Pivotable Secondary Closure Patents (Class 220/254.3)
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Patent number: 7021481Abstract: A lid for use with a container may include a panel and a first dispensing opening on the panel. The lid may also include a first closure on the panel, where the first closure may include a second dispensing opening. The first closure may be configured to at least partially cover the first dispensing opening. The lid may further include a second closure on the panel, where the second closure may be configured to cover the second dispensing opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: Freida St. Germain, Tim Kilpatrick, James S. Sheffield
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Patent number: 7011227Abstract: A removable and reusable cap for a container is provided. The cap has a platform portion and peripherally associated upstanding and downwardly extending portions, and a depression is defined across the platform portion. In the depression, a dispensing aperture and preferably a vent are defined which are opened and closed by a closure plate that is received within the depression and that has a proximal end which is pivotably associated with the depression. The distal end of the closure plate is pivotally associated with a pull ring that is biased into association with the closure plate and that is nestably received in the closure plate, but that has a finger associatable apex region. When the pull ring is pivoted upwardly, the closure plate is pivoted and the dispensing aperture and vent are opened, preferably the vent before the dispensing aperture.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Ignite Design, LLCInventors: Evan T. Ward, Donald J. Nole
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Patent number: 7007830Abstract: A closure for a container includes a base with at least one opening for dispensing a material from the container and a cover coupled atop the base. The cover includes at least one flap that is movable between an open position for dispensing the material and a closed position for covering the opening. At least one projection extends from the flap to releasably retain the flap in the closed position. A tab extends from the projection. A guide surface is provided on the tab and is configured to contact an edge of the opening when the flap is moved toward the closed position and is configured to create a wedging interaction with the edge of the opening when the flap is moved further toward the closed position. The flap is retained in the closed position by the wedging interaction of the tab and the edge.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Gateway Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Terrence M. Parve, William C. Vogel
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Patent number: 6986434Abstract: The base part and lid part of a container closure joined by a living hinge have positioning members which engage to maintain the lid in a full open position or a partially open position short of the full open position. The positioning members flex to allow the lid part to be initially closed from an as-molded position beyond the full open position. A latch guide cams a latch into engagement to assure closure of the lid part.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventors: Stephen B. Getsy, Gary L. Mengeu, Frederick P. Minkemeyer, Dewey R. Carlile, Jr.
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Patent number: 6981607Abstract: A container cap assembly comprises a one-piece integrally molded annular cap body hinged to a one-piece integrally molded lid. The cap body has a lower section with internal female threads for cooperation with matching male threads on a container and an annular upwardly extending flange. The lid has a downwardly extending flange. The flanges have interlocking sealing surfaces which extend outwardly at an acute angle to the vertical so that the lid flange will snap over the cap body flange in the closing mode and retain the lid in a closed and sealed position relative to the cap body until the lid is forced upwardly.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Snapware CorporationInventors: John M. Lown, Todd S. Ray
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Patent number: 6951292Abstract: A container (10) with a hinged lid comprises a container body (11), a hinged lid (23) hinged on the container body (11), and a bottom wall (12) tightly covering the open lower end of the container body (11). A rubber plate 50) is provided between the hinged lid (23) and the container body (11). The container body (11) has an upper wall (27) provided with an opening (24), and a side wall (13). The hinged lid (23) is supported on the side wall (13) of the container body (11). Since the hinged lid (23) is supported on the side wall (13), the hinged lid (23) can be formed in a large shape. The container body (11) is provided with a catching projection (33) for catching a locking projection (32) formed on the hinged lid (23).Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignees: Uni-Charm Corporation, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Bando, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Katsumi Kameda, Masaho Hayashi, Norikazu Shinogi
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Patent number: 6948633Abstract: A drink-thru lid for a drinking cup including an annular mounting portion for sealingly engaging the drinking cup, wherein the annular mounting portion includes a downwardly extending annular skirt. The lid further includes a tear-back section extending from the annular skirt to a hinge portion located in a medial portion of the lid. The tear-back section includes a raised protrusion extending outwardly from an upper surface of the lid. A recess is further formed in a medial portion of the lid on the opposite side of the hinge portion from the raised protrusion, wherein the tear-back section may be torn away from the lid on its sides and pivoted about the hinge portion until the raised protrusion is received within the recess for holding said pivotal flap open. The raised protrusion and the recess are shaped such that the raised protrusion is frictionally engaged by the end walls of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Fort James CorporationInventors: Michael Freek, Michael Thomas
