Patents Examined by Nathan Newhouse
  • Patent number: 5836466
    Abstract: A safety closure and container assembly provided with a safety closure having a top wall and a downwardly-depending annular skirt. A pair of opposed, inwardly-projecting locking lugs are disposed on an inner surface of the annular skirt towards the lower end thereof. The locking lugs are radially offset from the squeeze pads by about 90.degree. and are furthermore sized to engage a pair of cooperating locking tabs provided on the container neck. The locking lugs are back-angled and form an interior angle of at least 30.degree. with an imaginary line extending inwardly and normally from the inner surface of the annular skirt at respective base ends of the locking lugs. The safety closure further includes annular slots disposed at an approximate axial midpoint of the annular skirt. The annular slots are located unsymmetrically between the locking lugs and the squeeze pads and are disposed through an arcuate distance of about 75.degree. beginning about 13.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Rexam Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc A. Briere, Christopher B. Clodfelter, William D. Sprick
  • Patent number: 5833090
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a metal lid constituted by a circular panel, endowed with downward short turned rim or skirt and provided in its inner peripheral circumference a circular groove containing a sealing gasket and having a circular concave depression disposed preferably in a central portion of the panel, wherein there is formed a central hole and wherein in a lateral portion or sector of this circular depressed area is applied a film of high-adherence varnish, being furthermore filled up with an adherent thermoplastic and melting material-former of the seal that penetrates in the hole, forming a short vertical rod, which does not extravasate the hole and remains with its end close and at the same plane of the internal and inferior surface of the panel of the lid without forcing any portion or residue of the material in the inferior part of the hole and further wherein, the film of high-adherence varnish, applied in a lateral part or sector of the circular depression, allows the partial retention o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Metalgrafica Rojek Ltda.
    Inventor: Arnaldo Rojek
  • Patent number: 5833088
    Abstract: A closure cap for sealing containers without gas bubbles displaces some of the contents of the container when fitted onto the neck of the container and at the same time allows any trapped gas to escape through one or more vents before the closure cap engages in the closure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim KG
    Inventors: Heinrich Kladders, Bernhard Freund, Wulf Bachtler, Joachim Jaeger, Joachim Eicher
  • Patent number: 5829623
    Abstract: An easily openable can lid wherein buckling parts are provided nearby a peripheral groove formed on the can lid in a range of 25 to 65 degrees from the center of the top plate from a line between the tip end of the openable member and the center of the top plate in all sector segments formed when the can lid is divided into four sector segments by a line between an extreme end of the openable member and the center of the top plate and a line which passes through the center of the top plate and orthogonally intersects the above described line. A reinforcing part with a reinforcing effect smaller than a buckling effect is provided at a coupling part between the top plate and the peripheral groove or near said coupling part except for the buckling part at an opposite side of the openable member and its neighborhood to provide a difference of strength between the buckling part at the openable member side and the buckling part at an opposite side of the openable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Otsuka, Hiroyuki Terasawa, Shigeaki Yamanashi, Ichio Otsuka, Sunao Morishita
  • Patent number: 5829624
    Abstract: A container securing system is provided for a round container having an upper rounded rim and an open end and a cover receivable on the open end, the cover having a rounded lip. A locking ring formed of a rounded strip is provided engaging the lip and rim around the periphery of the container when the cover is on the container, the locking ring having first and second ends with a gap therebetween. The locking ring has a securement system for pulling the first and second ends of the locking ring toward each other when the locking ring secures the cover to the container. A protective shoe formed of a curved metal strip material is positioned in the gap of the locking ring when the locking ring is securing thc cover on the container. The protective shoe has a length in a peripheral direction around the drum which is greater than a length of the gap so that end portions of the strip overlap with portions of the ends of the locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Skolnik Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Z. Skolnik, Ilya Solyar
  • Patent number: 5829613
    Abstract: A container closure system comprising a threaded cap and a threaded neck wherein the cap is affixed to the neck by direct axial application so that the mating threads slip past one another and into engagement. The cap further includes sealing means to capture and constrict the outer diameter of the neck, and valve means to plug the container opening in the neck and expand the outer diameter of the neck, so that the sealing means and valve means cooperate to improve sealing of the cap and neck. The cap and neck further include tamper-indication means to prevent removal of the cap without activation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Superseal Corporation
    Inventors: Emanuel Erick Wohlgemuth, Charles Hogan
  • Patent number: 5829607
    Abstract: A double ended bottle having two narrow necks at opposed ends of the bottle. Sloped shoulders provide gentle transition between each neck and the full width of the body of the bottle. The bottle is internally open and unobstructed so that a common chamber extends from one opening to the other. Each neck has a threaded cap having two features for sealing against leaks past the cap. In one feature, an internal projection formed in each cap plugs the neck of the bottle. In an alternative embodiment, the neck has a separate adaptor or insert for reducing throat diameter. If this is provided, the projection is accordingly sized. Both the projection and the throat of the insert are beveled for centering the projection within the bore of the insert. The second sealing feature includes an external flange formed on each neck between the threads and the body of the bottle, and a corresponding groove formed in the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Moheb M. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 5819967
    Abstract: A child-resistant, elderly-accessible safety container designed for storage of potentially hazardous materials. The closure includes three major components: a rotatable member secured coaxially around the neck of the container and having at least one biasing member disposed along its upper surface, at least one resilient abutment member, extending outward from the neck and terminating in a tip end, and is capable of being distended or compressed by the biasing member, and a closure member having at least one closure member stop disposed along its inner surface. Turning the rotatable member in a predetermined direction causes the biasing member to contact and compress the abutment member tangentially in relation to the outer surface of the neck. Such compression interrupts contact of the tip end of the abutment member with the closure member stop allowing the closure member to be rotated in the opposite direction and removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Pfizer Inc.
