With Vacuum Breaker Or Manually Operable Vent Patents (Class 220/231)
  • Patent number: 11772859
    Abstract: A package with an aroma detection feature. The package is an air tight container that includes a primary passageway container aperture and a secondary container aperture. The primary container aperture is a standard closure device for allowing a person to have access to the material stored within the container. The secondary aperture includes an air tight closure that can be opened by a user to have access to the aroma of the material contained within the container and then closed again in an air tight manner. The secondary container aperture includes a push button that when pushed by a user allows access to the aroma of the material contained in the container and when the button is released the secondary aperture returns to an air tight closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Darrin Parle
  • Patent number: 11607075
    Abstract: According to one example, a removable lid for a container of a vessel includes a valve configured to selectively allow air to vent out of a fluid retaining interior region of the container when the lid is positioned on the container. The valve includes an opening that extends entirely through a thickness of a portion of the lid, and a valve plug. The valve plug includes a valve top portion that extends vertically above a top surface of the portion of the lid, a valve bottom portion, and a valve central portion. The valve top portion is configured to be contracted, by a downward pressure, into a more vertically compact shape. The valve top portion is further configured to, absent the downward pressure, expand back upwards out of the more vertically compact shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Stanley Kin Sui Cheng
  • Patent number: 11383881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a panel including a peripheral edge to be connected to a container body of a container, and a tab connected to the panel, which tab includes a front tab part and a rear tab part for gripping and forming an opening in the panel, wherein the panel is provided with means preventing an external can structure to engage with the rear tab part, and to a can body and a can including such a panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ardagh MP Group Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Fabrice Leboucher
  • Patent number: 11208235
    Abstract: A pot or pan lid is configured for stacking with identical or differently sized lids that have an identical handle or knob with a dimple on the upper surface. The side of the lid opposite the handle has a complimentary protrusion configured to stably engage the dimple. The edge of the knob may extend laterally to correspond with the lid curvature to also support a similar lid on the knob perimeter that is distal from the dimple. The engaged central dimple and more distal perimeter of the knob provide for stable stacking of a plurality of lids in a level arrangement that avoids one or more lids tipping over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Jacquelyn Maitram Truong, Hin Hang Homer Cheung, Kwong Wah Lee
  • Patent number: 11203478
    Abstract: Disclosed are a container cover and a vacuum preservation container. The container cover comprises a cover body and an air extraction assembly, wherein a first through hole is provided in the cover body, the air extraction assembly comprises an outer cover and an inner cover, the inner cover is arranged on an upper end of the first through hole in a sealing manner, a second through hole and a third through hole are provided in the inner cover, the second through hole is in communication with the first through hole, a first one-way valve is arranged in the second through hole, and a second one-way valve is arranged in the third through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: THANKHOT BIOTECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Honghua Wei
  • Patent number: 10968025
    Abstract: A vacuum canister includes a canister body and a cover body, wherein the cover body has a cover seat with an opening facing upwards, a through rod is disposed on a bottom wall of the cover seat, a valve seat is disposed at a lower opening end of the through rod, and a check valve is disposed on the valve seat. The cover seat is provided with an air extracting device including an inner barrel and an outer barrel. An opening end of the outer barrel is sleeved on the inner barrel. A through hole is axially opened in the inner barrel. The through rod passes through the through hole. The air extracting device includes a pressing handle sleeved on the outer barrel, wherein a lower end of the pressing handle abuts the push block. A limiting block is disposed on an outer circumferential wall of the pressing handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: THANKHOT BIOTECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Honghua Wei
  • Patent number: 10968009
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed and includes a can, which has an end wall incorporating a vent panel and a pouring panel, both panels presenting a contour defined by a rupture line. The apparatus includes an actuation tab with an extracting end portion affixed to the vent panel. The actuation tab includes a punching end portion affixed to the pouring panel and a lower end tooth to be pressed against a spot region of the rupture line of the pouring panel. The actuation tab includes a grip portion affixed to the extracting end portion and is designed to be manually and upwardly actuated for detaching the vent panel from the end wall. The grip portion is designed to punch and rupture the spot region of the rupture line of the pouring panel and, subsequently, detaching the latter from the end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: João Marques Fernandes
  • Patent number: 10945546