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Patent number: 6942118Abstract: This invention relates to a closure arrangement for closing an opening in a base component. In particular—but not exclusively—this invention relates to a closure arrangement for a container, to serve as an openable lid for the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Martin Zethoff, Thomas Radtke, Kenneth Young, Bernard Sams, Stephen Sams
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Patent number: 6938791Abstract: A lid for a cold box has a shell-like configuration with front and rear shell members hingedly connected. The front shell member pivots relative to the rear shell member to provide access to the interior of the cold box when the front shell member is lifted by a handle. A viewing window is provided in the front shell member. The rear shell member is vented to provide passageways for the intake and outtake of air.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Display Industries, LLC.Inventors: James David Robertson, Bernard Primiano, Ming Sun
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Patent number: 6929143Abstract: A plastic drink-through lid of the type having a deck, a peripheral skirt, and a partially separable, preformed tab in the deck to form a drink-through hold which does not extend through the peripheral skirt. The tab has an upstanding thumb catch preformed thereon. The fold back hinge is formed in the deck immediately adjacent the tab and spaced less than about one-half of the lid radius from the periphery. This creates a very short throw which allows a user to open the tab and lock it back with the thumb of the same hand that is holding the cup.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: M & N Plastics, Inc.Inventor: Ivonis M. Mazzarolo
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Patent number: 6929142Abstract: A hatch cover for deployment over a hatchway formed in a floating roof liquid storage tank permits rapid loading and unloading of inspection or maintenance equipment and minimizes vapor emissions from the tank. The portable hatch cover has two base plates movably connected at a hinge and each defining complementary recesses. A circular flange extends from the bottom surfaces of the base plates to seat the hatch cover in the hatchway. Two door panels are movably connected at hinges to the top surfaces of the base plates. When one or both of the door panels are opened, equipment may be loaded into the tank through the complementary recesses. When closed, the door panels cover the recesses in the base plates. Complementary notches in the door panels provide an opening through which equipment tubing or wiring may extend when the door panels are closed. A collar gasket optionally may be wrapped around the tubing or wiring as a further means to limit vapor emissions from the tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2002Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: AST Services LLCInventors: David L. Gilbert, David G. Reed
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Patent number: 6929120Abstract: A packaging unit (10) for containing, for example cigarettes (44) has a body made of curved metal (12) and curved metal back (14) surfaces connected by metal sides (16), and a metal bottom (20), preferably having a central raised exterior part or bottom (42) surrounded by a ridge (40), with a lid (22) having a straight hinge (24) across the top, where the unit is capable of hermetic sealing.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Harry R. Zonker, Michael J. Anthony, Richard R. Mathabel, Eileen M. Kenzevich, Mark S. Abel
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Patent number: 6889859Abstract: The invention disclosed herein generally concerns a lid for disposable or reusable beverage containers which facilitates access to the contents for addition of condiment and which enhances the users sensory perception of the state of such contents, without removal of the lid. The lid of the invention combines various sensory elements to simultaneously enhance the user's sensory responses of taste, smell, touch and sight during drinking with the beverage cup lid in place. The sensory elements comprise openings, transparent materials, shape and media, through which liquid and vapor can pass, and through which heat can, conduct or convect. In addition to the elements already described, the beverage cup lid of the invention comprises a physical element that allows the addition and stirring of condiments while the lid is fully installed on the cup. The invention disclosed herein integrates multiple elements of a press and lock on a beverage cup lid.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Inventor: Richard Joseph Leon
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Patent number: 6889860Abstract: A plastic drink-through lid of the type having a deck, a peripheral skirt, and a partially separable, preformed tab in the deck to form a drink-through hold which does not extend through the peripheral skirt. The tab has an upstanding thumb catch preformed thereon. The fold back hinge is formed in the deck immediately adjacent the tab and spaced less than about one-half of the lid radius from the periphery. This creates a very short throw which allows a user to open the tab and lock it back with the thumb of the same hand that is holding the cup.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: M & N Plastics, Inc.Inventor: Ivonis M. Mazzarolo
