to the lower edges of the ribs by frangible bridges. The tamper-evident band has locking means engaging complementary locking means on the fitment. Thus, the cap cannot be unscrewed without removing the tamper-evident band. By unique design, the fitment and cap may be molded in one mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Brian M. Adams
  • Patent number: 5593055
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has at least one first helical thread 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 at least one second helical thread 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Repp, William R. West, Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5553727
    Abstract: A neck finish for a tamper evident bottle is disclosed having at least ten helically spaced threads which extend along a substantial length of the exterior wall of the neck. The neck finish may include one or two annular ring flanges to accept a snap-on cap. Also disclosed are tamper evident caps having at least ten helically spaced threads positioned on the inner surface of the cap. In one embodiment, the cap includes one or two annular ring flanges to engage the ring flanges on the disclosed neck finish. Another tamper evident cap includes ten helically spaced thread which are adapted to engage at least some portion of threads on a neck finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Consumer Cap Corporation
    Inventor: Luca Molinaro
  • Patent number: 5552117
    Abstract: The present invention is a collection assembly useful for collecting small quantities of blood. The assembly comprises a container with an integral lip for facilitating collection of the blood and a cap suitable for enclosing the container. The assembly further comprises a sealing arrangement for securing the cap to the container using a protrusion on the cap and a locking ring on the container, wherein the container includes a riser below the locking ring that interacts with the protrusion on the cap to unsecure the cap from the container, when the cap is rotated on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5527513
    Abstract: The present invention is a collection assembly useful for collecting small quantities of blood. The assembly comprises a container with an integral lip for facilitating collection of the blood and a cap suitable for enclosing the container. The assembly further comprises a sealing arrangement for securing the cap with the container and a cam follower within the cap that interacts with the integral lip of the container to unsecure the cap from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5480045
    Abstract: A blow molded container has a cylindrical neck portion with novel seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on its exterior to immediately receive and engage an improved tamper indicating flexible cap comprising a top with an annular depending wall on its peripheral edge and seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on the inner surface of the annular depending wall. The novel constructions enable the tamper indicating flexible cap to immediately engage the lead-in ends of the seven circumferentially spaced thread patterns on the exterior of the neck of the container without the heretofore necessary rotation of the prior art caps in order to engage the single spiral thread configuration on the neck of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Molinaro, Robert E. Crisci, Harry E. Crisci
  • Patent number: 5458854
    Abstract: The present invention is a collection assembly useful for collecting small quantities of blood. The assembly comprises a container with an integral lip for facilitating collection of the blood and a cap suitable for enclosing the container. The assembly further comprises a sealing arrangement for securing the cap with the container and a cam arrangement for unsecuring the cap from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5456376
    Abstract: A tamper-evident snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has at least one first helical thread on an upper neck stretch portion, and a first tamper-evident structure having a first locking member. The closure has an upper skirt having at least one second helical thread mating with the first helical thread of the neck. The closure includes a second tamper-evident structure having a second locking member shaped and positioned to engage the first locking member when the closure is applied to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5450972
    Abstract: A tamper evident closure assembly comprising a container, a cap and a band portion. The container has a neck with threads and an annular interference ring located axially below the threads and integral with the container finish. An annular tamper indicating band is detachably connected to the skirt of the cap with a plurality of spaced connectors located between the cap and the band. The band has an annular shoulder formed on the inside surface thereof. The interference ring includes at least one integral lug formed on its upper surface. The lug is configured with a downwardly sloping upper surface and a substantially vertical face. The sloping upper surface of the lug facilitates the application of the closure, and specifically the band, over the interference ring. The face of the lug forms a strengthening support against which the annular shoulder of the band rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Bridgett E. Zemlo
  • Patent number: 5415306
    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 cap and the foil liner are formed to inhibit adherence of the tab to the interior of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Johnny S. Henson, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5384096
    Abstract: The present invention is a collection assembly useful for collecting small quantities of blood. The assembly comprises a container with an integral lip for facilitating collection of the blood and a cap suitable for enclosing the container. The assembly further comprises a sealing arrangement for securing the cap with the container and a cam arrangement for unsecuring the cap from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5307946
    Abstract: A blow molded container has a cylindrical neck portion with novel seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on its exterior to immediately receive and engage an improved tamper indicating flexible cap comprising a top with an annular depending wall on its peripheral edge and seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on the inner surface surface of the annular depending wall. The novel constructions enable the tamper indicating flexible cap to immediately engage the lead-in ends of the seven circumferentially spaced thread patterns on the exterior of the neck of the container without the heretofore necessary rotation of the prior art caps in order to engage the single spiral thread configuration on the neck of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Northern Engineering & Plastics, Corp.
