Molded Patents (Class 220/659)
  • Patent number: 11014731
    Abstract: A container is provided. The container includes multiple sidewalls extending in a substantially vertical direction and a bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a central portion, a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portion includes a first radius of curvature with a first center of curvature located on a first side of the bottom wall of the container, while the second curved portion terminates at the sidewalls and include a second radius of curvature with a second center of curvature located on a second side of the bottom wall of the container. The container further includes multiple reinforcing ribs located on the second side, each of the reinforcing ribs having a minimum height proximate the first curved portion and a maximum height proximate the second curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Gateway Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur W. Habitz
  • Patent number: 10562680
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to forming shaped thermoplastic articles having smooth peripheries. Many thermoplastic articles have sharp edges formed upon molding or cutting the article from a feedstock sheet. Such sharp edges can damage thin plastic films or flesh which they contact, and smoothing the edges is desirable. Described herein are methods of forming a smooth periphery for such sharp-edged articles by rolling over the sharp edge. The smoothing operation is performed by forming a deflectable flange including a bend region separated from the potentially sharp peripheral edge by a spacer, deflecting a portion of the deflectable flange, and softening at least one bent portion of the deflectable flange to yield a smooth periphery upon cooling. A liner sheet may be attached to the feedstock sheet prior to, during, or after forming and can be peelable therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Converter Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Millard F Wallace
  • Patent number: 9522245
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laryngeal mask airway device (1) for insertion into a patient to provide an airway passage to the patient's glottic opening, the device (1) comprising an airway tube (2) a mask (3) attached to the airway tube (2), the mask (3) comprising a body (4) having a distal end (5) and a proximal end (6), a peripheral inflatable cuff (7), and defining an outlet (8) for gas, the mask (3) being attached to the airway tube (2) for gaseous communication between the tube (2) and the outlet (8), the device (1) further comprising an oesophageal drain (10), the drain (10) comprising a conduit extending from an inlet (12) at the distal end (5) to an outlet (13) disposed to the outside of the patient when the device (1) is in place, the conduit including a mask section (11) and an airway tube section (41), wherein the conduit mask section (11) is formed integrally in the material of the body (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: THE LARYNGEAL MASK COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Archibald I. J. Brain
  • Patent number: 8992111
    Abstract: A set of connectors connects buckets, such as five gallon, to each other, to the ground, to dimensional lumber and/or to pipe for the purpose of producing objects such as benches, stepstools, tables, sawhorses, shelters, platforms, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Primordial Soup, LLC
    Inventors: Tim Bachman, Matthew Vail Leyden, Christian Richard Trifilio, Jeff Waffensmith, Rod St. Michel
  • Publication number: 20150079239
    Abstract: The flanged container for a dairy product or similar food composition is provided with a hollow body and a generally planar annular flange connected to the top of the body, the flange having outer straight side edges and an inner edge defining a circular upper opening of the container. The body has a planar bottom and a lower portion tapering from a generally cylindrical upper portion toward the bottom in a curved manner. The lower portion has a height h1 in some embodiments not less than 14 mm and the ratio h1/H is less than 2:5 where H is the height of the container. The side wall of the body has a thickness profile such that the average thickness of the lower portion is more than the average thickness of the upper portion. Several identical containers can be grouped in a pack with breakable junctions at the outer straight side edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Vincent Ferry
  • Patent number: 8967424
    Abstract: A sealing structure of a fuel tank includes: a hollow circular cylinder part, having an inner circumferential part, formed near opening of the fuel tank to extend outward; a cap body having a hollow cylindrical part inserted into the inner circumferential part to face the inner circumferential part; and a seal member disposed between the inner circumferential part and the hollow cylindrical part. A protruding part is provided on an outer circumferential side of the hollow circular cylinder part of the fuel tank. A locking part formed on an outer circumferential part of the cap body and the protruding parts are fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Isayama, Hiroshi Kitamura, Kotaro Tanaka, Yu Sato, Yusuke Miura
  • Patent number: 8895092
    Abstract: A package including a tray (10) provided with a base (11), a plurality of sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15) extending upwardly and slightly outwardly from said base (11), a primary flange (20) integrally joined to the upper edges of the sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15) and extending outwardly all around the upper periphery of the sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15), a rim (21), i.e., a downward flap extending downwardly and tapering slightly outwardly from the outer periphery of the primary flange (20), and a secondary flange (22), i.e., an overhanging portion extending outwardly from the lower edge of the rim (21), said tray being characterized in that a plurality of strengthening ribs (23) extend substantially vertically along the rim (21) and outwardly with respect to the tray body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Morris John Field, Stefano Capitani, Christoforos Chrysanthidis
