Patents Examined by Robin Hylton
  • Patent number: 7588155
    Abstract: A beverage container closure includes a cap and a monolithic cap liner having concentric first and second seal rings coupled to the cap. The concentric first and second seal rings are adapted to mate with an annular rim provided on the neck of a beverage container and formed to include an open mouth to allow liquids to flow through the neck into and out of the beverage container. At least one of the seal rings is splayed relative to the annular rim during installation of the cap on the container neck to form a seal between the cap and the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Charles L. Williams
  • Patent number: 7581652
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure includes a plastic shell having a base wall with an annular skirt, at least one internal thread segment on the skirt, a tamper band frangibly connected to the skirt, and a circumferential array of angularly spaced flexible resilient ratchet wings extending counterclockwise from an inner surface of the tamper band at an angle to the inner surface. A flexible resilient sealing liner on the base wall within the skirt has a conical sealing surface that faces radially outwardly toward the skirt and axially away from the base wall. The conical sealing surface is resiliently engageable with a trim flange of a container to which the closure is applicable so that the tamper band separates from the annular skirt before loss of sealing engagement between the liner and the trim flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Rexam Closure Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Flak, Jr., James L. Gregory, Ramsey J. Haylett, Thomas A. Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 7581653
    Abstract: A threadless cap for closing a potable liquid bottle is provided. The potable liquid bottle has a neck with an upper edge defining a discharge opening. The threadless cap comprises a lid for overlying and sealingly engaging the upper edge of the neck. The lid includes a tension ring for retaining the cap on the neck of the bottle, the tension ring having an inwardly extending rib for engaging the neck of the bottle. The threadless cap also comprises a skirt depending from the lid, the skirt including a line of weakness facilitating a manual tear of the skirt. The threadless cap further comprises a tear stop at a location intersecting a line of tear propagating as a result of a manual pull applied on the skirt, the tear stop preventing the line of tear to propagate beyond the tear stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Crealise Packaging-Conditionnement Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Perrin, Henri Pionchon
  • Patent number: 7578405
    Abstract: A fuel cap of the invention has a pressure regulating valve, which includes a positive pressure valve and a negative pressure valve. The positive pressure valve has a positive pressure valve plug and a first spring. The negative pressure valve has a negative pressure valve plug and a second spring. A ring-shaped projection is protruded outward from the upper circumferential end of the negative pressure valve plug to face a first valve flow path, and functions as a restriction member. The restriction member narrows the passage area of the first valve flow path in a closed position of the negative pressure valve plug, while widening the passage area of the first valve flow path in an open position of the positive pressure valve plug where the negative pressure valve plug moves integrally with the positive pressure valve plug. This arrangement effectively improves the flow characteristics of the pressure regulating valve in the open position of the positive pressure valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagano
  • Patent number: 7575124
    Abstract: A fuel cap includes a cap member, a screw member having a cylindrical body, a thread and a rib, and a gasket. The rib has at least one recess in the vicinity of the end part of the thread on the screw member in such manner that the space is provided that allows the screw member to be screwed tightly without causing interference between the rib and the filler neck thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nakai, Syouichi Hokazono
  • Patent number: 7571826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible child resistant cap and a closure system having two positions, the first being a child resistant position and the other being a non-child resistant position. The cap is characterized in that it has a closure plane, a circumferential outer skirt for engaging a container, and a circumferential resilient depending inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Tri State Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Miceli, Joseph A. Miceli
  • Patent number: 7571830
    Abstract: A beverage shaker (10) consists of an insulated container (20) which is configured to hold the ingredients for protein supplement drinks. The shaker permits manual mixing by shaking to and fro and retains any large pieces of the remaining ice within the container. The shaker has a removable top member (32) that is attached to the container which includes a smooth peripheral lip (26) surrounding the container suitable for drinking. A strainer (50) is supported internally by the top member and is configured for holding back large sized pieces of ice. A lid (60) internally interfaces with the top member in a leak proof manner permitting protein supplement drink ingredients to be mixed and consumed directly from the shaker when the lid is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Shin-Shuoh Lin
