Flexible Hinge Patents (Class 220/837)
  • Patent number: 11952177
    Abstract: A closure includes: a body having a skirt wall in which an internal thread is formed; and a cylindrical tamper evident bottom portion which is connected to the skirt wall via a plurality of breakable bridge portions, and in which an engaging pieces to be engaged with an engaging jaw portion is disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the tamper evident bottom portion. A protruding piece protruding downward is disposed on the skirt wall of the body. An unbroken connecting piece is disposed to connect the skirt wall of the body and the tamper evident bottom portion and to allow the body to be moved upward with respect to the tamper evident bottom portion. An extending portion is formed at an engaging piece serving as the engaging pieces at least in an angle region where the protruding piece is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Nippon Closures Co., Ltd., AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinji Omori, Takashi Sugiyama, Timothy Michael Mazurkiewicz, Pranav Bhatt, Christopher Branca
  • Patent number: 11939153
    Abstract: A refuse container lid opening device includes a lid hingedly attached to a container body for covering the container body's top opening. The lid is free of grabbable handles or protuberances but an elongated tongue descending from its underside is received in a slot in the top rim of the container body and is accessible outward of the container body. Upward movement of the tongue when the lid is closed raises the lid above the top rim of the container body to form a manually accessible gap in which a hand can be inserted to fully open the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Daniel L. Young
  • Patent number: 11884220
    Abstract: Provided is a wire harness apparatus 80 that uses a protector 10 for a wire harness that includes a body portion 16 into which a wire harness W is to be inserted; a cover body 18 that covers an opening portion 56 of the body portion 16; a joining portion 20 with flexibility that is formed thinner than the body portion 16 and the cover body 18 and rotatably joins the cover body 18 to a first side wall 22a of the body portion 16; a body contact portion 40 provided on the first side wall 22a of the body portion 16; and a cover body contact portion 58 provided on the cover body 18 that transfers a load applied to the cover body 18 to the body portion 16 by the cover body contact portion 58 coming into contact with the body contact portion 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuma Isoda, Hiroki Uno, Hiroshi Inoue
  • Lid
    Patent number: 11814217
    Abstract: A lid for outfitting a container is provided. The lid includes a cover shell defining a first cavity, a first lid rim defining an opening, and a hinge member constructed to pivotally interconnect the first lid rim with the cover shell. The cover shell releasably lockable to the first lid rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: Michael D. Dwork
  • Patent number: 11814224
    Abstract: A closure that remains coupled to a container after the upper portion of the closure has been rotatably removed from the container. The closure may include an attachment channel, which includes alternating segments of linear openings and frangible connections. The attachment channel may also include two hinge bridges that remain unbroken when one or more of the frangible connections are broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventor: Sungsuk Steve Kim
  • Patent number: 11787605
    Abstract: A recloseable lid for closing an open top of a cup terminating in an annular upper edge includes a cup mount defining an annular channel configured to receive the annular upper edge of the cup and a cap having an annular side wall extending upwardly from the cup mount and terminating in a top having an annular floor spaced above the cup mount. A drink opening is disposed in the top and a plug assembly having a drink opening plug is provided. The drink opening plug can be selectively moveable between a closed position in which the drink opening plug is received within the drink opening for closing the drink opening and an open position in which the drink opening plug is not disposed within the drink opening. The lid can also include a plug retainer disposed in the cap and configured to retain the drink opening plug in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Layos, Chengtao Li, Robert Brubaker, Jacob Purcell, Dean Garza
  • Patent number: 11780648
    Abstract: Provided is a tubular container capable of improving extractability of contents inside the container. The tubular container includes: a trunk portion having a tubular shape one end of which is closed, the trunk portion being formed by using a film member containing a resin material, and being capable of storing contents therein; and a spout portion attached to the other end of the trunk portion, and capable of closing the other end of the trunk portion. On a peripheral portion of the spout portion, the other end of the trunk portion is attached to a surface, of the spout portion, on a side opposite to the one end of the trunk portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiki Miyoshi, Minoru Kawasaki, Takeshi Saito
  • Patent number: 11518592
    Abstract: Described is a closing cap (1) for a container (2), which comprises a lateral wall (3) extending about an axis (Z) and a transversal wall (4) positioned at an end of the lateral wall (3), a separation line (5) being provided on the lateral wall (3) to form a retaining ring (301), which is configured to remain anchored to a neck (201) of the container (2) and extends up to a free edge (304), and a closing element (302) removably engageable with the neck (201), so as to open or close the container (2). The separation line (5) extends about the axis (Z) and is circumferentially interrupted to form in the lateral wall (3) a joining zone (305), which extends for a first angle (a), in which the retaining ring (301) and the closing element (302) are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA
