By Applying A Separate Preformed Closure (e.g., Lid, Cap) Patents (Class 53/485)
  • Patent number: 6622460
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure of integrally molded plastic construction that includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with internal threads for engaging external threads on a container finish. A tamper-indicating band is connected to the edge of the skirt by a plurality of circumferentially spaced integral frangible bridges. A stop flange extends axially outwardly and radially inwardly from an edge of the band remote from the skirt for inversion and engagement with a bead on the container finish. The stop flange is in the form of a circumferentially continuous base of uniform thickness circumferentially of the band, and either uniform or increasing thickness radially and axially of the band. A plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs are integral with and extend from the base. The lugs widen uniformly from zero thickness at the band to a maximum thickness at the free edge of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6598375
    Abstract: In order to fit a box lid to a box tray a pair of opposed plates are used. Each plate is pivotably mounted intermediately of its upper and lower edges such that upper edges of the opposed plates may pivot toward and away from each other. Each plate is biased to an inclined position whereat the upper edges of the opposed plates are more proximate than the lower edges of the plates. With this arrangement, a lid may be placed with respect to the pair of opposed plates such that opposed lower edges of the lid are positioned below the upper edges of said plates and at an outward side of said plates. A box tray may then be raised between the plates such that the box tray urges each of the plates away from its inclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Longford Equipment International Limited
    Inventor: Paul J. Connelly
  • Publication number: 20030110736
    Abstract: A method and closure and container combination for packaging and sealing a commodity in a container that reduces headspace gases, in particular oxygen, allowing the packaged commodity to have a longer shelf life. The method is also useful for reducing stresses on containers that undergo filling at an elevated temperature and/or require in-container pasteurization or retort processes after fill and seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy J. Boyd
  • Patent number: 6579390
    Abstract: A patch, method of applying a patch, and an applicator device for application of the patch to cover the opening of a hole in a gable-top carton panel. The patch is made from a frangible laminate material and is welded to the underside of the carton panel, corresponding to the side in contact with the beverage contained therein. The welder is located outside the container and the patch is applied to the carton after bottom seal formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventor: Richard A. Tedford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6576918
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for transporting a syringe containing radioactive material that provides many advantages, including the safe enclosure of the syringe both before and after use, which reduces the possibility of contamination of the radiopharmaceutical pig. The present invention also provides a radiopharmaceutical pig that eliminates the need for a protective plastic outer shell and has a convenient grip. Finally, the present invention allows the user to readily determine if a syringe within a closed sharps container is full or spent without handling the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Syncor International Corp.
    Inventors: Monty Mong Chen Fu, Bing Bing Zhu
  • Publication number: 20030101692
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for flattening cover tape prior to the cover tape being sealed to a carrier tape. The apparatus includes a cover tape flattener with a leading edge angled in the direction of the moving carrier tape and cover tape. The method and apparatus provide for smoothing the cover tape and sealing the cover tape to the carrier tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Merlin E. Behnke
  • Patent number: 6564531
    Abstract: A blow molded, bi-axially oriented plastic canister or container has a generally cylindrical body, a bottom, and a tapering upper portion, which terminates at a wide mouth or opening surrounded by a radially outwardly directed annular flange having an inwardly facing corner. A generally disc-shaped closure insert having a circumferential rim and a dispensing outlet is placed across the opening such that the closure rim is generally fitted into the corner of the annular flange. Heat or some other form of energy is applied to the entirety of the annular flange, which in response shrinks to tightly conform to and engage the closure rim, forming a circumferential seal. The dispensing outlet may be provided with an outlet closure, such as a screw cap or the like. Also, a sealant may be disposed between the annular flange and the closure rim before the heat is applied in order to form an enhanced seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: DTL Technology Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Martin H. Beck
  • Patent number: 6550227