    Abstract: A drinking attachment (10) for drinking vessels (12), comprising a funnel-like circumferential drinking rim (14), which is open towards the drinking vessel (12), having a fastening section (16) for fastening the drinking attachment (10) to an edge region of the drinking vessel surrounding an opening of the drinking vessel (12), and a bowl-shaped elastic sealing disc (20), which can be inserted into the drinking rim (14) for sealing the drinking rim (14), the sealing disc (20) abutting circumferentially against the drinking rim (14) in the region of the end of the drinking rim (19, which is free in the intended mounting state of the drinking attachment (10) on a drinking vessel (12), while forming an interstice (22), which is open towards the drinking vessel (12), and being designed in such a way that it can be partially lifted from the drinking rim (14) by a suction action of a user of the drinking attachment (10), in order to open a passage to the interstice (22), the sealing disc (20) having in the region o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MAPA GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Holschumacher, Eckhard Itzek, Jürgen Löhn
  • Patent number: 10780455
    Abstract: A caulking gun, comprising: a cylindrical housing; a nut fixed to a rear wall of said housing; a screw threaded into said nut, said screw having a bit at one end thereof, and a bearing connected to the other end thereof; a caulking tube situated inside said housing between a front wall thereof and said bearing, and a stopper, for preventing said bearing from reaching to said rear wall of said housing and as a result being separated from each other; wherein said bit having a depression, for allowing connecting thereto a snap connector, and wherein said housing comprises flexible straps, for providing compact storage of said caulking gun, and wherein said nut is further welded to a second wall of said housing, for holding said screw steady such that its longitudinal axis coincides with the longitudinal axis of said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: Yona Heilbruner
  • Patent number: 10773854
    Abstract: A resealable beverage can lid has a lid having a top side having a first scored opening and a second scored opening and a bottom side, a first rivet formed in the lid and extending outwardly from the top side of the lid, a second rivet formed in the lid and extending outwardly from the bottom side of the lid, the second scored opening encompassing the first rivet and the second rivet, a tab portion connected to the first rivet, and a closure element connected to the second rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SBH, INC.
    Inventor: Steven S Schuver
  • Patent number: 10701968
    Abstract: A package that may be employed to store a tobacco-containing material is provided. The package may include a container and a valve assembly. The container may include a body portion and a cover configured to engage the body portion. The body portion may define an internal space therein. The valve assembly may be configured to affect an atmosphere within the internal space of the container. For example, the valve assembly may remain closed except when releasing pressure from the internal space. Thereby, by way of further example, the valve assembly may vent the container so as to avoid damage thereto, while reducing moisture loss from the tobacco-containing material stored in the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Lee Potter, Eric Taylor Hunt, Michael Andrew Liberti, Jeremy Barrett Mabe, Pankaj Patel, Bruce Alan Bengtsson
  • Patent number: 10464734
    Abstract: An cooler capable of achieving a sufficient temperature gradient between an inside of the cooler and an outside of the cooler such that at least a partial vacuum forms within the cooler may include an enclosure defined by at least one wall and a lid. The lid may form a relatively airtight seal with a wall of the cooler when in a closed position. A vacuum release assembly may be disposed in one of the walls or lid of the cooler, the assembly being capable of reducing a pressure differential between the enclosure and the outside of the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: HEB GROCERY COMPANY, LP
    Inventors: Eric Newland Wooldridge, Daniel Bailey Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10301048
    Abstract: A cap for a cup includes a piston seat which includes a room, and an aperture is defined through the lower end of the piston seat. An air path communicates with the aperture. A check valve is movably engaged with the lower end of the piston seat and includes a plate which is deformable to control the air path to be opened or closed. A suction device is located in the piston seat and includes a position rod whose lower end is connected to a piston head which is located in the room of the piston seat. The upper end of the piston rod protrudes beyond the top end of the piston seat and is connected to a handle. By pulling and pushing the handle, the air in the cup is sucked out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Che Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 10053266
    Abstract: A hermetic food container consisting of a rotary knob, a top cover, a container body, a guide seat and a gasket ring is disclosed. The rotary knob is moved upwards or downwards relative to the top cover to achieve a sealing effect or to create a gap for enabling air to pass therethrough into the container body when the rotary knob is rotated in one of two reversed directions. The use of the gasket ring can effectively reduce wear, enhance durability and prolong the lifespan of the hermetic food container. Further, an anti-slip cushion is provided at the bottom side of the container body, allowing multiple hermetic food containers to be arranged in a stack convenient for storage, package and delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SHIN HUNG YIH TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-Hung Ho
  • Patent number: 9511411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tab for a closure, comprising a tab body having at one side a tab nose for opening the closure, and at the other side a tab lever having a finger opening for activating the tab lever, which finger opening is surrounded by a distal lever part connected by lateral lever legs to the tab body, wherein in the lever legs are formed aligned hinge parts in the form of lateral lever leg parts of reduced bending strength, to a closure and container comprising such tab, and to a process for making such tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Impress Group B.V.