    Inventors: Vittorio Bassi, Alessandro Falzoni
  • Patent number: 11427394
    Abstract: A lid for a beverage cup includes: (a) a radial collar configured to engage with a rim of a drinking cup mouth, having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface; (b) an outer reservoir wall extending axially upward from the outer surface of the radial collar and enclosing a reservoir chamber above the radial collar, and including an upper rim; (c) a reservoir floor extending radially inward from an upper end of the inner surface of the radial collar and substantially closing the reservoir chamber from below the reservoir floor, the floor including a fluid path opening providing at least part of a fluid path extending upward through the reservoir chamber, the fluid path opening being positioned along a first diametrical line extending through the reservoir chamber; (d) an inner wall separating the fluid path from the reservoir chamber substantially in the shape of an upside-down funnel extending upward from the floor, having a minor diameter extending above a vertical level of the upper rim of the ou
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Crazy Minds, LLC
    Inventor: Bonnie Sussman Strominger
  • Patent number: 10921016
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control box configured to connect to heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. The control box includes an outer housing and a divider wall located within the outer housing that separates a high voltage section of the control box and a low voltage section of the control box. The control box also includes a controller disposed within the low voltage section and first wiring extending from the controller to the HVAC equipment via a first passage formed in the outer housing. Additionally, the control box includes second wiring extending between the low voltage section and the high voltage section via a second passage formed in the divider wall. Furthermore, the control box includes a cover configured to engage the outer housing to cover the low voltage section while exposing the high voltage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Madhuka M. Jayarathne, Robert E. Cabrera, Daniel W. Davis, II
  • Patent number: 9038851
    Abstract: A cover for a pie pan or similar type of pan or plate has a ring and a lid pivotally attached to the ring by a flex joint. A pan is placed into the ring with a lip of the pan resting on top of the ring. The cover is folded over and pressed down onto the ring. Interlocking elements on tabs on the ring and lid engage each other and hold the lid down onto the ring, with the lip of the pan between them. The lid may include inwardly projecting teeth spaced apart on an inside surface of the lid, with the teeth adapted to hold the lip of a pan between the ring and the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CHAMNESS BIODEGRADABLES, LLL
    Inventors: Brad Anthony Picard, Elie Helou, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9010555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cap (1) that comprises a circular skirt (12), said cap including an irremovable portion (12-2) fixedly attached about the neck of a vessel (2) and a removable portion (12-1) removably attached to the neck, the irremovable and removable portions being separated by a first weakening line (20). In order to maintain the removable portion of the skirt attached to the irremovable portion of the skirt after the first opening, the skirt is provided with a second peripheral weakening line (34). It is also provided that the first weakening line extends less than 360°, while the two ends (34A, 34B) of the second weakening line are located along the periphery of the skirt respectively between a first (28A) of the two ends of a linking portion of the skirt and the hasp (26-1) closest to said first end, and between the second end (28B) of the linking portion and the hasp (26-6) closest to said second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Luzzato, Jerome Mezerette
  • Publication number: 20150090743
    Abstract: A closure (20, 20A) is provided for a container that has an opening to the container interior wherein contents may be stored. The closure (20, 20A) includes the following: (A) a closure body (30, 30A) defining (i) at least one pour aperture (50) that can communicate with the container opening and that can accommodate pouring out of the contents through the pour aperture (50), and (ii) at least one vent aperture (60) that can. communicate with the container opening and that can accommodate the in-venting of ambient atmosphere through the vent aperture into the container; and (B) a lid (32, 32A) for closing the closure (20, 20A). The pour aperture (50) has a curved configuration extending laterally on each side of a central axis line (A) that bisects the closure body (30), and the vent aperture (60) is further defined by a downwardly extending vent tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Wisniewski, Christopher A. Danks
  • Publication number: 20150001234
    Abstract: A re-closable packaging assembly includes a container formed at least partially by a first film, and the container has a plurality of walls that cooperate to define an interior volume. The container has an opening through at least one of the plurality of walls. A closure assembly is secured to the container adjacent the opening and comprises a second film and a portion of the first film. The closure assembly includes a lid member pivotable about a hinge portion between a first position in which the lid member releasably engages the container surrounding the opening and a second position in which the lid member is pivoted away from the opening. A first engagement feature may be disposed on the container and a second engagement feature may be disposed on the lid member to removably secure the lid member to the container when the lid member is in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: CLEAR LAM PACKAGING, INC.