    Abstract: A device for and method of robotically crating objects, such as consumer goods, being capable of securing an upstanding enclosure to a recyclable pallet having structural uprights. The device conveys a pallet and enclosure assembly into a work station, installs a number of threaded fasteners into predetermined locations in the top and two adjacent sides of the assembly, rotates the assembly one-hundred eighty degrees, installs fasteners into the two remaining sides, rotates the assembly back to the initial position, and conveys the secured crate assembly out of the work station. The device includes the ability to detect the number of times a recyclable pallet has been used, and to adjust the exact locations of fasteners accordingly, thereby assuring that new fasteners are always installed into an unused fastener location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. Panzarella, Robb W. Roloff
  • Patent number: 6546702
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices for encapsulating medicinal products and methods of using these devices to form the encapsulated product. More specifically, the present invention includes improved closing and/or ejection pins for use with a conventional capsule closing device. The closing pins may be hollow down a longitudinal interior diameter and may include a chamfered capsule contacting surface. The closing and/or ejection pins may be removably mounted to a pin plate and may be manufactured from a polymer. The pin plate may be attached to an actuation shaft in a non-rotational fashion, such as with a non-circular shaft profile and set screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Nutricia Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Wayne Pickett
  • Publication number: 20030056475
    Abstract: A container packaging method is provided which ensures a sealing ability and yet has an easy opening ability. Between a container edge (1) and a film covering an upper opening face of a container, a strip seal (3), having a portion sealed partially weakly at an outer side portion of a corner of the container edge (1), is formed and a double line seal 5, 6 is formed on the strip seal (3). An outer line seal (5) has its corner end projected toward an outer side edge of the corner of the container edge (1). The outer line seal (5) and an inner line seal (6) are connected by a seal connection (8) formed in a diagonal direction B-B of the container. The inner line seal (6) has its inner side edge at the corner of the container edge (1) formed in a cornered shape (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakabayashi, Kazuhiko Goto
  • Publication number: 20030051445
    Abstract: A press-on, twist-off container assembly of the type that is used, for example, and baby food containers includes a container that has, as conventional, a finish portion with at least one external threadand a closure that is mounted on the container. The closure is of the press-on, twist-off type and includes a panel portion and a skirt portion that together define a generally cylindrical interior recess. As is conventional, a deformable gasket is mounted within the interior recess that has a thread engaging portion that is deformed so as to at least partially conform to the external threads of said finish portion of said container. The thread engaging portion advantageously has a plurality of inwardly extending raised flutes that are circumferentially spaced irregularly about the thread engaging portion. At least some of the flutes are in contact with at least one of the external threads at respective points of contact, and each external thread has a total distance spanned by such points of contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Jim L. Martin, Larry A. Hottle, Galen G. German, C. Roger Hamrick
  • Publication number: 20030041565
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling a plurality of tubes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a positioning device that directs a tube from a hopper to a labeler where a label is applied to the tube. The positioning device further directs the tube to one of a plurality of filling stations where a continuous flow of filling material is dispensed into the tube. The tube is then directed to a capping device where a cap is applied to an end of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David P. Banks, Darrell D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030009985
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Donald R. Close, Mark Bankard, William D. Finch, Robert Wesley Cutlip, Robert D. Lundahl, Dwight Koogle
  • Patent number: 6502369
    Abstract: A method of supporting a plastic container exposed to elevated temperatures during product filling and packaging to eliminate heat and internal pressure induced distortion, internal vacuum distortion, or structural failure. Plastic containers usually have a body with exterior configuration and a sealable open mouth. The invention provides a method of hot filling, pasteurising and retort processing of conventional containers during product filling where at least a portion of the container is confined in a support casing having an interior cavity mating the exterior configuration of the container body portion. The product is then introduced into the container, and the container mouth is sealed. A positive pressure is induced within the sealed container while the container is exposed to a product processing temperature. An unsupported PET container exposed to high heat and internal pressure variations would distort or fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Amcor Twinpak-North America Inc.