    Inventors: Gerardus Johannes Josephus Tielbeke, Aart Leendert Emmerzaal
  • Patent number: 9278786
    Abstract: A container has a lid that can be opened only by lifting and pulling a pull tab, with lifting of the pull tab resulting in an evident change. The pull tab is held down by attachment (interference fit, weld, glue) to a lid surface by a hold-down that is joined to the pull tab by a pair of bridges. When the pull tab is lifted, the bridges are broken. Thereafter, the pull tab springs up slightly from the lid plane, under the force of one or more spring walls and a hinge, which makes it evident that the container has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Smart-Tab, LLC
    Inventors: Jane N. Vovan, Leon D. Rosen
  • Patent number: 9272823
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lid (8) of a container, especially a beverage can, comprising a substantially flat lid surface (9) and a preferably folded edge area, with at least one re-closeable pouring opening (10) being provided on the lid surface (9), a closure means (1) associated with the pouring opening (10) being provided on the bottom side of the lid surface (9) and an actuation means (6) which penetrates the lid surface (9) being arranged on the upper side of the lid surface (9) accessible from the outside, and the closure means (1) being movable from a closed position to an opened position through actuation of the actuation means (6), the closure means (1) being of integral configuration and being fixed entirely in a torsion-proof manner to the bottom side of the lid surface (9), and the actuation means (6) comprises a support element (12, 12?, 14, 15) which cooperates with the lid surface (9) when the closure means (1) is in the opened position, the integral closure means (1) comprises a fastening par
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Xolution GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Bratsch
  • Patent number: 9227165
    Abstract: A cooking pot lid provides a continuously variable amount of venting (and stirring of ingredients, when desired) and includes a fixed lid component including a plurality of spaced-apart openings, a rotatable shaft disposed through a central aperture of the fixed lid component in a manner such that the rotatable shaft is free to rotate with respect to the fixed lid component; and a rotatable lid component that is attached to the rotatable shaft. The rotatable lid component includes a plurality of spaced-apart fins for alternately covering and exposing the plurality of spaced-apart openings in the fixed lid component to provide the continuously variable venting. Stirring blades may be attached to the rotatable shaft in a manner such that the stirring blades rotate with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventor: Maxime Gedeon-Janvier
  • Patent number: 9226616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fryer (10) provided with a containing structure (11) inside which at least a frying basin (15) is present, which is filled with oil up to a preset maximum level, each frying basin (15) being provided with at least one drum (17) for containing the food to be fried, the fryer (10) further being provided with a perforated lid (20) comprising pass through holes (25, 27) for the passage of vapor and gas going upwards and of condensed vapor going downwards and means for cooling (21, 22, 23) and condensing vapor passing through said holes, and support means (16) of said vapor cooling means (21, 22, 23), characterized in that it further comprises means for adjusting the vapor flow (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: BY ME S.R.L.