    Inventors: James J. Sanfilippo, John E. Sanfilippo, Jeanne M. Skaggs, Francisco Javier Soria, Milorad Radenovic, Bohdan Wyslotsky, Paul Georgelos, Pat Montefusco, Roy Speer, Roman Forowycz
  • Patent number: 8881959
    Abstract: A dispensing closure is provided for an opening of a container wherein the closure has a dispensing condition of operation and a charging condition of operation, a neck structure (7) for fixing the closure to a container or for being fixed to a container, an outlet port (3) communicating with the opening, an actuator (9) movably mounted on the neck structure, and a deck structure (13) extending from the neck structure transversely over the opening and forming a discharge channel (61) extending substantially linearly from the outlet port to the opening and defining a longitudinal discharge direction and the longitudinal discharge direction of the discharge channel is inclined to a horizontal (H) in an acute inclination angle (alpha) and the dispensing condition of operation the deck structure is immovably fixed to the neck structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aptar Freyung GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Lenz
  • Patent number: 8863991
    Abstract: A bottle formed of a food-grade plastic material, such as clear polyethylene terephthalate, may include a frustoconical neck portion, a shoulder region, a base region, and a sidewall portion have opposed grip-enhancing surfaces, and elastically deformable pressure panels. A cap for the container may include a valve to control product leakage, and may be sized to allow inversion of the bottle. A generally trapezoidal tab of the cap may be moveable between a closed position covering a cap orifice and an open position outside the plane of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: H.J. Heinz Company
    Inventors: Wayne C. Cleary, Michael D. McMahon
  • Patent number: 8844745
    Abstract: A lid structure for use with a container for storing personal care products is disclosed. The lid structure includes a lid-activation button that when pressed allows the lid top to rotate about the lid base giving a consumer access to the contents of the container. Additionally, the lid-activation button functions so that the lid top is released independent of where the lid-activation button is pressed by the consumer. To create better and more consistent opening of the lid top portion, an inner longitudinal edge of the lid-activation button may be attached to the lid bottom via a living hinge that is formed integrally with the lid base. A strengthening rib is attached to the living hinge that keeps the main body side of the living hinge immobile and encourages the button side of the living hinge to flex when the lid-activation button is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James Peters, Ryan Leslie Fulscher, Robert Samuel Schlaupitz, Kieron H. Tse, James Wolford, Tyson Manullang
  • Patent number: 8845520
    Abstract: A wire-operated selective compliance mobile platform (100), in particular for endoscopic surgery devices, obtains a perfect and precise mobility and thus it allows to handle, in the most effective way, the supported instruments, and comprises a mobile surface (1), a connecting base (2) apt to be connected to a flexible tubular duct (4) for endoscopic uses, a plurality of supporting elements (3), apt to permit the motion of said mobile surface (1) relative to said base (2), characterized in that said supporting elements (3) have at least a selective compliance turning pair (31) and a number of joints (32, 34) so as to provide a predetermined number of degrees of freedom to said platform (100), neither determining any over-constraining, nor forcing the system to be deformed in unselected directions, each supporting element (3) being operated by moving means (51, 52) so as to move said mobile surface (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Universita' degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”
    Inventors: Nicola Plo Belfiore, Massimillano Scaccia, Francosco Ianniello, Massimillano Presta, Luca Perfetti
  • Publication number: 20140284347
    Abstract: The present invention is a closing device (1; 71; 91; 101) for a container (50; 51), comprising: a main body (2; 72; 92) suited to be connected to the container (50; 51) and comprising an opening (4) for the passage of a product flowing out of the container (50; 51); a cover (12; 82) comprising closing means (23) of the opening (4) and suited to be arranged in a closed position with respect to the main body (2; 72; 92), in which the closing means (23) intercept the opening (4), and suited to be arranged in an open position, in which the closing means (23) do not intercept the opening (4). In said closed position, at least one portion of the cover (12; 82) does not face said main body (2; 72; 92).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Giuseppe Fracasso
  • Publication number: 20140061216
    Abstract: A cover apparatus for an electronic device is provided. The cover apparatus includes a cover configured to be pivotably coupled to a body of the electronic device to open or close a portion of the body, and an elastic member, one end of which is supported by the cover, and the other end of which is supported by the body. The elastic member provides a driving force to pivot the cover in a direction for opening the portion of the body, and the cover includes a seating portion configured to fix the one end of the elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Hyoung LEE