  • Patent number: 8857637
    Abstract: A plastic container is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, a tamper-evident formation, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In an embodiment, the dispensing opening has an inner diameter that is at least 22 mm, and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange is 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Darr, Edward V. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8794464
    Abstract: An assemblable and disassemblable container is disclosed wherein a short wall member includes upper corner reinforcing members each formed at a corresponding corner formed by an upper horizontal flange and an endwise vertical side plate portion of the short wall member, and the upper corner reinforcing member includes an inclined coupling rib coupling the vicinity of the end of the upper horizontal flange to the vicinity of the upper end of the endwise vertical side plate portion, and wherein the lower end of the inclined coupling rib is positioned close to an endwise vertical side plate portion side of a lower horizontal rib of a horizontal portion included in a fitting block member. This configuration allows the short wall members and thus the container formed into a box shape to be increased in strength and rigidity, and can be prevented from undergoing torsional deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sanko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisatoshi Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20140158686
    Abstract: An all-plastic container comprising the combination of injection molded pail and lid. The lid initially locks onto the container at upper and lower undercuts and seals thereto by virtue of an inverted U-shaped peripheral section. A tear groove is formed in the lid skirt between the upper and lower locks to facilitate removal of the lower lock. The upper lock is segmented so as to make removal of the lid easier once the lower lock is removed. Indicia on the lid shows where the gaps in the lock segments are located. The lower lock may also be segmented to provide drainage for overfill which comes out of the pail when the lid is first applied. The lid and pail are dimensioned to provide a wedge seal between an unflanged pail rim and the top lock and to maintain a strong connection and seal even after the lower lock is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: LETICA CORPORATION
    Inventor: John R. SELINA
  • Publication number: 20140069940
    Abstract: A reinforced oil pan assembly includes a reinforcement component and an overmold component that are combined via an injection molding process utilizing a standard oil pan mold. The reinforcement component adds structural stiffness to the oil pan assembly in order to alleviate NVH characteristics, such as powertrain bending. The reinforcement component is placed within the oil pan mold, and is embedded within the overmold component after the injection molding process. The reinforcement component has at least one rear wall and at least two side walls, each of which may include apertures and/or ribs to enhance the bond between the reinforcement component and the overmold component. The reinforcement component may be made of a layered-sheet composite overmolded with a base polymer, a metallic material, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Leonard Barry Griffiths, David R. Staley
  • Publication number: 20130341388
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a package (30) comprising a cardboard blank (31), the cardboard blank (31) being shaped as a container with a bottom (31a) and one or more cardboard sidewalls (31b) extending upwardly from the bottom (31a), the package (30) further comprising a moulded rim (32) being attached to said one or more cardboard sidewalls (31b), along an interface (I) formed of an upper portion of said one or more cardboard sidewalls (31b) and a lower portion of said moulded rim (32), and extending along at least a part of an upper edge of said one or more cardboard sidewalls (31b), characterised in that the rim (32) is extending essentially upright upwardly from said one or more cardboard sidewalls (31b) thereby providing the package (30) with a moulded upper sidewall portion. The disclosure also concerns a method and a moulding tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Päivi Määttä, Olavi Pirttiniemi, Johanna Lindén
  • Patent number: 8544663
    Abstract: A new profile of the internal neck that, instead of being simply cylindrical, presents an internal ring in proximity to, and at the height of, the support ledge plain and to which corresponds a specific profile in the area under the support ledge. These profiles allows a ring to be created of different shapes and geometries (SWERVE SHAPE) using the internal material between the support ledge and the area under the support ledge, thereby re-enforcing the neck and avoiding oval formation (creating problems with sealing and loss of content) as well as deformation of the support ledge during the blowing process, without impacting weight reduction. This invention allows for ultra-light containers with good physical-mechanical behavior. A further reduction of the width(s) using present technologies is not permissible due to insufficient radial rigidity. This present invention permits the light-weighting of various types of containers of different prime materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: P.E.T. Engineering, S.r.l.