    Inventor: Luciano Ferrari
  • Patent number: 9181006
    Abstract: A can for containing a liquid has a top end. The top end has a dispense area defined on the top end by a first score line and a vent area defined on the top end by a second score line separate from the first score line. The top end has a first rivet located between the vent and dispense areas for coupling to the top end. The top end has a pull tab suitable for puncturing the dispense areas to open a dispense aperture. The top end has a device for opening the vent aperture. The dispense area has a dimension along the diameter of the top end passing by the first rivet greater or equal to the radius of the top end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Christopher Neiner, Frank Hellwig
  • Publication number: 20150102032
    Abstract: A non-spill container assembly having a container, a collar and an annular seal from which drinking can occur at any location around a rim of the container assembly. The collar has an internal frustoconical shape wall with a circular upper end that extends downward and inwardly into a closed lower end. The closed lower end has a projection that extends outward from its center. The collar includes a support surface arranged along an inner surface of an upper edge of the circular upper end and a fastener assembly disposed adjacent to a bottom of the collar provided to securely fasten to a container. A plurality of passages are radially disposed around the projection in the internal frustoconical shape wall to channel a fluid. A plurality of radial protrusions disposed radially adjacent to the support surface defining various channels along the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Steven Bryan DUNN, Mark A. HATHERILL, Kevin Douglas JOHNSON, Matthew Joseph SAXTON
  • Patent number: 8967413
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum sealable container system comprising a container and a lid assembly having a movable valve insert. The valve insert includes a vacuum indicator for informing the user when a vacuum is present in the container. The valve insert is pneumatically movable within a chamber by way of a pump assembly to open and close a fluid communication between the container and the exterior of the container to remove fluid to form the vacuum. The vacuum indicator collapses into an opening formed in the lid assembly to inform the user of the vacuum as well as reinforce the seal formed by the valve insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: SCAC LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Tinstman, John D. Fiegener
  • Patent number: 8936169
    Abstract: A vacuumized container box having a box body opened at its upper end and constructed in a shape of a container; a box cover is provided at the upper end of the box body; an air outlet opening is provided on the box cover; a vacuumizing device is provided on the air outlet opening for vacuumizing the box body; the vacuumizing device comprises a vacuum operation button and air pumps; the vacuum operation button is provided at an upper end of the box cover; the air pumps are actuated by the vacuum operation button and are provided at a bottom end of the box cover. Since the vacuumized container box is configured to incorporate the vacuumizing device, no other extra vacuumizing devices are required. The vacuumized container box is therefore convenient to use and attains good vacuumization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: To Yan Lui
  • Patent number: 8881942
    Abstract: A package comprises a latch including first and second legs and an actuating portion. The first and second legs are joined at an angle. The actuator portion of the first leg is positioned to be displaced generally laterally to displace the second leg generally longitudinally to release the latch. In another embodiment the package has base wells on the inside surface. A generally flat marginal sealing surface encircles the first and second base wells. The wells of the base and/or lid are covered with a cover sheet to close them. Still another embodiment is a child-resistant container comprising a shell, two drawers, a stop, and a latch. The drawers are prevented from sliding apart past a limit of travel when one drawer is open sufficiently to provide access to its contents and the other drawer is not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Giraud, Michel Zbirka, Herve Pichot, Bruce Rabinne
  • Publication number: 20140263320
    Abstract: A can end for a beverage container has a center panel with a stay-on tab opening system. A tear panel is defined by a first frangible score and a non-frangible hinge segment. A tab is attached to the center panel by a rivet. The tab has a void region partially surrounding a rivet island. A first circle has a first center point located at a center of the rivet and a first radius equal to a distance from the center of the rivet to a radially outermost point of the void region on a first axis running through the nose and lift ends of the tab and a center of the rivet. A second circle has a coincident center and a second radius less than 2.5 times first radius. A second frangible score is spaced completely radially outwardly from the rivet island and between the first and second circles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Randall Forrest, Michael Gogola, Derek Siegal
  • Patent number: 8800803
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of cover (2) and pot (5) can be used as a pressure cooker with a slight overpressure. A first annular sealing element (26) is provided at the bottom side of the cover (2) and comprises at least one locking means (10a, 10b) to match the size of the pot (5). The locking means (10a, 10b) comprises a contour portion (12), an actuating means (24) and an adjustment device with a second sealing element (16), wherein the second sealing element (16) is slidably movable in and against the center of the cover (2). A form-locking and force-locking connection is formed between the cover (2) and an upper portion of the outer surface of the pot (5) by the second sealing element (16) of the at least one locking means (10a, 10b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Jurgen Stellwag