  • Patent number: 8616407
    Abstract: A preform for blow molding a plastic container, and the resulting container, with a flip-top closure includes a container portion and a flip-top closure base portion integrally molded with the container portion. The flip-top closure base portion includes an integrally molded first hinge structure for connecting the flip-top closure base portion to a second hinge structure on a flip-top closure top to create the flip-top closure for the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: TricorBraun, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig R. Sawicki
  • Patent number: 8616406
    Abstract: A preform for blow molding a plastic container with a flip-top closure includes a container portion and a flip-top closure base portion integrally molded with the container portion. The flip-top closure base portion includes an integrally molded first hinge structure for connecting the flip-top closure base portion to a flip-top closure top to create the flip-top closure for the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: TricorBraun, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig R. Sawicki
  • Publication number: 20130334241
    Abstract: A lid can be configured to removably attach to a container. The lid can include multiple lid portions can open independently of each other. A first lid portion can open while a second lid portion remains closed and coupled to the container. Similarly, the second lid portion can open while the first lid portion remains closed and coupled to the container. A junction can joint the first and second lid portions and can enable pivoting of the lid so that the first and second lid portions can hingedly move with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Merrick Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham Abdi, Katina C. Brown, Sadollah Vahidy, Robert J. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8608001
    Abstract: A two shot dispensing closure wherein the spout and base component of the closure is molded in a first molding step and a repositionable cap is molded over at least the spout of the closure in a second molding step. The cap may be molded in the closed position over the spout to provide a fluidic seal between the cap and spout. The cap is repositionable between a closed position closing off an aperture of the spout and an open position thereby opening the aperture of the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Stoneberg, William C. Schmeisser
  • Publication number: 20130228578
    Abstract: A container closure integrally formed from a synthetic resin includes a body, which has an upper surface wall, and an outer lid connected to the body so as to be pivotable between a closed position at which the upper surface wall of the body is covered and an open position at which the upper surface wall of the body is opened, wherein a raised portion having discharge ports formed on both sides is disposed on the upper surface wall of the body, the discharge ports formed on both sides of the raised portion are opened when the outer lid is pivoted to the open position, while the discharge ports formed on both sides of the raised portion are sealed fully reliably when the outer lid is pivoted to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIPPON CLOSURES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Akaogi, Motokatsu Yamada, Ryuichi Tsukamoto, Atsushi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8469213
    Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] In a synthetic resin container closure of a type which includes a body and a tamper evident bottom portion connected to the body via a plurality of breakable bridge portions arranged with spacing in a circumferential direction, and in which the body continues to be connected via unbroken connecting pieces to the tamper evident bottom portion continuously mounted on a mouth-and-neck portion of a container even after the bridge portions are broken to remove the body from the mouth-and-neck portion of the container, an improvement is made so that the container closure can be applied, without posing problems, even when the ascent distance of the body when removed is relatively long. [Means to Solve the Problems] Each of the unbroken connecting pieces is in such a form as to include two tilting portions whose tilting directions are opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Ishii, Takashi Kimura, Seiji Fukushi
  • Publication number: 20130105481
    Abstract: A preform for blow molding a plastic container, and the resulting container, with a flip-top closure includes a container portion and a flip-top closure base portion integrally molded with the container portion. The flip-top closure base portion includes an integrally molded first hinge structure for connecting the flip-top closure base portion to a second hinge structure on a flip-top closure top to create the flip-top closure for the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: TricorBraun Inc.
    Inventor: TricorBraun Inc.