    Inventors: David Andison, Steven Scheffer
  • Patent number: 6477823
    Abstract: A closure device for a plastic container includes a liner and a plastic closure. The liner is sealed to the neck of the bottle at the end face of the neck and along a portion of the outer surface of the neck. The plastic closure engages the liner to retain the liner against the neck during sealing and to seal the area between the liner and the closure top from liquids present during cooling of the container. The closure includes a top wall, an annular closure skirt depending from the top wall, an annular outer flexible seal depending from the top wall, and at least one annular pressure ring. The outer flexible seal retains an outer edge of the liner against the outer surface of the container neck and prevents ingress of liquids. The annular pressure ring engages the liner to retain the liner against the end face of the neck during sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kerr Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Kitterman, Mervyn Faris
  • Publication number: 20020157352
    Abstract: A photosensitive sheet film package, comprises a container including a floor plate having at least four sides, and side walls, wherein each of the four sides of the floor plate is connected to at least one of the side walls; and wherein the top of the space surrounded by the side walls is opened, a stack of photosensitive sheet films in said container; and a light-shielding bag in which the stack of photosensitive sheet films and the container are packaged light-tightly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Wataru Tachikawa, Mamoru Umeki
  • Publication number: 20020152728
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for capping blown containers is provided. The top surfaces of a snap-on cap are preferably engaged sequentially by pressure members that traverse different segments thereof. The pressure members urge the cap over the neck of a container as they traverse the cap. The pressure members are preferably mounted to a support that is positioned above an initially loosely capped container, and resiliently urge the cap in a downward direction. The pressure exerted by each pressure member on the cap may be adjustable. The surfaces of the pressure members for engaging the cap are preferably substantially spherical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Ultraseal Technologies Corporation.
    Inventors: Emanuel E. Wohlgemuth, William Michael Rebstock
  • Publication number: 20020119222
    Abstract: A wide mouthed container (2) filled with beer (20) has a first closure member (12) applied thereto and held in position. The container is then moved along the filling line to a cleaning station at which the exterior thereof is subjected to high pressure jets of water to clean any contaminants therefrom. After drying, a second closure member (14) is screwed over the first closure member (12) to seal the container. In this manner, it is ensured that there are no contaminants on the exterior of the container near the mouth opening so that it is safe to drink from the container after opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Matthew J. Searle, Michael E. Goar
  • Patent number: 6412653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a moulded plastic container which defines at least one receptacle for receiving a food material or the like, the container further including a utensil such as a spoon which is frangibly detachable from the container when the utensil is to be used for mixing, stirring or eating purposes. In a preferred form of the invention the moulded plastic container has two receptacles adjacent each other wherein the utensil is provided between the two receptacles along a fold axis between each of the receptacles, the fold axis allowing for the pivoting of each of the receptacles relative to each other for the transferring of contents from one receptacle to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Carter Holt Harvey Limited
    Inventor: Peter John Waterhouse
  • Patent number: 6402019
    Abstract: A method of fitting a closable opening device (2, 2′) to a sealed pourable food product package (1, 1′), the method including the steps of heat sealing a frame (15, 56) of the opening device (2, 2′) about a removable portion (10a, 70a) of the package (1, 1′), and heat sealing a cap (17, 58) of the opening device (2, 2′) directly to the removable portion (10a, 70a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Cristiano Casale
  • Publication number: 20020066716
    Abstract: A vented closure, for preventing deformation of a container containing a gas evolving liquid, is provided. The closure includes a first closure member and a second closure member. The first closure member seals the container from the outside atmosphere and defines a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane is placed in the gas flow passage. The second closure member is moveably fitted on the first closure member and encases the first closure member with a small clearance fit that allows gas passage. A sealing element coupled to the second closure member is aligned with the gas outlet of the first member so as to block gas flow when a predetermined load is applied to the second closure member and allow gas flow when the predetermined load is absent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: W. K. Mainquist, John F. Breznock
  • Publication number: 20020062626
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure of integrally molded plastic construction that includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with internal threads for engaging external threads on a container finish. A tamper-indicating band is connected to the edge of the skirt by a plurality of circumferentially spaced integral frangible bridges. A stop flange extends axially outwardly and radially inwardly from an edge of the band remote from the skirt for inversion and engagement with a bead on the container finish. The stop flange is in the form of a circumferentially continuous base of uniform thickness circumferentially of the band, and either uniform or increasing thickness radially and axially of the band. A plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs are integral with and extend from the base. The lugs widen uniformly from zero thickness at the band to a maximum thickness at the free edge of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: James L. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6381928