  • Patent number: 8714379
    Abstract: A closure including a shell having a base wall with an axial outer surface and an undersurface, an annular skirt around a periphery of the base wall, and circumferentially spaced securement elements extending radially inwardly from the skirt. A gasket is carried by the shell, and has a base surface in contact with the undersurface of the base wall of the shell and an oppositely disposed sealing surface. An elongated flexible member extends between the sealing surface of the gasket and the axial outer surface of the shell and around a portion of the skirt circumferentially between the securement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Grant
  • Patent number: 8701909
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure device (2) for closing and/or opening an opening (1.1) of a container (1), wherein the opening (1.1) of the container (1) is closed in a first position (I) of the closure device (2) and the opening (1.1) of the container (1) is open in a second position (II) of the closure device (2), and wherein the opening (1.1) of the container (1) has an opening periphery (1.2) which comprises an inner wall (1.3) and outer wall (1.4), and wherein the closure device (2) has a sealing element (4) by means of which the opening (1.1) of the container (1) can be closed with sealing action in the first position (I), and wherein the closure device (2), in the first position (I), is fastened on the container (1) by a closure element (3) and, when the container (1) is opened, can be transferred from the first position (I) into the second position (II) by means of at least one actuating element (3.2) wherein the container opening (1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Guido Endert
  • Patent number: 8684214
    Abstract: Provided is a degassing container for a refrigerator in which a portion of air within a storage space is forcedly discharged to allow the storage space to become a low pressure state. The degassing container includes a case, a door, a gasket, a pressing part, and a degassing adjustment part. The case has an opened side. The door selectively shields the opened side of the case. The gasket is interposed between the door and the case and elastically deformed and closely attached when the door is shielded. The pressing part is provided in the door and the case and selectively closely attaches the door by a rotation operation. The degassing adjustment part selectively enters and exits air within the case by operating the pressing part. Therefore, the refrigerator has improved storage performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seok-Min Lim, Jong-Min Shin, Bong-Jun Choi, Su-Won Lee, Ill-Shin Kim, Jeong-Yon Kim
  • Patent number: 8678221
    Abstract: A container lid includes a conventional main or pour opening and a vent opening spaced from the main opening. A vent score defines the shape of the vent opening, and a vent panel covers the vent opening. The vent panel has a raised convex shape. The lower surface of the tab handle includes a protruding portion, seen as a concave shaped element when viewed from above the container lid. The protruding portion of the tab handle can be aligned with the vent panel so application of a downward force on the tab handle transfers force to the vent panel and breaks the vent score. The shapes of the vent panel and concave element of the tab handle can be adjusted for selective and controlled force transfer to create the vent opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Alan Thiemann, Ray Alan Toms
  • Patent number: 8662334
    Abstract: A vacuum storage container having a container body, a check valve and a lid with an outer rim surrounding a diaphragm. A vacuum pump is engagable with the check valve to remove air from the interior of the container to create a vacuum in the container. The diaphragm is pushed inward by atmospheric forces upon removal of the air until the diaphragm touches and conforms to at least upper exposed surfaces of the contents of the container. The storage container aids in preventing degradation of the contents of the container by maintaining the contents free from the degrading effects of air and by substantially immobilizing the contents during movement of the container to protect the contents from breakage and bruising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Brian C. Dais
  • Publication number: 20130306586
    Abstract: A closure including a shell having a base wall with an axial outer surface and an undersurface, an annular skirt around a periphery of the base wall, and circumferentially spaced securement elements extending radially inwardly from the skirt. A gasket is carried by the shell, and has a base surface in contact with the undersurface of the base wall of the shell and an oppositely disposed sealing surface. An elongated flexible member extends between the sealing surface of the gasket and the axial outer surface of the shell and around a portion of the skirt circumferentially between the securement elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Edward A. Grant
  • Patent number: 8567628
    Abstract: A fuel cap includes a filler-neck closure including a pressure-relief valve and a vacuum-relief valve and a handle arranged to overlie the filler-neck closure. The fuel cap also includes a torque-transmission ring arranged to lie between the handle and the filler-neck closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Stant USA Corp.