    Inventors: Moreno Barel, Elena Baldo, Dino Enrico Zanette
  • Patent number: 8528770
    Abstract: A container, a lid, a combination of the two, and a method of using the same is disclosed. The container has a base and a sidewall extending upward from the base forming a continuous sidewall around the base. The upper portion of the sidewall has a rim and a skirt around the perimeter. The skirt has a removable tear tab to allow access to a lid for removing the lid from the container. The lid also has vents for air to exit the container, thereby preventing rising of the lid in low pressure areas. The vents further prevent entry of air into the container when the sealed container is taken to areas of higher pressure. A method of filling the container leaving an air gap between the product and the lid and utilizing the aforementioned vents is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Wells Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Albrecht, Kaye D. Van Genderen
  • Patent number: 8464894
    Abstract: A structure is injection molded onto a group of panels to form a container. The container has a tray and an injection-molded feature. The tray has a plurality of side panels that extend at least partially around, and at least partially define, a cavity of the container. The tray has a plurality of multi-part flanges with at least one of the multi-part flanges including a lower flange portion and an upper flange portion. The injection-molded feature has band that is injected molded onto the lower flange portion and the upper flange portion. An injection-molded strip extends along and at least partially defines the corner of the container. The strip extends downward from the inner portion of the band in the elongate corner of the container. A tool is also disclosed for forming the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. O'Hagan, Phil Netzer, Bruce Barnard, Peter W. Blaas, Kevin J. Hjort
  • Patent number: 8444003
    Abstract: An assembled container has a body and an upper collar. The body has an open top, an annular lip, an annular wall and multiple combining blocks. The annular wall is formed on and protrudes from the annular lip and has at least one engaging recess. The combining blocks are formed on and protrude from the annular lip and each have a combining hole and at least one engaging hole. The upper collar is connected to the open top of the body and has an annular recess, at least one engaging block and multiple combining inserts. The at least one engaging block is formed in the annular recess and respectively engages the at least one engaging recess. The combining inserts are formed in the annular recess and are respectively inserted into and combined with the combining holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Chen
  • Patent number: 8360265
    Abstract: A container having a dual use as a receptacle for debris that can accommodate a sawhorse application. Square or U-shaped recesses are located in the rim of the container for securing a sawhorse support, such as a board. Sawhorse supports are friction fit, or securely mounted to the container by pin, screw, nail, or bolt attachment. A lid having a slotted structure for receiving a sawhorse support may be used to transform a common household container into a sawhorse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey Andrews
  • Publication number: 20120251679
    Abstract: The flanged container for a dairy product or similar food composition is provided with a hollow body and a generally planar annular flange connected to the top of the body, the flange having outer straight side edges and an inner edge defining a circular upper opening of the container. The body has a planar bottom and a lower portion tapering from a generally cylindrical upper portion toward the bottom in a curved manner. The lower portion has a height h1 in some embodiments not less than 14 mm and the ratio h1/H is less than 2:5 where H is the height of the container. The side wall of the body has a thickness profile such that the average thickness of the lower portion is more than the average thickness of the upper portion. Several identical containers can be grouped in a pack with breakable junctions at the outer straight side edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Compagnie Gervais Danone
    Inventor: Vincent Ferry
  • Patent number: 8083093
    Abstract: A container has a base with a bottom wall rib structure which deforms downwardly when an unresisted load is applied. The rib structure stiffens the base, and also can elevate the food product from liquid within the container. The bottom wall has a central platform which extends upwardly from a lower encircling segment. The lower encircling segment marks the lowermost portion of the base as molded, and extends inwardly from the lower margin of the sidewall. Two generally parallel longitudinal ribs extend across the platform and project upwardly from the platform. The longitudinal ribs extend from the lower encircling segment at the front of the base to the rear of the base. Short bridging ribs are evenly spaced parallel to one another and extend laterally between and connect the two longitudinal ribs. A plurality of cross ribs extend outwardly from each longitudinal rib to the encircling segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Placon Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. McCumber
  • Patent number: 8025176
