Patents Assigned to Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc.
  • Patent number: 11225361
    Abstract: A closure for a container includes a cap connected to a retaining ring. The cap includes a cover and a skirt. A plurality of concentric threads are disposed on an inside surface of the skirt. The plurality of threads includes at least a first thread at a first level and a second thread at a second level. The first thread is comprised of at least a first thread segment separated from a second thread segment by a first space. The second thread is comprised of at least a third thread segment separated from a fourth thread segment by a second space. A plurality of latch segments includes a first latch segment separated from a second latch segment by a third space. The first space, the second space, and the third space at least partially overlap in along a radial direction of the cap to provide a flex point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: BLACKHAWK MOLDING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hidding, Jeffrey S. Davis, Thomas M. Urie
  • Patent number: 11001486
    Abstract: The invention relate generally to a tightening mechanism for a bottle filling and capping system, and a bottle neck configuration. More specifically, the invention includes a machine for tightening plastic caps onto the threaded necks of plastic bottles, and bottle neck configuration that facilitates the capping process, both of which result in a simple and effective capping operation. A conveying assembly moves the bottle in a circular path where the neck of the bottle and the cap are brought together by moving the bottle under a cap that is loosely held at a particular elevation and angle by a feeder mechanism. The conveying system constricts the rotational movement of the bottle, and a neck support stabilizes the neck of the bottle vertically, as the cap is pressed onto the neck initially by a roller. A capping station in a bottle filling line is comprised of a spring biased toothed finger that engage the peripheral edge of the caps as the bottles are conveyed through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BLACKHAWK MOLDING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Roy F. Parsons
  • Patent number: 10647480
    Abstract: A closure for a container of the kind use to deliver milk and juice. The closure is a two-piece construction comprise of a lid and a base. The closure preferably has overall dimensions that approximate a standard unitary cap use with the same containers, so that the closure can easily be used with standard feeding equipment in a bottling facility. The closure has a hinge that is formed of a post connected by a tab to the lid, and hinge supports extending upwardly from the closure's base. The hinge supports include a hook and a bridge. The hook allows the tab to slide under the hook during assembly of the lid to the base. Once the tab is positioned between hook and the bridge, the hook blocks disassembly of the lid from the base. The post of the hinge assembly fits within tunnel sections formed by the hook and the bridge, and gripping forces applied by the hook and/or bridge hold the lid in an open position when contents are poured from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BLACKHAWK MOLDING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Davis, Douglas J. Hidding
  • Publication number: 20200122899
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein are directed to a high density polyethylene cap with various flex points that act as hinges or stretch points, whereby the cap behaves similar to a low density polyethylene cap when installed on a bottle neck
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: BLACKHAWK MOLDING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Douglas J. HIDDING, Jeffrey S. DAVIS, Thomas M. URIE
  • Publication number: 20190047835
    Abstract: The invention relate generally to a tightening mechanism for a bottle filling and capping system, and a bottle neck configuration. More specifically, the invention includes a machine for tightening plastic caps onto the threaded necks of plastic bottles, and bottle neck configuration that facilitates the capping process, both of which result in a simple and effective capping operation. A conveying assembly moves the bottle in a circular path where the neck of the bottle and the cap are brought together by moving the bottle under a cap that is loosely held at a particular elevation and angle by a feeder mechanism. The conveying system constricts the rotational movement of the bottle, and a neck support stabilizes the neck of the bottle vertically, as the cap is pressed onto the neck initially by a roller. A capping station in a bottle filling line is comprised of a spring biased toothed finger that engage the peripheral edge of the caps as the bottles are conveyed through the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: BLACKHAWK MOLDING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Roy F. PARSONS
  • Publication number: 20180072471
    Abstract: A closure for a container of the kind use to deliver milk and juice. The closure is a two-piece construction comprise of a lid and a base. The closure preferably has overall dimensions that approximate a standard unitary cap use with the same containers, so that the closure can easily be used with standard feeding equipment in a bottling facility. The closure has a hinge that is formed of a post connected by a tab to the lid, and hinge supports extending upwardly from the closure's base. The hinge supports include a hook and a bridge. The hook allows the tab to slide under the hook during assembly of the lid to the base. Once the tab is positioned between hook and the bridge, the hook blocks disassembly of the lid from the base. The post of the hinge assembly fits within tunnel sections formed by the hook and the bridge, and gripping forces applied by the hook and/or bridge hold the lid in an open position when contents are poured from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: BLACKHAWK MOLDING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. DAVIS, Douglas J. HIDDING
  • Publication number: 20170073206
    Abstract: The invention relate generally to a tightening mechanism for a bottle filling and capping system, and a bottle neck configuration. More specifically, the invention includes a machine for tightening plastic caps onto the threaded necks of plastic bottles, and bottle neck configuration that facilitates the capping process, both of which result in a simple and effective capping operation. A conveying assembly moves the bottle in a circular path where the neck of the bottle and the cap are brought together by moving the bottle under a cap that is loosely held at a particular elevation and angle by a feeder mechanism. The conveying system constricts the rotational movement of the bottle, and a neck support stabilizes the neck of the bottle vertically, as the cap is pressed onto the neck initially by a roller. A capping station in a bottle filling line is comprised of a spring biased toothed finger that engage the peripheral edge of the caps as the bottles are conveyed through the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: BLACKHAWK MOLDING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Roy F. PARSONS