    Abstract: A closure and container package that includes a container having a finish with an external thread, and a closure having a base wall and a peripheral skirt with an internal thread for threadably engaging the external thread on the container finish. An internal rib on the skirt extends axially of the skirt between overlapping reaches of the internal thread for frictional engagement with the external thread on the container finish to retard rotation of the closure onto and off of the finish. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, there are diametrically opposed ribs on the internal surface of the peripheral skirt extending between overlapping reaches of the internal thread, with the ribs being of lesser radial thickness than the internal threads. A tamper-indicating band is coupled to the lower edge of the peripheral skirt by frangible bridges for engagement with a bead on the container finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6363695
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for use in connection with closing a liquid packaging container, the said container comprising a cylindrical or truncated cone-like casing part (1) and end members (2,3) connected to it, of which at least one (3) is formed of fiber-based, such as board-based material, for example, liquid packaging board, and comprises a skirt (15) folded in the direction of the casing part, by which skirt the end member is connected to the casing (1), in which method the container, which is finished at least with respect to its casing part (1) and the said one end member, is filled with a liquid (4) and the container is closed. According to the invention, the surface of one end member (3) which is on the outside of the container is moistened before the container is closed, thus reducing its rigidity to such an extent that the end member can be used in a bellows-like manner for controlling the pressure inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: UPM-Kymmene Corporation
    Inventor: Ensio Mykkänen
  • Publication number: 20020023414
    Abstract: Methods of forming a thermoformed recloseable flat package for a pill-like product are provided. A first enclosure portion having a closing member is first operably engaged with a second enclosure portion so as to form an enclosure for containing the product therein. One or more components of a locking mechanism are then formed, following formation of the enclosure, wherein the locking mechanism generally comprises a first component operably engaging the closing member and a cooperable second component operably engaging the second enclosure portion. The components of the locking mechanism are further configured to be separable so as to allow separation thereabout of the closing member from the second enclosure portion to thereby define the recloseable package capable of selectively allowing the product to be extracted from the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Aylward Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: John Thomas Aylward
  • Patent number: 6341472
    Abstract: A machine for sealing bottles with sealing caps includes a transporting track for supplying sealing caps, a separating device for making available separated sealing caps and a transfer device for placing the separated sealing caps on the bottles. At least the transfer device is disposed in a sterile chamber and a spraying device is provided for introducing a sterilizing agent into the interior space of the sealing caps and a drying device is also provided for driving sterilizing agent out of the sealing caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: GEA Finnah GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6296726
    Abstract: Sealed synthetic resin containers are spin welded by bringing opposed, generally complimentary horizontal mating surfaces of the lid and bowl into contact under a predetermined axial pressure and rapidly accelerating rotation of the lid relative to the bowl while maintaining substantially the axial pressure to produce melting of the mating surfaces until a desired torque value is attained. Thereafter, the rotation of the lid is immediately decelerated to terminate the rotation and allow the mating surfaces to bond. Generally, the torque is monitored repeatedly during the accelerating rotation until a plateau is reached and the accelerating step is continued for at least 50 milliseconds thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Silgan Containers Corporation
    Inventor: John Pencak
  • Publication number: 20010011446
    Abstract: A dispenser package for fluent products such as cosmetics and lotions that includes an integrally molded plastic container having a flexible body with a sidewall, a closed bottom, and a top wall having a dispensing opening offset from the axis of the container body. A closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt. In some embodiments of the invention, the closure is rotatably mounted on the container body, and has a dispensing opening in the closure base wall for selective registry with the dispensing opening in the top wall of the container body. Detent elements are provided on the closure and container body for selectively locking the closure in open and closed positions. In alternative embodiments, the closure includes a flip-top hinged to the base wall, with a plug extending therefrom for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening in the container body top wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6119883