    Abstract: A blow molded, hollow plastic container including two opposed, relatively longer sidewall portions which alternate with two opposed, relatively shorter sidewall portions. A first of the relatively shorter sidewall portions includes a grip area, and the opposed second relatively shorter sidewall portion includes a pour area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Steven Little, James J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7922028
    Abstract: A pail includes a base and at least one wall extending upwardly from a periphery of the base to an opening of the pail. A lip protruding outwardly from an upper edge of the at least one wall includes a plurality of flanges. A lid located adjacent the plurality of flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Kyle L. Baltz
  • Patent number: 7896185
    Abstract: A molded plastic container, such as a five gallon pail, that includes a lid and main body that are selectively attachable to each other without a resilient gasket. The main body of the plastic container includes a flexible sealing finger formed along the top rim of the main body. The flexible sealing finger is received within a sealing chamber formed as part of the rim. The sealing chamber is defined by a gland seal such that when the lid is attached to the main body, both the flexible finger and the gland seal can deflect to create multiple sealing points between the flexible sealing finger and the sealing chamber. A latch ring is formed on the outer surface of the main body and engages a locking tab formed on the lid to hold the flexible finger in the sealing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: KW Plastics
    Inventors: Newton K. Campbell, Kenneth J. Reed, Michael N. Miller, David G. Packard
  • Patent number: 7823746
    Abstract: A container for carry out heated food items, such as rotisserie chicken, has a base which is connected to a lid by a mating peripheral closure which defines a liquid tight seal. The closure has an encircling inclined wall on the base, which helps to direct the lid into engagement with the base, and which also defines a cavity within the closure which can retain liquid. The base may be provided with two fold up straps which are retained by structure in the lid to lie generally flat to serve as a convenient carrying handle above the lid. The base has rib structure allowing it to distend downwardly when loaded with food to space the heated food from the customer's hand while engaged with the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Placon Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. McCumber
  • Publication number: 20090314780
    Abstract: An all plastic container comprising the combination of injection molded pail and lid. The lid initially locks onto the container at upper and lower undercuts and seals thereto by virtue of an inverted U-shaped peripheral section. A tear line is formed in the lid skirt to facilitate removal of the lower lock. The upper lock is segmented so as to make removal of the lid easier once the lower lock is removed. Indicia on the lid shows where the gaps in the lock segments are located. The lower lock may also be segmented to provide drainage for overfill which comes out of the pail when the lid is first applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: LETICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Robert SELINA, Arthur HABITZ
  • Patent number: 7357271
    Abstract: An insulated container includes a bottom and four walls connected to the bottom; a top which fits on the four walls; a portion of the top is pivotally mounted so as to be opened to provide access to the insulated container through a first opening; a portion of one of the four walls is pivotally mounted so as to be opened to provide access to the insulated container through a second opening; wherein the first and second openings are contiguous to provide a combined access area to the container that extends across both the top and the one of the four walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Tegrant Diversified Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Hase, David A. Arnold, Allen Polowinczak
  • Patent number: 7144506
    Abstract: A septic tank formed of a blow molded body having an interior and an exterior. The septic tank body is formed from one or more layers of plastic material that are chosen for their chemical, mechanical or other properties. The septic tank body includes a plurality of integral ribs to provide circumferential structurally rigidity and also includes compression molded flange portions to provide axial structural rigidity. Additionally, septic tank covers and riser systems are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Fralo Plastech Mfg., LLC
    Inventor: Francis T. Lombardi, II
  • Patent number: 7090905
    Abstract: Flat or semi-flat element (1) including a partly or completely circumambient frame (2), which element (1) is manufactured through molding of a polymeric material. The element (1) includes a carrying structure, constituted by the frame (2), and an intermediate wall section (3). The wall section (3) is connected to the frame (2) via a resilient section (4), the resilient section (4) being a part of the wall section (3). The differences in the temperature related shrinkage between the frame (2) and the wall section (3) is absorbed by the resilient section (4), whereby warping of the element (1) is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Arca Systems International AB
    Inventor: Manfred Brauner
  • Patent number: 7040501