  • Patent number: 8381946
    Abstract: A plastic container having a container body and a permanently attached container lid is provided. The container lid is attached to the container body by a living hinge such that the entire plastic container is a one-piece construction. The container lid is pre-curved such that in an open state the container lid is curved. However, when the container lid mates with the container body in a closed state, at least a portion of the container lid that was previously curved becomes substantially planar such that portions of the lid remain biased into the container body. The container incorporates at least one projection that acts as a detent-catch mechanism to secure the lid to the body. The projection reduces the likelihood that the seal formed between the lid and the container when in a closed position will be inadvertently broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sussex IM, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith S. Everson
  • Publication number: 20130026188
    Abstract: Dispensing closure ( ) for an opening of a container wherein said closure comprises a dispensing condition of operation and a charging condition of operation, a neck structure (7) for fixing the closure to the container or for being fixed to the container, an outlet port (3) communicating with said opening, an actuator (9) movably mounted on said neck structure between a closed position for occluding said outlet port and an open position for vacating said outlet port when a force is applied to said actuator, and a deck structure (13) extending from said neck structure transversely over said opening and forming a discharge channel (61) extending substantially linearly from said outlet port to said opening and defining a longitudinal discharge direction characterized in that said longitudinal discharge direction of the discharge channel is inclined to a horizontal (H) in an acute inclination angle (alpha) and that in the dispensing condition of operation the deck structure is immovably fixed to the neck structu
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: APTAR FREYUNG GMBH
    Inventor: Franz Lenz
  • Patent number: 8336745
    Abstract: A dispensing closure has a key-hole shaped flow conduit that provides a sufficient flow restriction to prevent unwanted spurting of the product. The dispensing closure includes a closure body with an upper and lower deck, inner and outer skirt, and a flow conduit extending through the upper deck. The flow conduit includes including two or more vertically oriented walls and a bottom wall. The vertically oriented walls define a fluid trapping area and a partition wall depending downwardly from said upper deck. The bottom wall configured and arranged to be positioned along a horizontal axis. The flow conduit includes one entrance orifice having one entrance axis and an exit orifice having an exit axis. The entrance axis is stepped or offset from the exit axis whereby the flow conduit provides a non-linear flow path of product from an interior of the closure to an exterior of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: MWV Slatersville, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Brannon, Clifford W. Skillin, Sergey Romanov
  • Patent number: 8336732
    Abstract: A container used to retain hot liquids in manner which enables the liquid within the container to be consumed by a person holding the container in the person's hand and drinking the liquid when the lid is in either the open or closed condition. The container has the unique features of having a self-sealing lid which is retained on the container through a living hinge. Another unique feature of the present invention is the incorporation of a thermal barrier comprised of ribs or ridges formed into the sidewall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Earthkare Packaging Innovations Company
    Inventor: Glenn Tobias
  • Patent number: 8308022
    Abstract: A stopper for application to a container of the type with a base, an emptying duct, a lid, mounted on the base to pivot between an open and a closed position, a hinge with elastic return which holds the lid in the open position thereof and locking means, for locking the lid on the base. The stopper comprises positive unlocking means for the lid from the base, which are manually operated to provide a force to disengage the holding means. The base is a unitary construction and made from plastic material, the lid is made from the same plastic material and the leaf of the hinge is in an elastomeric plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: The Zebra Company
    Inventors: Bertrand Barre, Xavier Gibert, Francis Lepage
  • Patent number: 8302824
    Abstract: A dispensing closure has a flow conduit that provides a sufficient flow restriction to prevent unwanted spurting of the product when the container is initially opened. The dispensing closure includes a closure body with an upper deck and a flow conduit extending through the upper deck. The flow conduit includes an entry orifice having an entrance axis and an exit orifice having an exit axis. The entrance axis is parallel to, but not co-linear with, the exit axis to provide a non-linear flow path from an interior of the closure to the exterior of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Polytop LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J Brannon, Clifford W. Skillin, Sergey Romanov
  • Publication number: 20120234850
    Abstract: A cover for a pie pan or similar type of pan or plate has a ring and a lid pivotally attached to the ring by a flex joint. A pan is placed into the ring with a lip of the pan resting on top of the ring. The cover is folded over and pressed down onto the ring. Interlocking elements on tabs on the ring and lid engage each other and hold the lid down onto the ring, with the lip of the pan between them. The lid may include inwardly projecting teeth spaced apart on an inside surface of the lid, with the teeth adapted to hold the lip of a pan between the ring and the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Brad Anthony Picard, Elie Helou, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120074159