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Patent number: 6874649Abstract: The present invention provides a lid 1 for a beverage cup. The lid 1 has a generally annular side wall 6, a rib 7 depending from the side wall 6, and a top wall 5 extending radially inward from the side wall 6. The lid 1 further includes a central region 4 positioned radially inward of the top wall 5. The central region 4 has a well 4b with a notched portion 24. The lid 1 also includes a projection 18 extending from a portion of the side wall 6. A living hinge formed by a line of weakness at the base 23 of the projection 18 permits the projection 18 to pivoted between an open position and a closed position. The central region 4 has a shoulder portion 24 that engages the tip 20 of the projection 18 to secure the projection 18 in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Solo Cup CompanyInventors: Brian Norman Clarke, Peter Robert Wills, Nigel Frank Taylor
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Patent number: 6863189Abstract: The closing device consisting of a sleeve that seals onto the neck of a bottle and that comprises an internal channel which opens, via a new orifice in a sliding-contact surface with associated slopes and slideways acting as guide means to a shut-off plate for closing the new orifice which is moved translationally by a knob, which sliding-contact surface may be planar or in the form of a sector of a cylinder of revolution or in the form of a portion of a sphere.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1999Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: L & M Services B.V.Inventor: Bruno Teppe
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Patent number: 6857538Abstract: A cover assembly includes a ring mounted on a garbage bin, a cover mounted on the ring and a slow pivot device for slowly pivoting the cover relative to the ring. The slow pivot device includes a slow pivot element installed between the ring and the cover. The slow pivot element includes an internal tube, an external tube enclosing the internal tube and a spring connected between the internal tube and the external tube. Thus, rotation of the internal tube relative to the external tube exerts a torque on the spring. The spring is received in the internal tube so that an end thereof is connected with the internal tube. The internal tube is received in the internal tube so that an end thereof is connected with the internal tube. The internal tube is received in the external tube so that the other end of the spring is connected with the external tube. The internal tube includes a clip formed on an internal side thereof for clipping an end of the spring.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Inventor: Tsong-Yow Lin
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Patent number: 6851567Abstract: The meter box lid has an opening extending between its top and bottom sides with a door movable to an open or closed position. Also provided is a U-shaped shelf or holder which can be removably coupled to the bottom side of the lid for forming a cavity below the bottom side of the lid for holding a transponder for meter reading purposes such that the lid without the holder can be provided to users who do not use transponders or with the holder to users who use transponders for meter reading purposes.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Inventor: James Stephen McKinnon
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Publication number: 20040256387Abstract: A lid for a container holding a flowable substance wherein the lid has a body with a top wall, a side wall, and a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The body has a drink opening and at least one retaining member positioned in the top wall in various positions with respect to the drink opening. The lid further has a closure member that is movable between a first position wherein a portion of the closure member is received in the opening, and a second position wherein a portion of the closure member is received in the retaining member. The opening and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the opening. The retaining member and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the retaining member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventor: Stephen Alan Smith
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Publication number: 20040226950Abstract: An integrally-formed cover for a container is disclosed. The integrally-formed cover comprises a cylindrical portion, a top portion, a shaker flap, a spooning flap, and an upwardly projecting lip. The top portion has a plurality of shaker openings and a spooning opening. The shaker flap and the spooning flap each have an outer edge with a downwardly extending skirt. The shaker flap and spooning flap are configured for selective movement between an open position and a closed position. The lip extends substantially around the shaker flap and the spooning flap and is configured to provide a guide for positioning a bottom of a container stacked on the top portion of the container cover. The cover may also comprise a sealing projection. The sealing projection may be circular and may be disposed inside the cylindrical portion. A container comprising a closed-bottom receptacle having an open and cylindrical upper end to which an integrally-formed cover is secured is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Gateway Plastics, Inc.Inventors: John B. Samz, William C. Vogel
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Patent number: 6811049Abstract: A splash-proof lid assembly is a substantially planar unit which is made up of a disc and a bottom section that is rotatably connected to the disc. By rotating the bottom section to the underside of the disc, a chamber is formed which allows for drinking from a cup once the lid is placed on the cup.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Inventor: Temo Lukacevic
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Publication number: 20040206757Abstract: A universal box top lid is adapted to be attached to the opened top of a variety of different sizes of food packaging boxes. The lid is designed to fit over the opened box top with an opened bag containing the food product inside the box being held open by an apron formed on an inner wall of the lid. The lid is provided with a cap closure that can be opened when it is desired to dispense the food product contained in the packaging box and bag, and can be closed to preserve the food product.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Charles E. Hall, William A. Hall, Steven C. Hall, Michael J. Reddy