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cylindrical, blow-molded lidded barrel (wide-mouthed drum) with a barrel lid and tension-ring closure. Previously known lidded barrels have comparatively little ability to withstand falls and are therefore not well-suited for handling liquids. Owing to the special configuration of the barrel lid and the barrel mouth edges as well as by a special matching of the individual components to one another, the lidded barrel according to the invention can be manipulated in the filled state with the same barrel-gripping tool (parrot's beak), ans is universally employed and in industrial use for modern plastic L-ring bung barrels or normal steel bung barrels. By improving the strength of the lidded barrel when it is dropped, the barrel is also made especially well-suited for handling liquids since it remains liquidtight even when dumped or dropped from great heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Mauser-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dietmar Przytulla
  • Patent number: 7011215
    Abstract: A molded display tray and lid includes a generally planar base from which a pair of end walls and a pair of side walls extend generally perpendicularly. A downwardly extending lip extends about the periphery of the upper edge of the side walls and end walls. The side walls each include an upper edge that curves downwardly towards its center, such that the center of each side wall is the lowest point of the side wall. The base includes a plurality of integrally molded, downwardly extending feet. In use, the display tray and lid is first used as a lid on a box of produce, such as bananas. At its destination, the box and lid are inverted, and the box removed, such that the contents are left remaining on the display tray and lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Cynthia R. Meissen, Kyle L. Baltz
  • Patent number: 6960316
    Abstract: An injection-molded plastic container or closure has a sidewall extending from a base wall to a rim wall. An upper portion of a segment of the rim wall extends with both outward and inward directional components. A lower portion of the given segment extends with both downward and inward directional components; and at a given level of the lower portion, the given segment has an inner surface and an outer surface that each extend with downward and inward directional components. At the given level the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion are respectively formed by different mold components of one of the mold parts. Upon removal of the container or closure from the mold parts, the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion at the given level of the given segment are contemporaneously removed from one of the separated mold parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sorensen Research and Development Trust
    Inventors: Paul Philip Brown, Jens Ole Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6899028
    Abstract: A container is provided which comprises a cylindrical main body having an end wall at an end thereof; an outlet projecting from an outer surface of the end wall for allowing a content to be supplied; and a protecting member disposed on the outer surface of the end wall so that it surrounds the outlet and defines a groove portion between the outlet and the protecting member. The protecting member is preferably a continuous or discontinuous annular projection. A conduit of a pump can be coupled to the groove portion by engaging an inner circumferential surface of the protecting member with an outer circumferential surface of the conduit, or by engaging an outer circumferential surface of the outlet with an inner circumferential surface of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Masakatsu Arai, Takahiro Wakayama
  • Patent number: 6866905
    Abstract: An injection blow-molded disposable tumbler is formed from a polymeric material and includes a fortified upper rim having a thickness greater than the adjacent sidewall. The tumbler may be formed of a variety of resinous materials and exhibits improved toughness and crush resistance as well as aesthetic qualities particulary desired by consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Erland R. Sandstrom, Brigitte K. Weigert, Donald C. McCarthy, Michael G. Thomas, Michael A. Freek
  • Patent number: 6845877
    Abstract: A plastic container with a snap lid and with a snap element is provided on the upper edge region of the container for the lid to snap onto, where the lid has a circumferential sealing web projecting downwards that contacts the inside of the container, where at least one projection that extends in an essentially radial and essentially vertical direction is provided on the lid radially inside the sealing web. To provide a plastic container with snap lid, which fulfils the special demands imposed on leak-proofness, while simultaneously providing high load-bearing capacity, the vertical extension of the area of the projection adjacent to the sealing web is small relative to the total vertical extension of the projection. The inward-facing projection can be located on an inside circumferential edge integrally molded on the sealing web. In addition to the sealing web, another circumferential seal is provided in the region of the top edge of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Jokey Plastik Gummersbach GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Diesterbeck
  • Patent number: 6823624
    Abstract: A plastic article includes a first plastic portion having a series of protrusions extending therefrom and adjacent to each other. A second plastic portion is molded between and over the protrusions of the first plastic portion, thereby forming a protuberance on the plastic article in a desired profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: S.I.T., Inc.