    Abstract: Reclosable pour systems useful on any suitable container and containers comprising the reclosable pour systems are disclosed. The system features a pour opening comprising a hinged flap and a tab that enables latchable reclosing and reopening of the pour opening, to allow the pouring of a flowable material contained within the container. A unitary blank capable of being cut and folded to produce a container comprising the reclosable pour system, as well as methods of manufacture and use of a container comprising the reclosable pour system, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Amy Johnson Krasucki, Edgar Merino, Brian Scott Canady
  • Publication number: 20120067915
    Abstract: A closure having a base and a lid is provided. The lid is movable between a closed and an open position. The closure comprises retaining means for stably retaining the lid in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: OBRIST CLOSURES SWITZERLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Francis Lepage
  • Patent number: 8127970
    Abstract: A bottle formed of a food-grade plastic material, such as clear polyethylene terephthalate, may include a frustoconical neck portion, a shoulder region, a base region, and a sidewall portion have opposed grip-enhancing surfaces, and elastically deformable pressure panels. A cap for the container may include a valve to control product leakage, and may be sized to allow inversion of the bottle. A generally trapezoidal tab of the cap may be moveable between a closed position covering a cap orifice and an open position outside the plane of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: H.J. Heinz Company
    Inventors: Wayne C. Cleary, Michael D. McMahon
  • Patent number: 8100289
    Abstract: A container used to retain hot liquids in manner which enables the liquid within the container to be consumed by a person holding the container in the person's hand and drinking the liquid when the lid is in either the open or closed condition. The container has the unique features of having a self-sealing lid which is retained on the container through a living hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Earthkare Packaging Innovations Company
    Inventor: Glenn Tobias
  • Publication number: 20110315701
    Abstract: A plastic container having a container body and a permanently attached container lid is provided. The container lid is attached to the container body by a living hinge such that the entire plastic container is a one-piece construction. The container lid is pre-curved such that in an open state the container lid is curved. However, when the container lid mates with the container body in a closed state, at least a portion of the container lid that was previously curved becomes substantially planar such that portions of the lid remain biased into the container body. The container incorporates at least one projection that acts as a detent-catch mechanism to secure the lid to the body. The projection reduces the likelihood that the seal formed between the lid and the container when in a closed position will be inadvertently broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: SUSSEX IM, INC.
    Inventor: Keith S. Everson
  • Patent number: 8079484
    Abstract: A combination of bottle and cap for dispensing a liquid. The bottle includes a narrow neck and a hollow handle. The hollow interior of the handle communicates at its upper and lower end with the interior of the body, to permit a flow of air through the neck opening, via the interior of the handle, to a lower region within the interior of the container so as to minimize glugging during pouring. The cap comprises a cap body attachable to the neck of the bottle. The cap includes on its crown first and second openings, for dispensing liquid and intake of air, respectively. The cap is configured to attach to the container body so as to position the second opening generally facing the handle, while the first opening is opposed to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Rwachsberg Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Wachsberg
  • Patent number: 8066158
    Abstract: A closure for a container is disclosed having a body portion, a top portion, and a plurality of sealing rings. The body portion has an open bottom formed of a skirt and an end wall defining an opening. The top portion has a flap that is movable from a closed position where the opening is covered to an open position where the opening is at least partially uncovered to allow for matter to be dispensed. The plurality of sealing rings are within the skirt beneath the end wall and comprise (1) a first ring with a sealing surface provided a first radial distance from the skirt and a first axial distance from the end wall and (2) a second ring with a sealing surface provided a second radial distance from the skirt and a second axial distance from the end wall. The first radial distance is different than the second radial distance and the first axial distance is different than the second axial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Gateway Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Vogel, Terrence M. Parve
  • Patent number: 8056749
    Abstract: A plastic closure includes a base molded as one piece with a lid and integrally connected to the lid by a hinge. The lid is radially inwardly displaced from an outer periphery of the base. The hinge has a central portion with a convex outer surface, with the lid closed and as viewed in side elevation, that blends with a smooth curvature into outer surfaces of the lid and the base. The hinge has laterally spaced end portions on opposite sides of the central portion and having concave outer surfaces when the lid is closed. The base preferably has a circular periphery and the end portions of the hinge are angularly spaced from each other. The outer surface of the lid preferably is flat, and the lid preferably is integrally connected to the base as molded by at least one frangible bridge spaced from the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rexam Closure Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Philip J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8038041
