Patents Examined by Robin Hylton
  • Patent number: 8210376
    Abstract: A child-resistant package includes a plastic container having a blow-molded neck finish with an end, at least one external thread, an arcuate part-circumferential ledge adjacent to the neck finish and a plurality of angularly spaced ratchet teeth on the ledge. A closure has at least one skirt, at least one internal thread on the skirt, at least one flexible resilient ratchet finger extending radially inwardly from the skirt at an angle to the skirt, and a seal element within the skirt for sealing engagement with the end of the container neck finish. Threading of the closure onto the container neck finish brings the ratchet finger into engagement with the ratchet teeth. The array of ratchet teeth and the seal element are such as to accommodate tolerance variations in the blow-molded neck finish while maintaining a seal and child-resistance capability at the neck finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Philip J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8196763
    Abstract: A beverage container having a mouth includes a straw holder having a straw support portion dimensioned for placement across the mouth of the container and comprising an aperture designed to receive a straw therethrough and support the straw with respect to the straw support portion. A first retaining portion of the straw holder is connected to the straw support portion and connected or connectable to the container. The straw support portion being movably arranged on the first connecting portion for moving from a first position to a second position relative to the first retaining portion. The aperture for receiving the straw is aligned with the mouth of the container when the first connecting portion is in a connected position on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Greenberg Surgical Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alex M. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8181817
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a raised container lid bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Mighty Leaf Tea
    Inventors: Jill Portman, Gary Shinner, Michael Barry
  • Patent number: 8181802
    Abstract: A closure device includes a base (1) and a top (23). The base (1) has an aperture (13) and the top (23) has an aperture (27). The top (23) is movable laterally relative to the base (1) between a first position in which the aperture (13) of the base and the aperture (27) of the top are not in alignment and a second position in which the apertures are in alignment. Biasing spring (22, 43) is provided with in the top so as to extend laterally between the base and the top with a free end of the biasing spring urging the top towards the first position in which the apertures (13, 27) are not in alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Kul Bhushan Kaushal
  • Patent number: 8177084
    Abstract: A pressure-responsive container assembly and elastically-deformable penetrable cap is provided. Embodiments of the penetrable cap of the present invention include, but are not limited to: an annular sealing portion for engaging an inner surface of a container, a substantially rigid portion extending radially inward from the annular sealing portion; a flexible transition portion extending radially inward from the substantially rigid portion; and a penetrable portion extending radially inward from the transition portion for closing the opening defined by the container. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may thus allow the penetrable portion to elastically deform about the transition portion to a generally convex shape so as to exert a radially outward force that may be transmitted by the substantially rigid portion to the annular sealing portion so as to reinforce a fluid-tight seal between the annular sealing portion and the inner surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: TriPath Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Fox, Charles Leo Carrico, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8167156
    Abstract: The convertible child-resistant vial includes a container having an aperture and a peripheral wall and being provided with a first connection element in the form of contiguous locking and freeing housings provided in a collar extending from the peripheral wall; and a cap hingedly mounted to the container integrally thereof and including a second connection element for cooperating with the first connection element to close the vial in a child safe-manner. The second connection element is in the form of a tooth which is easily removable to convert the child-resistant vial into a non-child-resistant vial. The vial can be molded in a one piece body. The integral mounting of the cap to the container allows easing the distribution and handling of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolopharm Inc.