    Inventor: Julian B. Lo
  • Patent number: 5819968
    Abstract: A medication container has a tubular container body having an open upper end, and a cap detachably securable to the upper end of the container body by clockwise rotation relative thereto. The cap and the container body have mutually engageable stops preventing anti-clockwise opening rotation of the cap relative to the container body when the cap is in an upper position relative to the container body. A cap liner of resilient material is located within the cap and has a peripheral portion engageable with the upper end of the container body to close the upper end, the cap liner also having a central button portion projecting upwardly through a central aperture in the cap for manual engagement by a person wishing to open the container. The cap has a downward extending wall adjacent the aperture and engaged by the cap liner to maintain the cap in the upper position relative to the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: William Thomas Jones
  • Patent number: 5819969
    Abstract: A tamper-evidencing lid assembly comprises a cap (10) adapted to be threadingly engaged upon the neck of a bottle (15). The cap has rotatably mounted thereon a shell (11) being sized and shaped to cover the cap to a sufficient extent to prevent a user from turning the cap with respect to the receptacle whilst the shell (11) is in place. The shell (11) further includes a hub (12) frangible therefrom by means of bridges (13).In order to gain access to the cap (10) so as to rotate it, the shell is lifted and removed by breaking the bridges (13). Once the shell is removed, it is clearly evident that the assembly has been tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Michael Kalodye
  • Patent number: 5816429
    Abstract: An upper panel has a shearing line including a shear-start portion, linear portions extending from opposite ends of the shear-start portion in an equal length, and an arced portion connecting leading edges of the linear portion. The upper panel also has foldable lines and ribs on the upper panel, each of the foldable lines being located at a position inner to and in parallel to each of the linear portions, and each of the ribs extending in parallel with each of the foldable lines. A pull tab has a fixing portion fixed to a portion of the upper panel inner to the shear-start portion. The pull tab has a pressing portion extending out the shearing line so as to press a portion of the upper panel located outside of the shear-start portion when a raising portion of the pull tab is raised. When the pull tab is raised for opening operation, each of the linear portions of a part detached from the upper panel has a sheared edge curled toward the inside of a container, providing safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Tadao Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5816421
    Abstract: A closure cap includes a top wall with recesses therein wherein the recesses have an unpleasant tasting material therein to discourage infants and small children from placing the closure caps in their mouths and biting down on the caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Rexam Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Clodfelter, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5816428
    Abstract: To provide a can-lid with pop-out-spout, a folded, plastic spout is secured on the underside of a metal can-lid, which is conventionally roll-seamed onto the can-body. This is achieved either by gluing, or by plastic-coating the underside of the lid and heat-sealing the spout to the lid, or by incorporating the tips of the spout's flange in the roll-seamed joint of the can-lid, or other appropriate means. When the can is opened, the spout is released and either unfolds automatically due to the beverage's pressure (in case of carbonated beverages), or can be pulled out by the user. The spout is provided wither with a screw-closure, or with a twist-off, flick-open closure. In one version, the spout is completely covered by the can-lid, which is provided by an opening feature which enables an opening large enough for the spout to pass out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: George Plester
  • Patent number: 5813564
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cover structure for an airtight container and mainly includes a convex round top plate having a downward projected bottom flange around an outer periphery thereof, a middle annular member defining a central opening and having an upward projected wall around the central opening for fitly abutting on an inner surface of the bottom flange of the top plate, a round box defining an upward open space for positioning desiccative packages therein and having equally spaced vents formed on a bottom thereof, and an elastic silicone seal ring put beneath the middle annular member and around the desiccative box. The upward projected wall of the middle annular member is provided along an inner surface with equally spaced guide ways each of which has a retaining block located at a lower middle point thereof. The desiccative box is provided along its upper outer periphery with radially outward projection corresponding to the guide ways on the middle annular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Yi-Wen Luo
  • Patent number: 5813563