    Inventor: Carlo Proserpio
  • Publication number: 20040195251
    Abstract: A combination molded plastic bucket and lid includes a bucket having a circumferential groove along the bottom edge of the bucket compatible with a circumferential rim of the lid and designed to fit within the groove. In this manner multiple buckets may be stacked one upon the other without slipping or sliding with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Plas-Tool Company
    Inventor: John W. von Holdt
  • Publication number: 20040195252
    Abstract: A plastic bucket includes at least one undercut adjacent an upper end of the bucket defined by a bucket wall which extends upwardly and inwardly along a diagonal path. An annular, vertical section may be provided at the upper end of the diagonal path. Above the vertical section, the bucket wall extends radially outwardly to create an annular, horizontal flange. In addition, an uppermost annular rim may extend upwardly from the horizontal flange and be located approximately midway between inner and outer radii of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: John W. von Holdt, John W. von Holdt
  • Patent number: 6739475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to containers and their use in an automatic vending machine that vends articles of frozen confectionery. The vending machine includes an outer body, an outer door, and an environment-controlled chamber. The containers are of cylindrical, quasi-cylindrical or polyhedral shape to contain the frozen confectionery. The machine has an environment-controlled chamber maintained at about −18° C. and has insulating panels and an inner door, the machine being maintained by a refrigeration system and a defrost system. Within the chamber are vertical compartments for the storage of stacked containers, a dispensing device, and a discharge hopper leading to an outlet tray. In the outer door there are product selection and cash box mechanisms that monitors not only the amount or number of articles of frozen confectionery but also the amount of money inserted and dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jesus San Martin, Miguel Ruano Del Campo, Eduardo Domenech Sendra, Jorge Bueno Ceresuela
  • Publication number: 20040084459
    Abstract: An injection-molded plastic container or closure has a sidewall extending from a base wall to a rim wall. An upper portion of a segment of the rim wall extends with both outward and inward directional components. A lower portion of the given segment extends with both downward and inward directional components; and at a given level of the lower portion, the given segment has an inner surface and an outer surface that each extend with downward and inward directional components. At the given level the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion are respectively formed by different mold components of one of the mold parts. Upon removal of the container or closure from the mold parts, the inner surface and the outer surface of the lower portion at the given level of the given segment are contemporaneously removed from one of the separated mold parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Philip Brown, Jens Ole Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6708839
    Abstract: A plastic container with a snap lid and with a snap element provided on the upper edge area of the container for the lid to snap onto, the lid having an area in tight contact with the container's upper edge area. The container edge on the side of the snap element facing the top edge of the container is provided with at least one integrally molded reinforcing rib projecting radially and extending over at least a segment of the circumference of the container, preferably running circumferentially around the container. The reinforcing rib may be provided on a downward-facing, circumferential collar region, which is joined in the region of the top edge of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Jokey Plastik Gummersbach GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Diesterbeck
  • Patent number: 6705495
    Abstract: A container and closure package in that includes a container having a body, a finish wall extending from the body with at least one external thread, a circular throat at an axial edge of the finish wall remote from the body and having a lesser inner diameter than the finish wall, and a pour spout extending axially from the throat at greater inner diameter than the throat. The container body, finish wall, throat and pour spout are of integrally blow molded construction as formed, with the inside diameter of the throat being optionally reamed as required for sealing engagement with the closure. The closure has a base wall, a peripheral outer skirt extending from the base wall with an internal thread for receipt over the external thread on the container finish wall, and an internal skirt extending from the base wall and spaced radially inwardly from the outer skirt for sliding plug-sealing receipt within the throat, with the pour spout being disposed between the inner and outer skirts of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Brecheisen, John W. Safian
  • Patent number: 6698613
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an opening structure of a fuel tank having a fuel tank wall made of plastic layers including at least an outer layer, an inner layer and an intermediate layer, with an opening portion formed to be integral with the fuel tank wall. The opening structure includes a cylindrical portion extended from the fuel tank wall outward thereof to form the opening portion, an overlapping portion extended from an end of the cylindrical portion to enlarge the diameter of the opening portion and bent at a bent portion to form an outer surface parallel with an opening end surface of the opening portion, and a compressed portion with at least a portion of the overlapping portion compressed in a direction perpendicular to the opening end surface of the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: FTS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teijiro Goto, Tatsutoshi Takashima, Yojiro Iriyama, Koji Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6688487