    Inventor: GaƩtan Milante
  • Patent number: 8157115
    Abstract: A child-resistant cap comprises: an inner cap mounted at a vessel inlet of a vessel; an outer cap disposed at an outer circumferential surface of the inner cap so as to perform an idling with the inner cap; a rotation force transmitting portion disposed between the inner cap and the outer cap for transmitting a rotation force of the outer cap to the inner cap only when the outer cap is downwardly moved with a force more than a certain degree; and a sealing member removing unit formed at the inner cap for removing a sealing member sealed at the vessel inlet when the inner cap is detached from the vessel inlet, and storing the removed sealing member in the inner cap. Since the sealing member removing unit is integrally formed at the cap, the sealing member is automatically removed at the time of opening the cap. Accordingly, the sealing member needs not to be additionally removed, and thus a usage convenience is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Hee Kwon Rho
  • Patent number: 8146765
    Abstract: A sealing cover includes a cover coupling with a seal ring which has two blades to form a double sealing effect. Thus a container can be sealed by the cover more securely and the opening of the container can be maintained intact. The cover also has a coupling opening and a plurality of air vents. The coupling opening is coupled with an air permeable parasol valve which can release air to facilitate capping of the cover on the opening of the container. Through an air suction means the container can be vacuumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Idearite Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8123064
    Abstract: A container which indicates if the lid (14) has been opened after a clerk loaded food into the base (12) and closed the lid. The base and lid each has a trapping portion (20, 22) and a pull-open portion (24, 32) with a tear-tab, or tear -open barrier (80). To close the lid, a clerk projects a tab (30) on the pull-open portion of the lid through a slot (26) in the pull-open portion of the base, and then presses down the entire trapping portion of the lid into the trapping portion of the base. The lid cannot be lifted up because the tear-open barrier (80) forming the top wall of the slot lies over the tab. To open the container, a person tears the barrier (80, FIG. 8) along a tear line (90, 92) extending from the slot (26) to the outer edge (50) of the base, or the person tears the tab to leave a short tab part that clears the barrier. The tab has a partially vertical stiffener (77) to prevent radially inward tab movement through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: PWP Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Vovan
  • Patent number: 8123058
    Abstract: A closure having a stopping mechanism whereby a stop lug is positionable between a flexed and unflexed position relative to a spring gap. The stop lug may project from a skirt of the closure top wall. The spring gap is positioned adjacent the stop lug to provide an area for the stop lug to travel when outside forces are applied to the stop lug and subsequently return back to the unflexed position. The stop lug may have a substantially vertical support rib in combination with a plurality of annularly spaced ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Rexam Healthcare Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Brozell, Kiran M. D'Silva, C. Edward Luker, J. Nathan Marret, John D. Mitchell, Mark K. Branson, Clifton C. Willis
  • Patent number: 8118185
    Abstract: A closure for a container comprises a circular closure plate (2, 4), integral with the outer edge of which is a depending skirt (8), integrally connected to the lower end of which by means of a resilient annular integral hinge (10) is an annular flange (12), which extends generally upwardly and inwardly. The closure also includes a cutter assembly which includes a cutting blade (38) and is mounted to rotate about the center of the closure plate (2, 4). The integral hinge (10) has a hole formed in it through which the cutting blade (38) extends. Rotation of the cutter assembly about the center of the closure plate thus results in cutting of the integral hinge (10) and thus in release of the closure plate (2, 4) and the depending skirt (8) from the annular flange (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Carbonite Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Smith, Karl Mondszein
  • Patent number: 8113366
    Abstract: A maze type package that includes a cylindrical container member that has a plurality of mazes thereon is disclosed. The package includes a coaxial closure member that employs studs for engaging the mazes and to releasably secure the closure to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: MazeTech, LLC
    Inventors: Randall F. House, Barry A. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 8113373
    Abstract: A vessel includes a containing body, an upper cover, a thing holding member, and a bottom cover; the containing body has an upper opening; the upper cover is threadedly joined on the containing body to cover the opening; the upper cover has a drink outlet, and a moving cap is pivoted on the upper cover to seal the drink outlet; the upper cover further has several bores so that drinks can flow out of the containing body through the drink outlet easily; the thing holding member is securely joined on the containing body, and has several hollow holding portions on an inner circumferential side to contain drink materials such as tea bags and sugar bags; the bottom cover is joined on a lower end of the thing holding member to close the hollow holding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Woodmax Ky Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Chang-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 8109404