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure of integrally molded plastic construction that include a base wall having a peripheral skirt with internal threads for engaging external threads on a container finish. A tamper-indicating band is connected to the edge of the skirt by a plurality of circumferentially spaced integral frangible bridges. A stop flange extends from an edge of the band remote from the skirt for engagement with a bead on the container finish. The stop flange has a circumferentially continuous free edge remote from the band disposed in a plane parallel to the base wall. A plurality of circumferentially spaced openings are disposed in the stop flange adjacent to the band for drainage of liquid from between the closure skirt and the container finish. A plurality of circumferentially spaced gussets in the stop flange are at the free edge of the ring, with each gusset being disposed between an adjacent pair of drainage openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Hock, Charles A. Webster, Shawn E. Kellogg, Paul R. Graham, Loleta T. Tolliver-Rogers
  • Patent number: 6112497
    Abstract: A vending machine is provided for packaging a plurality of articles into a unitary package. This vending machine includes a packaging area and a packer. The packer affixes a carrier to the discrete articles in the packaging area to form the package. The formed package is then discharged from the vending machine. The present vending machine therefore provides for forming a plurality of articles into a package within a single vending machine. A consumer can select what articles, such as different brands of beverage containers, which are combined to form the package. Also, the number of articles for each package can be selected by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: William S. Credle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6096358
    Abstract: Aseptically sterilized package of a liquid nutritional product manufactured by (a) providing a multi-layered plastic sheet having at least one polymeric structural layer and at least one polymeric barrier layer; (b) passing the sheet through a peroxide bath; (c) locating the sheet in a sterile environment; (d) applying heat a plurality of times to the sheet; (e) forming the sterilized sheet into a container having a body portion; (f) filling the body portion with a liquid nutritional product; (g) sealing the container with a tabbed, multi-layered closure; and (h) separating the sealed container from the remainder of the sheet. Preferably the liquid nutritional product is infant formula. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet is a laminate having two structural layers, each being about 45% of the laminate thickness and secured to either side of the barrier layer, which is about 5% of the laminate thickness, by an adhesive layer of about 2.5% of the laminate thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Brian K. Murdick, Lewis H. Sita, Todd A. Stevens, Vera T. Stavroff
  • Patent number: 6080253
    Abstract: The present invention fulfills the above stated needs, as well as others, by providing a automated container sealing apparatus that automatically removes seals from a backing and applies the seals to the container. The seals are pre-cut and have a size corresponding to the size of the container. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus for sealing containers, the containers defined by a generally planar sealing surface and one or more receptacles, wherein each of the one or more receptacles include an opening coplanar with and defining corresponding openings in the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Hitch
  • Patent number: 6051102
    Abstract: An opening of a flexible container is closed by a pull-tab. The wall curves when the pull-tab is applied thereto. The pull-tab follows the curving wall in the curve direction. A device for applying the pull-tab to the wall and/or a device for adhering the pull-tab to the wall are so constructed that they adapt to the changing form of the curving wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Ruediger Haaga GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 6027017
    Abstract: A container apparatus convertible from a shipping container having two or more adjacent trays into one or more display trays for the display of articles therewithin. The apparatus includes at least two trays and a tray cover. Each of the two trays includes a front panel, a back panel, two side panels and a bottom panel. Upon articulation, the height of the two side panels is greater than the height of at least one of the front and back panels. The tray cover includes two end panels, with at least one end panel having at least one tab member for positioning between the articles and at least one of the front and back panels, respectively, to secure the tray cover within each of the at least two trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Stone Container Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne H. Kuhn, Steven C. Burau
  • Patent number: 5983607
    Abstract: A package is provided with a lid and container that are heat sealed together. A multi-ply sheet material is provided for being thermoformed to define the container which has a tapering wall and bulge-resistant bottom end. Prior to thermoforming the container from the sheet, the sheet is heated with oval pads on a plurality of plates which are arranged in a configuration to facilitate control of the sheet temperature. A plug is used in the thermoforming process to contact the sheet and position the sheet within a die. A lid sheet is heat sealed to the container sheet over the thermoformed containers so as to produce a pair of spaced-apart, annular bead heat seals. The package is completed by severing the sealed-together sheets at the periphery of the container with a punch and die set that produces and clean, smooth cut surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Lori J. Mihalov, Lewis H. Sita, Todd A. Stevens, David C. Ulstad, W. George Zeitler
  • Patent number: 5983601
    Abstract: A machine and a method for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, an automated machine for the high-speed individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures. Additionally, the automated packaging machine incorporates operative mechanism adapted to wind the sutures into a peripheral channel of the tray and facilitating the attachment of the cover to the tray which contains the single needle and attached wound suture, and which cover concurrently constitutes a product-identifying label as a component of the tray, and upon removal of the cover enables a user to gain access to the contents of the tray; in essence, the armed suture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Blanch, David D. Demarest, Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves, William F. Smith, Michael G. Hodulik, Teresa M. Shaw, George Horst Reinemuth, Richard Paul Branco, Matthew Cafone