    Inventors: Gary L. Dunkle, Louis T. Frank
  • Patent number: 8540116
    Abstract: A hinged container is disclosed, including a base, a lid, and a hinge joining the base and lid, allowing the lid to pivot open or closed relative to the base. One of the base and the lid has a circular, outwardly tapered outer seal member disposed at least partially within its outer perimeter. The other of the base and the lid has a circular, inwardly-tapered inner seal member disposed at least partially within its outer perimeter. The inner and outer seal members are positioned to engage concentrically to wedge the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces together and form a seal when the base and the lid are closed, and to disengage concentrically to part the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces when the base and the lid are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Giraud, Michel Zbirka
  • Patent number: 8519308
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved perforated lid (10) for containers for cooking foods, comprising holes (15) for the passage of vapor and gas going upwards and of condensed vapor going downwards and means for cooling and condensing vapor passing through said holes, and means for supporting said means for cooling vapor, wherein said means for cooling vapor are made of a sequence, starting from the container for cooking foods and going upwards, comprised of a perforated lower plate (11), at least one perforated intermediate plate (12) and an upper plate (13) that is not perforated, and said means for supporting said means for cooling vapor are made of a lower spacing element (16), positioned between said lower plate (11) and said intermediate plate (12) and of an upper spacing element (18), positioned between said intermediate plate (12) and said upper plate (13). The invention further concerns a fryer (20) for use with said perforated lid (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: BY ME S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luciano Ferrari, Marco Ferrari
  • Patent number: 8469217
    Abstract: A thermoformed container comprising a tray having a bottom wall with a recess for storing food items, an open top for providing access to the recess and a cover sized to close the open top of the tray. The cover is hingedly connected to the tray, with both the cover and tray having cooperating structures that form a closure when the container is closed, with a vent structure provided in the container for venting the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan Paul Gingras
  • Publication number: 20130082054
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for containers loaded by gas pressure, in particular the gas side (13) of hydropneumatic devices such as hydraulic accumulators (1), is characterized in that the safety apparatus has a connection device (19) that can be attached to the pressure chamber of the container in order to form a passage (25) between the gas side (13) of the container and the outside, and that a means (27) is present, which normally blocks the passage (25) and which under the influence of temperature can be transferred into a state that allows a flow path through the passage (25) to be cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Martin Groben
  • Patent number: 8317049
    Abstract: A vacuum breaker arrangement for use with a container includes body parts holding a resilient valve member captive. The valve member includes an intermediate body part, intermediate and enlarged head and a valve part. The valve part is made of resilient material which defines an internal passageway communicating with an opening in the body parts. The valve part includes an end portion defining a slit which is closed at a first pressure and which is automatically opened at a second, reduced pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Protectoseal Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Piotrowski, Christian A. Mutzbauer
  • Patent number: 8231027
    Abstract: A cover for a container fits with a sliding air tight fit over the container body. A cover air release valve allows escape of air from the container when removing and installing the cover to create a vacuum seal fit. A handle positioned adjacent to the air release valve enables a user to remove and install the cover with a single hand gripping the handle and pressing the air release valve. Protrusions extending from opposite sides of the container sleeve engage mating L-shaped openings in a bottom edge of the cover to lock the cover in place. Special dual sided cradles engage a top of a vacuum sealed container below each cradle and a bottom of a vacuum sealed container above each cradle so that a series of cradles are used to vertically stack a number of vacuum sealed containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventors: Jui Te Wang, Jordan S. Tarlow
  • Patent number: 8186533
    Abstract: A device for storing food products in combination with a component, such as a plate or a bowl, such that a visual indication of secure engagement is provided and the device does not require a specific corresponding mating structure in order to provide an air-tight seal between said device and the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Tseng
  • Patent number: 8186527
    Abstract: A vacuum sealing cap for a container includes an outer cap body, an inner cap body movable toward or away from the outer cap body, a sealing gasket compressible by the outer cap body to abut sealingly against the mouth of the container when the inner cap body moves toward the outer cap body, a slide member connected to the inner cap body, and an operating member connected pivotally to the slide member and pivotable between first and second positions, where the operating member pulls upwardly and pushes downwardly the slide member to move the inner cap body upwardly toward and downwardly away from the outer cap body. The sealing gasket is pressed and is not pressed sealingly against the mouth of the container in the first and second positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Free-Free Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Sheng-Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 8181809
    Abstract: In order to provide a reversible closure for containers which are subjected to an internal pressure in accordance with the invention there is proposed a closure device (200) comprising a deformable stretchable planarly extending cover (205) which can be moved into at least two operating positions, wherein the cover is aligned in a first operating position with the opening of the container and in a second operating position it undercuts the opening of the container over the entire periphery with a peripheral edge portion (222) so that the undercutting region (33) on the cover and the undercut region on the container form complementary sealing surfaces for gas-tightly and liquid-tightly closing the opening. The closure device further has an actuable means (260) for applying a force to the cover for deformation of the cover in such a way that it is deformable from one of the two operating positions into the other operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Ball Packaging Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Lutz Strube
  • Publication number: 20120118888
    Abstract: A container having venting means and a method for sealing a lid to the container without damaging or weakening the container are disclosed. The container, such as a cup, includes venting means in the interior surface of the container side wall generally adjacent a lid seal to allow air that would otherwise be forced into and become trapped in the container when the lid is sealed to the lid seal to vent from the container to prevent weakening of, damage to or ultimate failure of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: WELLS' DAIRY INC.