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Publication number: 20040195238Abstract: A hinged cover for a cooking utensil comprising a cover body having a cutout portion, a hinged section fitted within the cutout portion and pivotally attached to the cover body. The cover body and hinged section have circumferential perimeters which, when combined, define a total circumference of the hinged cover, wherein the perimeter of the hinged section is less than 50% of the total circumference of the hinged cover to prevent the cover from falling into the utensil when the hinged section is raised. Access can be gained to the cooking utensil by raising the hinged cover for removing or adding food products to the interior of the utensil without removing or otherwise displacing the cover from the cooking utensil.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Spring USA CorporationInventor: Francis Thomas Brija
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Publication number: 20040195239Abstract: The present invention is a tear-back, drink-through lid for a beverage container. The lid includes a tear-back portion. A raised protrusion extends from an upper surface of the tear-back portion and has two opposite side walls that each includes a first latching member. A first recess is formed in a top wall of the lid radially inward from the tear-back portion and has two opposing side walls that each includes a second latching member. To retain the tear-back portion of the lid in an open position, the raised protrusion is inserted within the first recess so that the first latching members are pushed past the second latching members to engage the second latching members.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Fort James CorporationInventors: Jonathan E. Rush, Alois A. Schmidtner, Wayne A. Brown, Trung Tran
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Publication number: 20040195241Abstract: A closure is provided for a container having a raised lip proximal to an open end thereof. The closure includes a cap with a cover, at least two locking levers located on the cap, each lever having an upper actuation arm and lower locking arm, and an elastically deformable hinge connecting the cap and each locking lever. Further, each of the lower locking arms includes an inwardly projecting locking wedge. Each deformable hinge is located between the upper and lower arms of the locking lever thereby providing a fulcrum about which each locking lever may pivot. Radial displacement of the upper actuation arms results in radial displacement of each locking arm, thereby causing each locking wedge to releasably engage the container lip.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Jameson P. Stull, Robert T. Auer
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Patent number: 6800072Abstract: A contrast dispensing system (10) reduces cost by directly connecting a check valve (210) to and between the reservoir inlet port (220) and the mating luer connector (204) of a disposable set (200). A contrast dispensing system (10) includes as part of the reservoir (212) an integrally molded cap (280) having the inlet port (200) and a lateral pipe (300) to confine contrast media (14) therein and disperse it at separate locations (334, 336) within the chamber (260) of reservoir (212). The reservoir (212) may have a vent port (284) with a flip cap (294) for selectively opening or closing same.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Medex, Inc.Inventor: Charles R. Patzer
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Publication number: 20040182860Abstract: A seal container assembly includes a container body, a cover, a seal plate, and a sealing member. Thus, the seal container assembly can be assembled and disassembled easily and conveniently, thereby decreasing costs of assembly and disassembly of the seal container assembly. In addition, the enclosure of the sealing member is flexible so that it can be deformed to a determined extent to seal the ventilating hole of the cover closely and tightly, thereby enhancing the sealing effect of the seal container assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Ching-Teh Wu, Reh-Teh Wang
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Patent number: 6783018Abstract: A lid device for a minnow bucket for converting a conventional bucket into a minnow bucket. The lid device for a minnow bucket includes a panel having a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge. The panel has a diameter generally equal to an inner diameter of a bucket. A peripheral lip is coupled to and extends upwardly from the peripheral edge. The peripheral lip has a bottom edge having a slot extending upwardly therein and adapted for receiving a top edge of the bucket, the panel has an opening therein. A door selectively opens and closes the opening. The door has a shape generally identical to a shape of the opening. The door is hingedly, coupled to the panel such that the door may be moved between an open and a closed position. The door has a plurality of holes extending therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Inventor: Gary M. Rondeau
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Patent number: 6783019Abstract: A lid includes a top having a cover receiving portion having a first aperture and a second aperture formed therein, a hinge positioned about a center of the cover receiving portion such that the first aperture is on one side of the hinge and the second aperture is on an opposite side of the hinge, and a cover having two directly opposing sidewalls rotatably attached to the cover receiving portion via the hinge. Each sidewall includes a protrusion extending therefrom shaped to fit within one of the first and second apertures. The cover pivots relative to the cover receiving portion so as to engage either the first aperture or the second aperture, and when the protrusion on one sidewall of the cover is pivoted towards the first aperture, the protrusion on the other sidewall simultaneously pivots away from the second aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Inventors: Jeffrey J. Zettle, Gregory Ball, Anthony Weber, Anthony R. Miller, William L. DiMieri