  • Patent number: 5943844
    Abstract: The present invention has several aspects. One aspect relates to a method of wrapping a package containing a food product which is attractive and serves to present the food product in an appealing setting. The package includes a preformed tray and a heat sensitive transparent film sheet which is attached at at least one attachment region to the tray without wrinkles in the film sheet. A packaging machine, a cutting and heating assembly and the package itself comprise the other aspects of the invention. In each case, the transparent film sheet is wrinkle free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Ross Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Wilhelm, Daniel E. Keene
  • Patent number: 5930984
    Abstract: A band seal is formed between a body and a cap of a capsule by fitting the cap on the body, and applying a gelatin-base sealant at least one time in the form of a band spanning the cap and the body. Band sealing is carried out by at least one of the following steps (A) to (E): the step (A) of applying the sealant at a temperature of 30-40.degree. C. at least when the sealant is first applied, the step (B) of applying the sealant at a viscosity of 50-200 centipoises at 50.degree. C. at least when the sealant is first applied, the step (C) of after the sealant is applied, blowing cold air at a temperature of up to 10.degree. C. to the band seal to cool the band seal below 10.degree. C., the step (D) of reducing the joint distance between the body and the cap shorter than the standard capsule length, and the step (E) of applying the sealant to only an edge adjacent portion of the cap surface when the sealant is first applied. The invention prevents bubbles from generating in the band seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Furuya, Takao Enomoto, Koji Sato, Taiichi Mizuta
  • Patent number: 5924266
    Abstract: An apparatus, means and system are described for providing a load center container apparatus for use with a load center, in which a container is adapted to receive a load center, wherein the container has a plurality of sides, an open top and a closed bottom, and a cover adapted to cover said open top of the container, wherein the container apparatus has a removable load center protector that is adapted for mounting on a load center. A method is also described for providing a method for protecting a load center using a load center packaging assembly having a load center protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Reynoldo Salvador
  • Patent number: 5918443
    Abstract: Medical syringe containment in a telescoping leakproof two-piece container for an individual medical syringe, especially as an inner container enclosing a radiopharmaceutical-filled syringe, and being enclosed in turn within a radiation-shielding outer container useful for shipment to a use location, where the respective containers are uncapped and the syringe is removed and used--whereupon the used syringe is re-inserted into the inner container before recapping, and the outer container is recapped about the recapped inner container and contents, for shipment to a disposal or reclamation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Paul B. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5896729
    Abstract: A container for shipping and handling devices is described. The container is particularly well suited to store sliders used in magnetic storage systems. The container includes a bottom piece and a detachable top piece. The bottom piece includes a base with a channel (also referred to as a device chamber) and two side walls. At least one device is stored in a channel in the base. The detachable top piece is secured to the bottom piece with a locking device. The locking device may include two substantially straight edges and two curved outer ridges. When the top piece is attached to the bottom piece, each of the curved outer ridges of the locking device extends into a groove in the inner surface of the side walls. The devices are contained within the container by a pair of slider stop devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Sonny Bell, Buddy Chang, Xavier Charles Lelong, Edward Joseph Pacheco, Bruno Alejandro Valdes, Michael Zung
  • Patent number: 5895540
    Abstract: A linerless double-backed adhesive tape structure is disclosed. In one embodiment the tape has three tape strips each with an adhesive coated surface and an adhesive free surface. Two of the strips are joined to a center strip along its lateral edges with the adhesive coated surfaces of the two strips overlapping and adhered to the adhesive coated surface of the center strip. Also disclosed is a method of unitizing and sealing a plurality of containers. In one embodiment a double-backed adhesive tape structure is adhered to each of the containers and the containers are stacked together with the exposed adhesive side of the tape on each container adhered to the exposed adhesive side of the tape on an adjacent container. Finally, an apparatus for dispensing the double-backed adhesive tape of the present invention is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Richard David, Dee Lynn Johnson, Kenneth Francis Knoll, Curtis Larson, Graham Edward Thoms, Raymond Daniel Zachrison
  • Patent number: 5890349
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the on-demand seating of a lid on pre-formed containers that are carried on a continually moving conveyor. A lid press plate (20) is connected to a linear actuator (36) by a mounting assembly (17). The mounting assembly (17) transmits a seating force from the linear actuator (36) to the lid press plate (20) for seating the lid while simultaneously allowing the horizontal movement of the lid press plate (20) from a first position to a second position by a driving force resulting solely from the application of a seating pressure between the lid press plate (20) and the lid (46). The lid press plate moves at the same velocity as the pre-formed container during application of the seating pressure. The lid press plate (20) is returned to the first position by a biasing assembly (18), after removal of the seating pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventors: Rick Heisler, Ronald Heisler