  • Patent number: 7568585
    Abstract: A unitary capseal for a closure that is installed in a container includes an annular sidewall, a generally circular top panel joined to the sidewall, a snap-on annular rim formed adjacent a lower edge of the sidewall, and an annular sealing lip formed adjacent the annular rim. The cooperating closure includes a serrated flange, a closing plug for threaded receipt by the flange, and a sealing gasket positioned therewith. The container end is formed around the flange interlocking with the flange serrations and creating an outer annular channel that receives the annular rim for a snap-on assembly of the capseal to the container end that in turn positions the capseal over and around the closure. The sealing lip extends radially outwardly from the sidewall and includes a concave surface facing the container end for sealing off the interior portions of the closure from collecting debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Baughman, Robert D. Rohr
  • Patent number: 7568590
    Abstract: A container provides sealed storage for contents. The container includes a composite top member formed of a panel and a frame. The panel includes an opening for providing access to the contents of the package. The frame includes a closure member that is molded in an open position, and which can be moved to a closed position for closing the opening in the panel. The container is formed of a container body in the form of a tubular member formed to a desired shape. The container body is closed using the top member that closes a top opening of the container body, and a bottom member that closes a bottom opening of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Arrow Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Gross, Dieter F. Lay, Robert W. Fox
  • Patent number: 7556173
    Abstract: The container assembly includes a container and a deformable lid. The container has a wall that extends between a base and an open end and includes a fulcrum. The deformable lid includes a mounting portion, a depressible portion, and a dispensing portion. The deformable lid is mounted on the container to enclose the open end. The mounting portion is joined to the depressible portion at a first hinge and the dispensing portion is joined to the depressible portion at a second hinge. When the depressible portion is depressed toward the base, the first hinge permits the depressible portion to collapse into the container, the second hinge permits the dispensing portion to slide upon the fulcrum, and the fulcrum biases a forward portion of the dispensing portion away from the base such that the forward portion protrudes from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: J.L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventor: George Solowiejko
  • Patent number: 7556163
    Abstract: A lightened, molded plastic closure exhibiting enhanced strength includes a top wall portion, and an internally threaded, depending annular skirt portion. The interior surface of the skirt portion, below the closure thread, defines an array of alternating grooves and lands, which together define a plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertically extending strengthening ribs on the inside surface of the skirt portion. The skirt portion thus exhibits desirably enhanced column strength, thereby facilitating efficient formation by “stripping” from an associated core pin during molding. In the preferred form, the exterior surface of the skirt portion is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced gripping knurls respectively aligned with the grooves defined at the interior surface of the skirt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Brant
  • Patent number: 7556168
    Abstract: A can end member has a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, and a transition wall. The center panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The center panel also has a step portion located radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis. The step portion has an annular convex portion joined to an annular concave portion and displaces at least a portion of the center panel vertically in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuck wall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the peripheral edge of the center panel. The transition wall comprises a folded portion. The folded portion has a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg. The first leg is directly connected to the chuck wall and joined to the second leg by a concave annular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy L. Turner, Randall G. Forrest, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Michael R. Gogola
  • Patent number: 7552832
    Abstract: A closure cap system is provided, including a closure cap which is preferably produced according to a plastic injection molding method and provided with a closure stopper which can be placed on a neck opening which is also preferably made of plastic, said neck opening being that of a bottle container. The closure cap is provided with a bottom and the closure stopper is formed on the inner side of the cap bottom opposite the neck opening. In order to create a functionally secure stopper, said closure stopper is arranged on a plane in a parallel position with regard to the cap bottom such that it can pivot in relation thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Alpla-Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Udo Suffa