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Patent number: 6772904Abstract: The invention provides a container for viscous dressing products that includes a jar and a closure or lid. The lid may be hingedly attached to the container so as to remain attached to the jar after opening. The container provides protection for the viscous dressing product during packaging, shipping, handling, retail display and consumer use, and also makes the viscous dressing readily accessible to the consumer. The container preferably includes a shelf or wiper on the closure to permit the consumer to swipe a serving utensil on the shelf to remove excess viscous dressing product from the utensil. The jar is preferably provided with improved handling characteristics as compared with prior art jars of circular cross section. In the preferred embodiments, the shape of the jar as viewed in plan is generally oval.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Cheryl M. Gilliam, Anne Bucher
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Patent number: 6763963Abstract: A method and device for opening a drink can provided with a frangible obturator which can be pushed back inside the can using a tongue that is fixed in a horizontal position in the middle of the lid by means of a rivet on which the tongue can pivot as a lever to produce an opening which is later closed by a movable case that is adapted on the tongue which is pivoted around the river in order to move onto the opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: AklineInventor: Didier Martin
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Patent number: 6763964Abstract: A leak proof lid for a beverage container has a rocker arm which may be moved between open and closed positions by one hand. The lid is provided with drinking and venting apertures and respective basins within the lid. The rocker arm includes venting and drinking seals for sealing the respective aperture when the rocker arm is in the closed position. The rocker arm is easily removable from an upper side of the lid to facilitate cleaning the venting and drinking aperture and seals on the rocker arm.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Pacific Market, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Hurlbut, Tami L. Fujii, Sara E. Hill, B. Cameron Smith, Scott C. Thielman
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Patent number: 6761279Abstract: A package, particularly suited for containing viscous foodstuff, comprising a wide-mouth generally rectangular container and a dispensing closure. The closure seals onto the container with a push-on motion and includes a resealable flip-up hinged lid. The container is originally sealed, after being filled, with a seal membrane applied to the container mouth. The closure is configured to permit the seal membrane to be conveniently removed from the container mouth while the closure remains assembled on the container.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Weatherchem CorporationInventors: Douglas S. Martin, Joel Wennerstrom
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Patent number: 6761278Abstract: An ambidextrous lid assembly that allows a lid to be opened from either side of a compartment is disclosed. The lid assembly includes at least a first frame member adapted to be pivotally attached proximate the compartment opening. The first frame member has an opening that allows access therethrough to at least a portion of the interior of the compartment when the first frame member is closed against the perimeter of the compartment opening. The lid assembly includes a second frame member that is pivotally attached to the first frame member and either by itself or in cooperation with a lid cover provides a closure for the opening in the first frame member. The first frame member carries a latch for securing it about the opening, and the second frame member carries a latch for securing it to the first frame member.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Hyp, John Andrew Erikson
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Patent number: 6761283Abstract: The invention provides a container for viscous dressing products that includes a jar and a closure or lid. The lid may be hingedly attached to the container so as to remain attached to the jar after opening. The container provides protection for the viscous dressing product during packaging, shipping, handling, retail display and consumer use, and also makes the viscous dressing readily accessible to the consumer. The container preferably includes a shelf or wiper on the closure to permit the consumer to swipe a serving utensil on the shelf to remove excess viscous dressing product from the utensil. The jar is preferably provided with improved handling characteristics as compared with prior art jars of circular cross section. In the preferred embodiments, the shape of the jar as viewed in plan is generally oval.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Cheryl M. Gilliam, Anne Bucher
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Publication number: 20040118846Abstract: A bottle cap and cap and bottle combination suitable for use with condiments are described. The cap has a small and large orifice and is designed for use on squeezable bottles to ensure complete removal of condiment within the squeezable bottle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: Unilever Bestfoods North AmericaInventor: Thomas Vincent Merolla