    Abstract: A dispensing closure has a flow conduit that provides a sufficient flow restriction to prevent unwanted spurting of the product when the container is initially opened. The dispensing closure includes a closure body with an upper deck and a flow conduit extending through the upper deck. The flow conduit includes an entry orifice having an entrance axis and an exit orifice having an exit axis. The entrance axis is offset from the exit axis to provide a non-linear flow path from an interior of the closure to the exterior of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation, a Rhode Island corporation
    Inventors: Clifford Skillin, Sergey Romanov, Patrick J. Brannon
  • Publication number: 20110226792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a product, particularly a cosmetic product, including a body of a receptacle, a dispensing head welded onto the body, one of the body and the head including a layer of a mixture of polypropylene and polyethylene, the other being constituted of polypropylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: L'OREAL
    Inventors: Leandre Lasfargues, Walter Kreidler
  • Publication number: 20110220673
    Abstract: The invention closures may be used to house ophthalmic lens solutions and methods of using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Elysha Huntington, Richard Tanaka, Anthony Yumul
  • Patent number: 8016162
    Abstract: A bottle formed of a food-grade plastic material, such as clear polyethylene terephthalate includes a frustoconical neck portion, a shoulder region, a base region, and a sidewall portion have opposed grip-enhancing surfaces, and elastically deformable pressure panels. A cap for the container may include a valve to control product leakage, and may be sized to allow inversion of the bottle. A generally trapezoidal tab of the cap moves between a closed position covering a cap orifice and an open position outside the plane of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: H.J. Heinz Company
    Inventors: Wayne C. Cleary, Michael D. McMahon
  • Patent number: 8011566
    Abstract: A hinged lid structure is provided that is configured for attachment to a paperboard receptacle. The lid structure includes a tamper evident shield structure that requires breaking at least a portion of the shield structure away to effect exposure of a portion of the lid structure to a user to effect opening of the lid structure. The lid structure also includes a plurality of peripherally spaced apart webs for providing structural rigidity to the lid structure and therefore additional strength the upper open end of the receptacle it is attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Huhtamaki, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Robertson, Michael Liming
  • Publication number: 20110200716
    Abstract: A container lid comprises a top, substantially planar surface, means for coupling with a top of a container, a depressed area, a raised area, and a hinge area. The top, substantially planar surface is elongated to define two opposite longitudinal edges and two opposite lateral edges, and each of the two opposite lateral edges extends between and is shorter than each of the two longitudinal edges. The depressed area is surrounded by and extends below the top, substantially planar surface. The raised area is surrounded by and extends above the top, substantially planar surface. The raised area is positioned nearest one of the two opposite lateral edges and the depressed area is positioned nearest the other one of the two opposite lateral edges. The hinge area extends laterally across the top, substantially planar surface and is positioned between the depressed area and the raised area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua MORENSTEIN, Vivian BARAD, Brian CUTTER
  • Patent number: 7980432
    Abstract: A dispensing closure has a key-hole shaped flow conduit that provides a sufficient flow restriction to prevent unwanted spurting of the product when the container is initially opened. The dispensing closure includes a closure body with an upper and lower deck, inner and outer skirt, and a flow conduit extending through the upper deck. The outer skirt is configured to mount to a product container. The flow conduit includes including two or more vertically oriented walls and a bottom wall. The bottom wall configured and arranged to be positioned along a horizontal axis. The flow conduit includes one or more entrance orifices having one or more entrance axes and an exit orifice having an exit axis. The entrance axis is stepped or offset from the exit axis whereby the flow conduit provides a non-linear flow path of product from an interior of the closure to an exterior of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Brannon, Clifford W. Skillin, Sergey Romanov
  • Patent number: RE42943
    Abstract: A bottle cap is provided that allows for venting of gases generated in a bottle. A single or multiple ridges are formed on the inner surface of the cap top such that the ridges sit on the bottle mouth rim when the cap is threaded onto the bottle. A single or multiple slots may be formed across each of the ridges. Alternatively, a single or multiple grooves may be formed on the inner surface of the cap top. The ridge(s) or groove(s) may also be formed on a disc fitted over the inner surface of the cap top. When the cap is threaded on to the bottle, gases generated in the bottle can escape through the slot(s) formed across the ridge(s) or through the groove (s) formed on the inner surface of the cap top. A liner having an opening formed through its thickness may be placed in the cap. The liner opening allows the passage of gases from the bottle to the slot(s) or groove(s) formed on the cap top or disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Innovation Update, LLC
    Inventor: Woodrow W. Pearce