    Abstract: A multi-sealing, multi-locking and reopenable cup and lid assembly includes a cup that has an open circular mouth defining an interior locking groove and an undercut frustoconical sealing surface, and a resilient circular lid having a peripheral lip and a frustoconical sealing surface complementary to cup sealing surface. Insertion of the lid into the cup creates a snap-in lock of the lip in the locking groove and a liquid-tight seal between the sealing surfaces. Interrupted portions in the interface between the lid lip and the locking groove in the cup may be aligned by manual rotation of the locked lid for unlocking and easy removal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Shawn A. Oakes, Freida St. Germain
  • Patent number: 6669049
    Abstract: A blow-molded plastic container and reinforced lid are simultaneously produced in a blow mold. A lid is reinforced by having a portion of the lid formed by blow molding techniques and another portion of the lid formed by compression molding techniques. The container and lid combination, a method for making the combination and apparatus for making the combination are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Crider
  • Publication number: 20030168460
    Abstract: A plastic bucket includes at least one undercut adjacent an upper end of the bucket defined by a bucket wall which extends upwardly and inwardly along a diagonal path. An annular, vertical section may be provided at the upper end of the diagonal path. Above the vertical section, the bucket wall extends radially outwardly to create an annular, horizontal flange. In addition, an uppermost annular rim may extend upwardly from the horizontal flange and be located approximately midway between inner and outer radii of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Plas-Tool Company
    Inventors: John W. von Holdt, John W. von Holdt
  • Patent number: 6547093
    Abstract: Two portions (10, 12) are injection molded and ultrasonically welded together to form a plastic container (C) defining a hollow interior (16) for containing food products and having an open top sealed by a thin, flexible, foil seal member (14). The container (C) has an inwardly projecting lip (38) which is arched shaped including an outer annular portion (86) extending inward and upward from the sidewall (24) of the container (C) away from the hollow interior (16) of the container (C) and including an inner annular portion (92) radially inward of the outer annular portion (86) and having an outer face (92a) extending downward towards the hollow interior (16) of the container (C). The upper surface of the lip (38) is continuous, smooth and free of steps and ridges to present a continuous seal area for the foil seal member (14) independent of the deflection of the lip (38) into the hollow interior (16) of the container (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Messer, William E. Archibald, Samir Asmail Naghaway
  • Publication number: 20020153380
    Abstract: An tank, and method for manufacturing the tank, is provided. The tank includes a container formed with at least a first wall and a second wall. Also included are one or more hollow tubes. Ports are formed in the first wall and second wall of the tank. The hollow tubes are extended between the ports. In operation, the hollow tubes resist forces placed on the tank, whether filled or left empty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Rochester Rotational Molding, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Allen Wade
  • Publication number: 20020063134
    Abstract: A plastic bucket includes at least one undercut adjacent an upper end of the bucket defined by a bucket wall which extends upwardly and inwardly along a diagonal path. An annular, vertical section may be provided at the upper end of the diagonal path. Above the vertical section, the bucket wall extends radially outwardly to create an annular, horizontal flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: John W. von Holdt, John W. von Holdt
  • Publication number: 20020023928
    Abstract: This invention is a method for the manufacture of a container made of moldable material having at least one side wall, a base and a filling opening, characterized by the fact that said container is manufactured by molding, and by the fact that at least one of its side walls comprises, near said filling opening, first means forming a hinge and second means forming a hinge located at some distance from said first means forming a hinge and making it possible to pivot a part of said side wall, thereby creating a triple wall, as well as to the containers that can be obtained by using said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: MARIUS MILLET
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Defferrard, Herve Duquet, Christine Millet
  • Publication number: 20020017527
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an opening structure of a fuel tank having a fuel tank wall made of a plurality of plastic layers with an opening portion formed to be integral with the fuel tank wall. The opening structure includes a cylindrical portion extended from the opening portion outward of the fuel tank wall, an overlapping portion extended from an end of the cylindrical portion to enlarge the diameter of the opening portion and bent at a bent portion to form an outer surface parallel with an opening end surface of the opening portion, and a compressed portion with at least a portion of the overlapping portion compressed in a direction perpendicular to the opening end surface of the opening portion. The opening structure may further include an annular member which is disposed around the opening portion to be in contact with the overlapping portion and the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Teijiro Goto, Takuya Ishikawa, Tatsutoshi Takashima
  • Patent number: 6315150
    Abstract: A bowl-shaped container has a rim of a bottom and the rim is hollow. The container is made of a thermoplastic resin sheet, and wherein the hollow rim is formed by folding the thermoplastic resin sheet including a side wall surface and a bottom wall surface continuous with each other into the shape of a bag and by welding the sheet at the wall surface sides. The body of the container may have a plurality of ribs protruding outward and no slit-like recess in its inner circumferential face. The ribs are formed by thrusting the thermoplastic resin sheet into a plurality of grooves formed in a forming female die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Asano Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takai, Kenichi Mizoguchi, Akio Yoshikoshi, Takashi Kikkawa