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Publication number: 20040118847Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a lid for use in combination with a drinking cup and more particularly to a lid through which beverage can be consumed while minimizing, if not eliminating, spillage of the beverage. Also, the lid is provided with a flap that seals the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventor: Jean-Pierre Giraud
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Patent number: 6742666Abstract: A lid for a container is provided generally comprising a main body and a door having a flip section pivotally connected to a push section, the push section pivotally connected to the main body. The main body includes a recess that defines a pivot wall. The flip section is positioned to engage the pivot wall and rotate relative to the push section in response to downward pressure on the push section. The floor of the recess includes a dispensing hole sized to dispense large items. Preferably, the dispensing hole is sized to accommodate a person's fingers while gasping an item. Additionally, the flip section of the door includes a sealing ring projecting from the underside of the door. The sealing ring is sized to engage the inner periphery of the dispensing hole to provide a seal to preserve organic or other perishable items.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: J.L. Clark, Inc.Inventors: David K. Bried, George Solowiejko, Gary D. Johnson, C. Alan Peet, Philip M. Baerenwald, Michael A. Yarbro
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Patent number: 6732873Abstract: A lid for a container is provided generally comprising a main body and a door having a flip section pivotally connected to a push section, the push section pivotally connected to the main body. The main body includes a recess that defines a pivot wall. The flip section is positioned to engage the pivot wall and rotate relative to the push section in response to downward pressure on the push section. A detent mechanism is used to control opening the door in at least two stages. In the first stage, the detent mechanism substantially fixes the push section in a closed position, and in the second stage substantially fixes the push section in an open position. In one embodiment, the floor of the recess is sloped to increase container space and limit flexure of the push section of the door.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: J.L. Clark, Inc.Inventors: David K. Bried, George Solowiejko, Gary D. Johnson, C. Alan Peet, Philip M. Baerenwald, Michael A. Yarbro
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Publication number: 20040074936Abstract: Quick access to the interior of a soft-sided cooler is provided by means of a quick access flap (26) hinged to the top panel (18) of a cooler body (10) and overlying an access opening (30). A tab (36) is made of material of significantly greater flexibility than that of which the flap (26) or the top panel (18) are formed and extends beyond the envelope of the top panel (18) so as to be readily graspable by the user of the cooler without forming a snag point on the cooler.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2002Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventor: Hugh J. McDonald
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Publication number: 20040069783Abstract: An easily usable bottle cap includes a cap base, an upper cap, two press buttons, a flexible sucking tube and a straw. The cap base has a lower connect member to engage with an upper end of a bottle containing water or the like. A user only presses the two press buttons inward to compress two coil springs for disengage engage blocks from the upper cap so as to let the upper cap swung up by resilience recovery of the flexible sucking tube. Then a user can use the sucking tube to drink liquid contained in a bottle threadably combined with the cap base through the straw connected with the sucking tube. The upper cap can be kept closed on the cap base by swinging down to engage the engage blocks with hooks of the upper cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2002Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventor: Sin-Hsiung Chen
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Publication number: 20040060934Abstract: A spill-resistant beverage cup lid which includes a well for adding liquid or powder condiments to a hot beverage and which also serves as a drinking portal is described. The well includes a plurality of apertures in a side wall of the well allowing the condiments to mix with the beverage. In an alternative embodiment, the well further includes a removable flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Phillip-Kevin Haynes, Michael Pallotta
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Patent number: 6705482Abstract: A closure for sealing the open end of body fluid collection, transport or storage containers or tubes. The closure includes a ball and socket arrangement, wherein the ball rotates within the socket to align a passageway through the ball with the opening in the tube. To close the closure, a tab or protrusion extending from the ball is pushed to rotate the ball and orient the passageway perpendicular to the opening of the tube. When the closure is in the closed position, the ball and socket form a liquid tight seal to prevent liquid in the tube from leaking out of the tube, evaporating or being contaminated.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventors: Steven Robert Savitz, Gary S. Grant
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Patent number: 6702137Abstract: A plug for a liquid container comprises an outer plug, an inner plug and a fixing device. The outer plug is substantially a cylinder shape with a bottom wall and detachably installed onto a liquid container, wherein a liquid passage hole is penetrated through the bottom wall, and a liquid passage is formed between the bottom wall and an upper opening of the outer plug body. The inner plug is pivotally connected to the outer plug through a hinge, wherein the inner plug further comprises a liquid inlet seal member for sealing the liquid passage hole and a liquid outlet seal member for sealing an inner wall near the upper opening of the outer plug. The fixing device is used for fixing the inner plug onto the outer plug.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corp.Inventors: Yasuhiro Kowa, Takashi Ohno, Ikuo Miura