    Abstract: A promotional closure includes an outer closure cap, and a removable inner promotion compartment for receiving an associated promotional element such as a coupon, game piece, currency, or the like. The promotion compartment has a generally cup-shaped configuration, including a circular bottom wall, and an upstanding generally cylindrical side wall. An annular flange extends generally outwardly from the side wall, and includes a detachable portion whereby the annular flange can act as a pull-ring or finger grip to facilitate opening or splitting of the side wall of the compartment. The annular flange is preferably connected to a hingedly detachable section of the side wall which can be pulled open by manipulation of the flange to facilitate access to the contents of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted W. Boehm, David E. Babcock, Hugh C. Urmston, Daniel J. Denman, Joseph M. Ladina
  • Patent number: 5810190
    Abstract: A plastic bung seal forming two separate seals with the plug and collar of a receptacle. The bung seal allows ready detection of unauthorized access to the contents of the receptacle, since the double seal prevents its removal without visually perceptible destruction of the bung seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Atlanta Polyseal Ltd.
    Inventor: William G. Welch
  • Patent number: 5810497
    Abstract: In a screw cap reservoir, in particular for a cosmetic such as nail enamel, comprising a neck having an external thread on which to screw the internal thread of the screw cap, an encircling shoulder being formed on the neck in the portion below the external thread, this shoulder having at least one stop in the form of a projection which, extending over a certain angle at circumference, projects upwards from the annular shoulder, and stop recesses being provided on the lower edge of the screw cap, which cooperate with the stop projections and which snap-engage with the stop projections when the screw cap is screwed on so that the screw cap is arrested in a defined final position by resistance to return motion, it is provided, with a view to achieving a defined closing condition accompanied by a pronounced click effect, that in a portion approximately above each stop recess, the peripheral surface of the screw cap is provided with a recess tapering the wall thickness or breaching the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: georg karl geka-brush GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Bachmann, Norbert Dumler, Werner Fischer, Dieter Wolfsgruber
  • Patent number: 5810197
    Abstract: The disclosure describes the combination of a plastic container and of a plastic lid which are adapted to be hermetically sealed to one another. The lid defines a tab that projects outwardly and includes a tangentially extending indentation that separates the tab into an inner portion and an outer portion. The indentation forms a hinge so that upward forces exerted accidentally on the tab causes only the outer portion of the tab to pivot about the indentation thereby preventing the inner tab portion from lifting and detaching the hermetically sealed lid portion from the container. The hinge also serves to enable the tab to be placed in a downwards pivoted position where it is fixedly attached to the container side wall prior to being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Ivonis Mazzarolo
  • Patent number: 5806697
    Abstract: A fitment removal prevention device for insertion within a container having a rigid mouth portion. The device has a body portion and an incompressible member movable with respect to the body portion and biased from a first position, in which the device is insertable into the container, to a second position, in which the incompressible member engages the container and exerts a force on the mouth portion of the container in a first direction having a component transverse to the direction of extraction of the device from the container. Upon attempted extraction of the fitment removal prevention device from the container, the incompressible member exerts an increased force on the mouth portion of the container in the first direction, thereby retaining the device in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: United Distillers PLC
    Inventors: Richard Paul Harbutt, Alexander Speirs Laurie, Peter Thomas Mence Nott, David Christopher Snow
  • Patent number: 5806710
    Abstract: This invention provides a container and closure lid particularly suitable for packaging semi-solids and liquids which are to be frozen. The closure lid fits entirely into the mouth of the container, providing no easy method of removal absent use of a pull tab which incorporates a tamper-evident frangible pin. The closure lid incorporates a generally flat sided seal skirt which mates with a U-shaped seal channel on the container inner wall surface to prevent leakage past the seal skirt and a locking ridge having a flat top which mates with a locking ledge face on the container inner wall surface adjacent the container mouth. The seal skirt snaps under and is covered by the locking ledge to provide no purchase along the lid edge. The container seal channel not only provides part of the sealing mechanism of the invention but also prevents translation of the lid toward the container bottom while the container locking ledge prevents translation of the lid toward the container mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventors: David A. Shiffer, David O. Allen