Abstract: A closure is provided having a base formed of a first material and cap formed of a second material. The first material and the second material are chemically incompatible with one another such that the base and the cap do not bond together when formed using a sequential injection molding process. The cap is movable upon the base between a closed and open configuration. The closure forms a seal impervious to liquids when the cap is in the closed configuration. Alternatively, in the open configuration, the closure is suitable to dispense a product.

Abstract: An articulating eating utensil consists of a utensil head, a shaft, and a handle. The utensil head and the handle are formed of a first material, and the shaft is formed of a second material. The utensil head is provided as the bowl of a spoon, the tines of a fork, a spatula, or any other utensil head useful in handling food for consumption. In a first configuration, the shaft is retracted within an interior cavity of the handle and the utensil head is pivoted toward the handle, such that the eating utensil is a small and lightweight instrument. In a second configuration, the utensil head is pivoted away from the handle and the shaft is extended from the interior cavity of the handle, such that the eating utensil functions like a traditional non-articulating eating utensil.

Abstract: A compressible molded component comprises a compressible cushion member integrally formed with an additional member. The compressible cushion member is comprised of a deformable material formed by an injection molding process. During the molding process, the deformable material is injected in molten form into a core component of a mold, the core component having an array of protrusions. The array of protrusions in the mold forms an array of voids in the compressible cushion member when the component is removed from the mold. The additional member may include a skin member and/or a structural member attached to the compressible cushion member.

Abstract: A method for creating spout assembly for use with a container having an internal chamber in communication with a predefined opening includes molding steps. A hollow body is molded of a first material and includes a passage therethrough. A base member of a second material is molded over the hollow body in a mold using at least a part of the hollow body as at least a part of the mold, The base member is configured to be secured to the container and is configured to cover the predefined opening. The step of molding the base member over the hollow body is carried out such that the hollow body is rotatably mounted to the base member to be movable between an open position and a closed position upon completion of the molding step.

Abstract: A closure for a liquid container, such as a sports drink bottle, includes a base component that is engaged over the mouth of the container, and a cap component engaged on the base component for movement from a closed position to an open position by pressure from the lips of the consumer. The base component includes a valve element supported on a fenestrated pedestal. The cap component includes a body defining a drinking surface for contacting the lips of the consumer and an annular sealing disc recessed below the drinking surface. The sealing disc is retained by the valve element against the force of a resiliently deformable seal disposed between the base component and the cap component. The seal has a sealing rim that is in constant contact with the base portion and provides an upward spring force to hold the sealing disc in the normally closed position. The seal includes a flexible hinge that allows the resiliently deformable seal to bow outward or bellows when the cap is depressed.

Abstract: A continuous flexible conduit is formed from like-configured components, each having a male joint member and a female joint member with a passageway extending therethrough. The female joint member is over-molded about a corresponding male joint member to form a substantially fluid-tight articulating joint. In a method of producing the flexible conduit, a single-shot molding process is used to form each like-configured component, with each newly formed component indexed within the single-shot mold so that the male joint member is within the female mold cavity for the formation of the next component. In an alternative embodiment, a continuous conduit is formed of two different sets of like configured components—one set having only female joint members and the other set having only male joint members. A two-shot molding process is described for continuous production of the flexible conduit using these two sets of components.

Abstract: A sprinkler cover assembly includes a polymeric sprinkler housing which is configured to receive a sprinkler head. The sprinkler cover assembly also includes a polymeric cover for covering an open end of the polymeric sprinkler housing. Moreover, the sprinkler cover assembly includes a thermoreactive adhesive disposed between the polymeric sprinkler housing and the polymeric cover so as to secure the polymeric cover to the polymeric sprinkler housing.