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Patent number: 6691901Abstract: A retainer is disclosed for a closure for a container, having a base portion and flaps for covering and uncovering dispensing openings. The retainer includes an interface coupled to the flap and configured to provide an interference with the base and a member coupled to the interface and configured to engage an edge of the base to eliminate the interference when the flap is moved to a closed position. A method of securing a flap to a closure for a container is disclosed and includes providing a flap hinged to the closure, coupling an interface to the flap, configuring the interface to provide at least a partial interference with a portion of the closure in a first position, providing a guide on the interface configured to engage an edge of the closure in the first position and eliminating the interference when the flap is moved to a second position.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Gateway Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Terrence M. Parve, William C. Vogel
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Patent number: 6679397Abstract: A lid for a container holding a flowable substance has an annular top wall. A side wall depends from the top wall, and has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The top wall has an opening that is adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The top wall also has a retaining member. The lid further has a closure member positioned on the mounting portion. The closure member is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the closure member is received in the opening in the first position and at least a portion of the closure member is received in the retaining member in the second position. The opening and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the opening. The retaining member and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the retaining member.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Solo Cup CompanyInventors: Stephen Alan Smith, Dawn Ellen Huston, Warren Giles Wiedmeyer, Stephen William Sullivan, Rich Matthiew Chin, Mohammed Maqsood Ahmed, John Stewart Gitschlag, David Raymond Langelan, Rajendra Ranjitbhai Chauhan, William Edward Hurst, James Tam Joines, Jr., Kevin Ray Smith, Mark Gerald Anhalt, Brian Norman Clarke
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Publication number: 20030222083Abstract: The invention relates to a top (A, B) for mounting on a container, preferably a can, comprising a fixed part (B) mounted on top of the container, said fixed part having means for capturing the container, said fixed part (B) further having an opening (6) connecting the top of the container to the upper side of the fixed part. The top (A, B) further comprises a flexible part (A) connected to the fixed part (B) in such a position that it may bear against the opening (6) of the fixed part (B); and sealing means (12) connected to the top (A, B). The sealing means (12) is pressed against the top of the container around an opening (2a) in the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventor: Christina Pladsbjerg
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Patent number: 6644490Abstract: A lid, suitable for “take-away” hot and cold beverage containers, which reduces spillage of the container contents and allows the user to store the container contents for consumption at a later date. The lid comprises a main body portion, incorporating an aperture for discharging the container contents, and a flexible arm portion, connected to the body portion and having a closure member positioned thereon. When a user requires to store the contents of the container for consumption at a later date, the flexible arm portion can be bent over the top of the main body portion and the closure member engaged in the aperture so as to seal it. The main body portion may also include a recess, suitably shaped to receive the closure member, wherein, when the user requires to discharge the container contents through the aperture, the closure member can be engaged in the recess such that the arm portion does not interfere with the discharge of the container contents through the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Solo Cup CompanyInventor: Brian Norman Clarke
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Publication number: 20030201265Abstract: A cover assembly includes a ring mounted on a garbage bin, a cover mounted on the ring and a slot pivot device for slowly pivoting the cover relative to the ring. The slow pivot device includes a slow pivot element installed between the ring and the cover. The slow pivot element includes an internal tube, an external tube enclosing the internal tube and a spring connected between the internal tube and the external tube. Thus, rotation of the internal tube relative to the external tube exerts a torque on the spring. The spring is received in the internal tube so that an end thereof is connected with the internal tube. The internal tube is received in the external tube so that the other end of the spring is connected with the external tube. The internal tube includes a clip formed on an internal side thereof for clipping an end of the spring. The external tube includes a clip formed on an internal side thereof for clipping an opposite end of the spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventor: Tsong-Yow Lin
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Publication number: 20030192889Abstract: The present invention relates to a metallic beverage can end and more specifically to a substantially spillproof end which is adapted for penetration and opening by a drinking straw.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Howard C. Chasteen, Gene Lee