  • Patent number: 5858141
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a container with a cap and a seal member which is adhered to the neck. The seal member is inserted into the cap before the cap is applied to the neck by moving the cap in an axially downward direction relative to the neck to substantially seat the cap on the neck so that the cap cannot be removed without unscrewing the cap. The seal member is firmly held against the neck by the cap while the seal disc is adhered to the neck. In one modification, a pressure application applies a downward directed force to urge the cap against the neck while the seal disc is adhered to the neck. In another modification, the cap is tightened onto the neck at a fine adjustment station to eliminate gaps between the underside of the cap and the neck before the seal disc is adhered to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Repp, Daniel Luch, Anna Absolom
  • Patent number: 5849142
    Abstract: An applicator for applying surface relief three-dimensional seals or medallions to containers which includes a rotatable transfer ring having a plurality of seal retaining receivers therein formed therein in which plungers are reciprocally mounted. A vaccuum header is associated with the ring so as to create reduced pressure in the receivers for removing seals from a carrier tape and retaining the seals within the receivers as the transfer ring is indexed to align the seals with containers being conveyed relative to the applicator. An activator is provided for urging the plungers from the receivers to thereby apply the seals retained therein against aligned containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Stoffel Seals Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Fuehrer, Erwin Ruegg
  • Patent number: 5813963
    Abstract: A container assembly apparatus and method for assembling a roe shipping container. The lid of the container is manually positioned in contact with one edge of the container. A first button is pressed which allows swing arm to open and allow access by the container and lid to the assembly apparatus. As the container and lid move into the assembly apparatus, rails move the lid downwardly and into a closer relationship with the top edges of the container. A second swing arm terminates movement of the container and lid and maintains them in the assembly location under the apparatus. A second button is pressed and a platen moves downwardly to install the lid on the body of the container while simultaneously inserting a plug into an opening in the bottom of the container. The second button is released which allows the second swing arm to open the container to be moved from its assembly location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Fraser Box & Trading Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Arlen Jerome Erickson
  • Patent number: 5809750
    Abstract: A peelable, heat-sealable foil for closing containers, for example cups, of synthetic plastics material, in particular polystyrene, consists of one single, biaxially oriented layer of impact-resistant polystyrene, and in particular of impact-resistant polystyrene in admixture with a styrene-butadiene-di-blockcopolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Liliana Klepsch
  • Patent number: 5802812
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process, as well as a device which is suited for the same, for the processing of containers, particularly of bottles or the like, into which a fluid is injected for the expulsion of the air from the head room of the bottles after the filling, before the aperture of the container is closed, in a sealing manner, by means of a closure cap. After the injecting of the fluid, a closure cap is first of all moved forward to the opening of the container and held, for a certain period of time, in a position above the opening, in such a manner that the open aperture is covered by the closure cap, but that gas can exit from the container between the opening and the closure cap. After that, the closure cap is attached to the container in a sealing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Gerhard Heudecker
  • Patent number: 5776303
    Abstract: An opening of a flexible container is closed by a pull-tab. The wall curves when the pull-tab is applied thereto. The pull-tab follows the curving wall in the curve direction. A device for applying the pull-tab to the wall and/or a device for adhering the pull-tab to the wall are so constructed that they adapt to the changing form of the curving wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Ruediger Haaga GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 5775061
    Abstract: A method of shipping a burial casket in a knocked-down configuration and subsequently assembling the casket at its point of destination comprises the steps of providing a kit of disassembled casket components assemblable into a casket having a shell and a cap, packing the kit of components into shipping container, shipping the packaged casket kit to a destination point, removing the kit from the container and assembling the casket from the kit utilizing at least a portion of the shipping container as an interior component of the casket. A casket comprises a shell and cap assembled from a kit shipped in knocked-down configuration, a body support structure positioned in the shell for supporting a body and a floor for the casket upon which to support the body support structure in the shell. The body support structure is formed from the bottom of an elongated, shallow, generally rectangular shipping carton in which the casket kit is shipped. The floor is formed from the top of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Batesville Casket Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Enneking, Gary L. Henby, Wilbur A. Schebler, Patrick M. Saaf, Eugene A. Ritter, Andrew Capogrosso