    Inventors: DAVID D. ALBRECHT, MICHAEL W. FISCHER
  • Publication number: 20120091136
    Abstract: A container comprising a cover hingedly connected to a tray, with both the cover and tray having cooperating structures that form a closure when the container is closed, with a vent structure provided in the container for venting the interior of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: DART CONTAINER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryan Paul Gingras
  • Patent number: 8146765
    Abstract: A sealing cover includes a cover coupling with a seal ring which has two blades to form a double sealing effect. Thus a container can be sealed by the cover more securely and the opening of the container can be maintained intact. The cover also has a coupling opening and a plurality of air vents. The coupling opening is coupled with an air permeable parasol valve which can release air to facilitate capping of the cover on the opening of the container. Through an air suction means the container can be vacuumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Idearite Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8113246
    Abstract: A vacuum fresh-keeping cover includes an upper cover, a top of which is connected with an air suction-ventilation device, a lower rim of which is connected with a soft gasket that can be suppressed on any horizontal surface, and an interior of which is formed with a container space. When a barometric value of the container space gets larger, the air suction-ventilation device is activated to expel out air in the container space continuously, to keep the container space at a near vacuum condition for preserving objects or food. When pulling up a touching element of the air suction-ventilation device, the air in the container space is drained out by the air suction-ventilation device to quickly remove the upper cover, to facilitate consumers for use, and to conveniently separate the air suction-ventilation device from the upper cover, for easily washing the upper cover with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Kuo Chin Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8100288
    Abstract: A hinged container is disclosed, including a base, a lid, and a hinge joining the base and lid, allowing the lid to pivot open or closed relative to the base. One of the base and the lid has a circular, outwardly tapered outer seal member disposed at least partially within its outer perimeter. The other of the base and the lid has a circular, inwardly-tapered inner seal member disposed at least partially within its outer perimeter. The inner and outer seal members are positioned to engage concentrically to wedge the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces together and form a seal when the base and the lid are closed, and to disengage concentrically to part the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces when the base and the lid are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Giraud, Michel Zbirka
  • Patent number: 7895815
    Abstract: Devices comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. One embodiment utilizes a plug that occludes an opening in a housing. The plug is displaced from the opening to inject or evacuate air from a container. An alternative embodiment utilizes a plug having air channels therein which can be sealed once air has been injected into or evacuated from a container. The devices are utilized with hose adaptors connected to vacuum or air hoses having specialized hose tips for coupling with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph M. Waldron
  • Publication number: 20100326987
    Abstract: A vacuum seal valve is applied to a lid for the air-tight closing of a container for the packaging of products, particularly food products, including a closing body arranged for sealing a hole for evacuating air from the container, from which at least one punching member stems that is adapted to pierce the lid closing the container so as to form such evacuating hole. A reciprocating mechanical vacuum pump, with manual actuation, evacuates air from a container arranged for the vacuum packaging of products, for example food products, via application of the vacuum sealing valve. The pump has, at its base, a recess adapted to form a housing for retaining the valve, whereby the lowering movement of the plunger allows driving the valve in a lid of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: F.A.C.E.M. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Ferlito, Davide Demartini, Davide Adriano, Gabriele Adriano
  • Publication number: 20100294767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container comprising: a receptacle comprising an internal cavity designed to accommodate contents, and an opening; a lid capable of closing the opening; means for connecting the lid to the receptacle in such a way as to allow the lid to pivot with respect to the receptacle; and a capsule arranged between the receptacle and the lid, which capsule hermetically seals the opening; in which the capsule is held against an edge of the opening by negative pressure inside the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: PONT EMBALLAGE
    Inventors: Frédéric Catteau, Richard Menard