    Inventor: Luca Molinaro
  • Patent number: 5285912
    Abstract: A novel snap on pull off tamper indicating cap and neck configuration for containers, the cap having a top with an annular depending wall on its peripheral edge and seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on the inner surface of the annular depending wall. A removable tear skirt with continuous ratchet teeth on its inner surface depends from the outer peripheral edge of an outturned flange on said annular wall. An annular rib on said ratchet teeth, the tear skirt is joined to the flange with only the points of the ratchet teeth, a pull tab on the tear skirt with frangible lines enabling removing of the tab and tear skirt from the cap. Ratchet teeth on the container have a continuous longitudinally extending notch within for interlocking registration with the annular rib on the ratchet teeth of the tear skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Northern Engineering & Plastics, Corp.
    Inventor: Luca Molinaro
  • Patent number: 5267661
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has at least one first helical thread on an upper neck stretch portion, and at least one external ratchet tooth on a locking wall portion below the upper neck stretch portion. The closure has an upper skirt having at least one second helical thread mating with the first helical thread of the neck. A downward extending lower skirt portion includes an outer skirt portion and a shoulder extending inwardly from said outer skirt portion. A frangible section interconnects the shoulder and the upper skirt portion. At least one substantially vertical fin is formed upstanding from the shoulder, preventing upward deformation of the lower skirt portion without breaking the frangible section. The lower skirt portion has at least one internal ratchet tooth, and is formed with a line of weakness extending through the outer skirt portion and the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5213224
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has double lead external threads and, below the threads, a conical wall having external ratchet teeth. The closure has an upper skirt having internal threads mating with the neck threads. A conical lower skirt is connected to the upper skirt by a plurality of frangible bridges. The lower skirt has internal ratchet teeth to mate with the neck ratchet teeth. The cap skirt threads are double pitch and slightly over 360.degree. in length. When the cap is applied to the neck it snaps on in two stages. The lower skirt has a tear tab which, when pulled, fractures the lower skirt on a vertical line. Continued pulling on the tab sequentially fractures the bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5203838
    Abstract: The assembly of a closure (3) and a receptacle (1) having a neck (2) of plastic material surmounted by a tamperproof cover 98). The closure (3) comprises an opening capsule (3) provided with a base (4), and the base (4) and the neck (2) are configured for snap-on engagement after the commencement of insertion in full cross-section of a fitting device (25) onto the cover (8), and, lower down, a screwing device, these devices (15 and 25) allowing the cover (8) to be ruptured and to be fitted into the neck (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Cebal
    Inventor: Bernard Schneider
  • Patent number: 5190178
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has double lead external threads and, below the threads, external ratchet teeth arranged in two diametrically opposed quadrants. The closure has an upper skirt having internal threads mating with the neck threads. A lower skirt is connected to the upper skirt by a plurality of frangible bridges. The lower skirt has opposed quadrants having internal ratchet teeth to mate with the neck ratchet teeth. The lower skirt has a tear tab which, when pulled, fractures the lower skirt on a vertical line. Continued pulling on the tab sequentially fractures the bridges. The tear tab constitutes an orientation means to properly locate the cap on the neck so that an axial downward push on the cap engages the internal and external threads and internal and external ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Cap Snap Co
    Inventor: Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5190175
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an irreversible tamper evident system for a closure such as a button closure is provided. The irreversible tamper evidence system is provided by an appearance change system carried by the flexible button portion of the closure. The appearance change system comprises a liquid crystal material and a liquid crystal poison. When the button is depressed such as upon initial closure of the container, the liquid crystal material is separated from the liquid crystal poison and optical properties of the liquid crystal material are viewable. When the container is opened the flexing the button forces the liquid crystal poison into contact with the liquid crystal material and the optical properties of the liquid crystal material are irreversibly altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Continental White Cap, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5147074
    Abstract: A device for releasably connecting a generic liquid sprayer, e.g. for detergents and the like, of the type including a pump operated through a trigger-type lever, to the neck portion of a container of the hand-held type. The device has a tubular element provided with a threadway on its inner surface which is releasably engaged, as by threading down, by a sleeve whose inner surface is provided with snap-action members of engagement with counter-members provided on the container neck portion to provide a non-releasable axial coupling. The sleeve enables initial assembly of the device by axial fitting over the container neck portion and recovery of the device by threading out of the sleeve, for later re-use on a re-fill container provided, in turn, with a sleeve, once the original conatiner has been depleted of its contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Guala S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piero Battegazzore
  • Patent number: 5025942
    Abstract: The hooking device comprises an inside sleeve delimiting superimposed snap rings beaten-in by force between helicoidal threads of the screw ring of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Societe de Conseils et d'Etudes des Emballages S.C.E.E.