    Abstract: A tamper evident cap adapted to close an opening on a vessel includes a main body having an outer circumference, a pull tab extending from the main body, and a flange, forms an annulus around the main body and connected to the main body. The flange includes an outer circumference that is larger than the outer circumference of the main body. It is essential to the present invention that the flange is made of a very thin layer of material. In addition, the flange includes at least a pair of perforation lines. Further, the present invention includes a bump in the pull-tab for enabling a person grasping the pull-tab, to obtain a firmer hold thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Snap Seals, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Chmela
  • Patent number: 8109403
    Abstract: A cover assembly adapted to be fitted over the open top of a bin includes a pair of spaced apart, domed rigid hoods releasably attachable to upper portions of the hopper whereby an elongated opening is defined between the hoods of sufficient width as to provide access to the hopper. A flexible closure member spans the opening between the hoods while supported on trackways extending along marginal edge portions of the hoods which bound the elongated opening. A pair of rotatable rollers are attachable, one at each of the opposing end portions of the opening. One roller is spring-loaded, upon and from which roller the closure member is wound and unwound during travel of said closure member over the elongated opening. The other roller is connected by pull cables to the closure member, and powered to provide for travel of the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Michel's Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Bud Michel
  • Patent number: 8087571
    Abstract: A pouring package for a fluid comprises a container (10) substantially impermeable to the fluid and having a pouring opening (11). The pouring opening is hermetically sealed by means of a breakable seal (30) in at least unopened state of the container. The container is provided with a pouring member (20) at the position of the pouring opening. Situated between a wall of the pouring member and the seal is a breaking member (21) which is awe and adapted to act on and break the seal when an external pressure is exerted on the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Weasy Pack International Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Gijsbert Paulen
  • Patent number: 8083095
    Abstract: An easily closable and open able container system includes a number of features which facilitate easy opening and closing while maintaining a high seal, which will give a feedback to the user to let the user know that a seal is formed. A circumferentially inwardly disposed angled groove is formed on the inside the opening of a container. A complementary angled projection is formed on the circumferentially outwardly disposed surface of the lid for fitting into the circumferentially inwardly disposed angled groove formed on the inside the opening of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Shye Worldwide, LLC, (CA Ltd Liability Co.)
    Inventor: Wang Hui
  • Patent number: 8079484
    Abstract: A combination of bottle and cap for dispensing a liquid. The bottle includes a narrow neck and a hollow handle. The hollow interior of the handle communicates at its upper and lower end with the interior of the body, to permit a flow of air through the neck opening, via the interior of the handle, to a lower region within the interior of the container so as to minimize glugging during pouring. The cap comprises a cap body attachable to the neck of the bottle. The cap includes on its crown first and second openings, for dispensing liquid and intake of air, respectively. The cap is configured to attach to the container body so as to position the second opening generally facing the handle, while the first opening is opposed to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Rwachsberg Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Wachsberg
  • Patent number: 8074821
    Abstract: A container assembly including a container and a cap disposed on the container. The cap is moveable between a closed condition and an open condition. The cap has two opposing side wall regions and an end region disposed between the two opposing side wall regions. At least one of the side wall regions has a container-engaging portion moveable between a closed position where the container-engaging portion engages the container to resist opening of the cap, and a second position where the container-engaging portion is disengaged from the container to allow opening of the cap. The end region of the cap is in a snap-fit relationship with the container. Also included is a cap having these features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Don F. Yeager
  • Patent number: 8074817
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering a liquid nutritional supplement is disclosed and provides a liquid dispenser having a body that contains a predetermined number of single dosages of the liquid nutritional supplement, a cap, such as a child resistant cap, coupled to a neck portion of the body, and a dosage cup coupled to the cap. The dosage cup has at least four axial shoulders on an inside surface thereof wherein each has an engaging surface adapted to engage axial ridges of the cap. The dosage cup is coupled to the cap such that a force that is greater, by a predetermined amount, than the weight of the dosage cup is required to remove the dosage cup from the cap. The dosage cup is provided with an indicator adapted to indicate one of the single dosages of the liquid nutritional supplement to be consumed by a user for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Remington Health Products, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William E. Steele, IV, Phillip D. Livingston, Clarence D. Zierhut