  • Publication number: 20150360829
    Abstract: A closure for a container of the kind use to deliver milk and juice. The closure is a two-piece construction comprise of a lid and a base. The closure preferably has overall dimensions that approximate a standard unitary cap use with the same containers, so that the closure can easily be used with standard feeding equipment in a bottling facility. The closure has a hinge that is formed of a post connected by a tab to the lid, and hinge supports extending upwardly from the closure's base. The hinge supports include a hook and a bridge. The hook allows the tab to slide under the hook during assembly of the lid to the base. Once the tab is positioned between hook and the bridge, the hook bocks disassembly of the lid from the base. The post of the hinge assembly fits within tunnel sections formed by the hook and the bridge, and gripping forces applied by the hook and/or bridge hold the lid in an open position when contents are poured from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: BLACKHAWK MOLDING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. DAVIS, Douglas J. HIDDING
  • Publication number: 20120285963
    Abstract: A closure for glass and polycarbonate bottles. The closure is the press-on and pull off type, i.e., it is unthreaded. The closure has a down-outwardly extending rib on the underside of the lid that forms a seal on the upwardly and outwardly facing surface of the neck of the bottle. The closure has a removable tamper indicating ring connected to the lower portion of the skirt of the closure by a reduced-thickness tear strip. In one embodiment, slits are formed in the tear strip to further increase the sensitivity of the tear strip to tampering. Between the slits, links in the tear strip act to hold the ring in connection with the lower portion of the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: BLACKHAWK MOLDING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. DAVIS, Douglas J. HIDDING
  • Patent number: 8172102
    Abstract: A cap for use with bottled water dispensing systems. The cap includes a main cap and a liner. The main cap has an opening which receives and seals against a probe. The liner is gripped between the main cap and the bottle neck and has a outside part and an inner movable part. The inner movable part is linked to the outer part by a large connecting section that serves as a hinge, and breakable or frangible connecting section. When the bottle is lowered onto the dispensing system, the probe enters into the opening in the main cap, breaks the frangible connection, and pushes the inner movable part open like a flap. The liner, at the location of the large connecting section, is resilient such that the inner movable part tends to close when the bottle is removed from the dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hidding
  • Patent number: 7350656
    Abstract: A cap for use with bottled water dispensing systems. The cap includes a main cap and a liner. The main cap has an opening which receives and seals against a probe. The liner is gripped between the main cap and the bottle neck and has a outside part and an inner movable part. The inner movable part is separated from the outer part by perforations and is connected to the outer part by a large connecting section, which serves as a hinge, and small connecting sections, which serve as frangible ties. When the bottle is lowered onto the dispensing system, the probe enters into the opening in the main cap, breaks the frangible ties, and pushes the inner movable part open like a flap. The liner, at the location of the large connecting section, is resilient such that the inner movable part tends to close when the bottle is removed from the dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hidding
  • Patent number: 6945011
    Abstract: A system for sealing threaded containers. The system includes a clutch-free spindle assembly which is easily disassembled and cleaned. The special interface between the exterior surface of the cap an the gripping jaws of the chuck allow the system to operate without the moving parts and complications that attend the use of clutch. The spindle assembly features an easily adjustable stop arm and a quick release pin for removing and cleaning the chuck. The chuck has several passageways for the rapid infusion of cleaning fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hidding, Joseph E. Bashour
  • Patent number: 6158305
    Abstract: A bottle cap remover used to separate a cap from a bottle wherein the cap has an upper section and a lower section, and at least a portion of the upper section of the cap protrudes radially outwardly beyond the lower section of the cap. The cap remover includes a first grip member and a second grip member. The first grip member is rigidly mounted to a stop plate in a position where the first grip member is spaced from the stop plate to define a gap between the first grip member and the stop plate. The first grip member includes a cap engaging edge which at least partially corresponds to an outside surface of the cap. The second grip member is positioned in opposed relationship to the first grip member and has a grip surface positioned a predetermined distance from the cap engaging edge of the first grip member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Slepicka
  • Patent number: 5826409
    Abstract: A bottle cap removing system which is easily adapted to a conveyor system of either 5-gallon or 3-gallon bottle movement within a bottling or recycling facility. Such system automatically determines which, if any, bottles have attached bottle caps and automatically removes such bottle caps in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Multiple lengths of steel comprise a main support structure which supports an overhead decapping assembly. As bottles from a conveyor line pass underneath this decapping assembly, a sensor determines whether or not the first bottle in the line has an attached bottle cap. If such bottle has an attached bottle cap, pneumatic actuators located at both the lower and upper front end of the support structure are energized to extend a set of bottle pads into the path of the bottle. This bottle's movement is thus stopped and its bottle cap situated immediately underneath the decapping assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Slepicka, Douglas J. Hidding