  • Patent number: 7543715
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel cap comprises a casing body for opening/closing a filler opening of a filler neck communicating with a fuel tank; and a lid that is equipped at an upper portion of the casing body and is formed of a conductive material, and the vehicle fuel cap forms a discharge portion in the lid for discharging static charge in the lid to the filler neck, wherein the discharge portion comprises a projection form provided on an inner peripheral face of the lid opposite to an outer peripheral edge of the filler opening, and on the inner peripheral face a longitudinal groove is formed at both sides of the discharge portion and along an axial direction of the casing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Hokazono, Yoshinobu Terada, Kazuhisa Ishida
  • Patent number: 7537137
    Abstract: A substantially moisture tight container and lid assembly for storing and packaging moisture-sensitive items comprising an assembly with a container and a lid, the lid is attached by a hinge to an upper housing portion of the container, the lid includes a lip seal member that extends downwardly from the lid, the lip seal member is configured to abut at least a portion of the interior side of the container when the lid is in the closed position resulting in a substantially moisture tight seal between the lid and the lid, and the container assembly further comprising a base portion and an upper housing portion, the upper housing portion is capable of being snap-fit into the base portion by employing a lip seal mechanism to form a substantially moisture-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Giraud
  • Patent number: 7524230
    Abstract: A container has a container body that has an inner chamber, a bottom wall, a top wall, a opening provided in the top wall, and a tube extending from the opening into the inner chamber to provide communication between the inner chamber and the exterior of the container body. The opening can be curved, the tube can have a curved cross-section, and the tube can be positioned offset from the center of the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Arko Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas Thai
  • Patent number: 7520401
    Abstract: A cap, in particular a tank cap, has a handle part for manipulating the cap upon screwing into and out of a neck, and has an engagement part for engagement of the cap in the neck. The handle part and engagement part are connected via a detent device that is embodied in such a way that in the screwing-in direction, after a detent resistance is overcome it allows the handle part to continue rotating out of a detent position relative to the engagement part with decreased rotation resistance. The detent device comprises only a single detent position; and a stop is provided for limiting the rotation angle of the handle part after the detent resistance is overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Tesma Europa GmbH
    Inventor: Konred H. Scherrer
  • Patent number: 7516867
    Abstract: A fuel cap has a cap main body, a cover with a handle, and a torque mechanism. The torque mechanism includes a torque transmission unit and click units. When the handle is rotated in a closing direction, torque is transmitted to a cantilever spring of the torque mechanism. The cantilever spring is deformed by rotation of the cover in the closing direction. After the spring is deformed by a predetermined amount, in response to rotation of the cover with respect to the cap main body by at least a preset angle, the click units make a click sound. When the user releases the handle, the spring force of the cantilever spring restores the click units to their initial positions. The cap device has a torque mechanism that has a simple structure and consists of a small number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagano
  • Patent number: 7517150
    Abstract: A bag including two generally parallel sheets forming the main walls of the bag, complementary closure strips fixed to respective ones of the sheets, and a cursor for actuating the strips for closing and opening purposes. The bag further includes, parallel to the closure strips, between the sheets, and level with the mouth of the bag, additional structure in relief disposed on the insides of the closure strips, designed to provide sealing by forming a barrier between the sheets in the closed position of the bag, the additional structure in relief being placed facing the flanks of the cursor to be urged towards their sealing position by the cursor when the cursor is moved towards the sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: S2F Flexico
    Inventor: Henri Bois
  • Patent number: 7510328
    Abstract: A reclosable package comprises a receptacle having a mouth, a header that encloses a space above the mouth, and a slider-zipper assembly disposed in the mouth, the slider-zipper assembly comprising a slider mounted to a zipper. The header has a tear-away portion and respective remaining portions that flank at least a portion of the slider. A pull tab is coupled to and rotatable relative to the slider and projects above the upper edges of the remaining portions of the header. This arrangement enables the user to move the slider by grasping the pull tab. The user need not reach into the space between the remaining portions of the header to grasp the slider itself. In one embodiment, the pull tab is coupled to the sidewalls of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Schneider, Steven Ausnit