    Inventor: Marthe Lucas
  • Patent number: 4989740
    Abstract: This relates to a composite closure which incorporates the conventional closure of the press-on, twist-off type including a metal shell having in the center of an end panel thereof a tamper indicating button. The composite closure includes an overcap which is frictionally interlocked with the shell and wherein the shell has been modified so that the curl at the lower edge of the skirt thereof is outturned as opposed to being inturned and the rougher coating for receiving the sealing compound increases the frictional connection between the overcap and the metal shell. In addition, the overcap is provided with a tamper indicating band which is interlocked with the container finish so as to prevent both axial upward movement and circumferential movement of the tamper indicating band relative to the container finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Continental White Cap, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Vercillo
  • Patent number: 4886947
    Abstract: A closure system including a cap and a container, the cap including a top wall, a depending skirt having a bottom end and an annular projection integral with the bottom end of the skirt and having a curled free end portion which has grooves formed by threads in the neck when the cap is pressed on the container in sealed relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4863030
    Abstract: A plastisol-lined metal closure of the press-on, twist-off type and having improved top load resistance to permit containers capped with such closures to be packaged in open top trays, the plastisol lining having a density of at least approximately 58 pounds per cubic foot, and in a closure for a 51 millimeter container, a thickness in the container rim engaging portion thereof, before application to the container, of at least approximately 0.024 inch, a thickness in the portion thereof which engages the portion of the container finish below the threaded portion of the finish, before application to the container, of at least approximately 0.025 inch, and a thickness in the portion thereof which engages the portion of the container finish above the threaded portion, before application to the container, of no greater than approximately 0.026 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Anchor Hocking Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Bayer, Paul W. Dullabaun, Zbigniew Swierczek
  • Patent number: 4856667
    Abstract: Closure systems including a container having an annular projection integral with the lip of the container having a curled free end portion for engaging a cap and methods of forming and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4844250
    Abstract: A tamper-evident container assembly comprises a container and a cap. The container has a dispensing end that includes an opening through which the contents of the container can be dispensed, a threaded surface, and a frangible tab extending outwardly from the threaded surface. The cap is internally threaded with the threads of the cap being complementary to those of the threaded surface of the dispensing end of the container and being formed prior to the cap being placed on the dispensing end of the container. The cap has a vertical notch therein extending from the lower edge thereof of a size sufficient to receive at least a portion of the tab so that the tab is readily visible therethrough. The cap is initially placed axially over the dispensing end of the container so that the tab is received within the notch in the cap.The cap can not be initially removed from the container without separating at least a portion of the tab from the threaded surface of the dispensing end of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Wheeling Stamping Company
    Inventors: George H. Holoubek, John J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4781311
    Abstract: A cap and container especially suited for dispensing liquids has a cap which is accurately aligned upon closure. The container is closed by applying downward axial pressure to the cap, thereby forcing lugs in the cap to pass over threads located on the neck of the container so that the cap is snapped on. Stop walls prevent any undesired cap rotation. Stabilizing lugs are alternatively provided to add additional stability. Alternatively, the container is closed by twisting or rotating the cap with respect to the neck. The cap may also be twisted or snapped off. Modifications in the neck configuration make the cap irremovable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Walter B. Dunning, George E. Campbell, Julio Focaracci