Patents by Inventor Clayton L. Robinson

Clayton L. Robinson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8650839
    Abstract: A closure having a device for lifting a liner from a container opening. The lifting device being a finger projecting from a hinge connection within the closure. The hinge connection is positioned from a depending skirt of the closure. The hinged finger disengages the liner from a sealing engagement with the container while engaging along substantially the same annulus spaced from the liner edge. A plurality of the hinged fingers may be used for the lifting device. The closure may be used in various retort and aseptic applications, as well as provide for tamper indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Clayton L. Robinson, Randall G. Bush, William J. Shankland, Kiran M. D'Silva, Louis John Marsella, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 8251236
    Abstract: A closure having a device for lifting a liner from a container opening. The lifting device being a finger projecting from a hinge connection within the closure. The hinge connection is positioned from a depending skirt of the closure. The hinged finger disengages the liner from a sealing engagement with the container while engaging along substantially the same annulus spaced from the liner edge. A plurality of the hinged fingers may be used for the lifting device. The closure may be used in various retort and aseptic applications, as well as provide for tamper indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Clayton L. Robinson, Randall G. Bush, William J. Shankland, Kiran M. D'Silva, Louis John Marsella, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 7766178
    Abstract: A closure for maintaining pressure against a seal affixed to a container lip during a thermal sterilization process includes a top wall and an annular skirt depending from said top wall, at least one retaining structure extending from the annular skirt, a reseal structure rotatably disposed above said retaining structure and adjacent said top wall, an inner seal rotatably disposed above the retaining structure and beneath a lower surface of said reseal structure, wherein said inner seal and said reseal structure are both rotatable relative to said closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton L. Robinson, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 7431168
    Abstract: The present development is for a closure which provides a liner for abutting a surface and maintaining an effective pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip as the sealed container is exposed to relatively high temperature and pressure conditions. The liner which abuts a surface of the seal sandwiches the seal between the liner and the container lip. The liner defines a resting thickness at ambient temperature and pressure conditions and is made from a material capable of being compressed to a thickness less than the resting thickness and of recovering to a recovery thickness sufficient to allow the liner to maintain a positive pressure against the seal upon exposure to elevated temperatures, elevated pressure, or a combination of elevated temperature and elevated pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton L. Robinson, Douglas M. Williams, Randall K. Julian, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 7168581
    Abstract: The present development is for a closure which provides a means for maintaining an effective pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip as the sealed container is exposed to relatively high temperature and pressure conditions. The closure includes a liner which abuts a surface of the seal so as to sandwich the seal between the liner and the container lip. The resilient liner and inner foil seal are positioned above a retaining structure and function such that the peelable seal will not rotate relative to a container rim upon engaging the container rim as the closure is rotationally applied. This functions to inhibit torque transmission from the closure to the inner seal or reseal structure and further inhibits imperfections in the container rim from scraping or otherwise damaging the inner seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton L. Robinson, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6948630
    Abstract: A self-draining container neck and closure comprising a container neck having an upper sidewall portion and a lower sidewall portion, the upper sidewall portion being inset from the lower sidewall portion. The container neck also includes a tamper indicating bead having at least one draining notch therein. The instant invention also includes a closure having a plurality of drainage slots disposed in a spaced configuration. The closure is threadably connected to the container neck, the closure and container threads rotatably engage and provide a drainage path there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall K. Julian, Clayton L. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20040055992
    Abstract: The present development is for a closure which provides a means for maintaining an effective pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip as the sealed container is exposed to relatively high temperature and pressure conditions. The closure includes a liner which abuts a surface of the seal so as to sandwich the seal between the liner and the container lip. The resilient liner and inner foil seal are positioned above a retaining structure and function such that the peelable seal will not rotate relative to a container rim upon engaging the container rim as the closure is rotationally applied. This functions to inhibit torque transmission from the closure to the inner seal or reseal structure and further inhibits imperfections in the container rim from scraping or otherwise damaging the inner seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Clayton L. Robinson, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20030116524
    Abstract: The present development is for a closure which provides a means for maintaining an effective pressure against a peelable seal affixed to a container lip as the sealed container is exposed to relatively high temperature and pressure conditions. The closure includes a liner which abuts a surface of the seal so as to sandwich the seal between the liner and the container lip. The liner defines a resting thickness at ambient temperature and pressure conditions and is made from a material capable of being compressed to a thickness less than the resting thickness and of recovering to a recovery thickness sufficient to allow the liner to maintain a positive pressure against the seal upon exposure to elevated temperatures, elevated pressure, or a combination of elevated temperature and elevated pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton L. Robinson, Douglas M. Williams, Randall K. Julian, Gary V. Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20030116522
    Abstract: A self-draining container neck and closure comprising a container neck having an upper sidewall portion and a lower sidewall portion, the upper sidewall portion being inset from the lower sidewall portion. The container neck also includes a tamper indicating bead having at least one draining notch therein. The instant invention also includes a closure having a plurality of drainage slots disposed in a spaced configuration. The closure is threadably connected to the container neck, the closure and container threads rotatably engage and provide a drainage path there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Randall K. Julian, Clayton L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5988412
    Abstract: A cap having a top wall and at least one circumferentially extending sidewall having an inner surface with internal threads therealong and a terminating bottom edge of the sidewall defining an open end opposite to the top wall. The terminating edge is provided with an inwardly extending locking lug for engaging with an outwardly extending tab on a threadable neck of a container. The cap may be of double wall construction with an outer wall and an inner wall spaced therefrom wherein the threadable connections for the neck of a container are on the inner surface of the inner wall and the locking lug is on the terminating edge of the outer wall. A window is also provided along the terminating edge of the outer wall, the window being in visible alignment with the locking tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Rexam Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Minnette, Clayton L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5873493
    Abstract: A closure providing a side wall having first and second distal ends, an inner surface and an outer perimeter. A cone-shaped divider projects inwardly and upwardly from a lower perimeter of the side wall and includes a drain-back orifice therethrough. The cone-shaped divider further includes an apex having an opening therethrough. The closure further provides a lid pivotally attached at an outer diameter thereof to the outer perimeter of the side wall first distal end by an integral hinge. The lid includes a shaped substantially conforming to the side wall perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Rexam Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5782383
    Abstract: A dispensing closure for a sealed enteral fluid container includes a threaded cap with a central air inlet in the cap top covered by a hydrophobic/oleophobic air filter and an offset opening for a spike with an outwardly extending tubular spike guide. A resilient liner serves as a primary gasket seal between the cap top and the container neck lip and also seals to the spike during use while allowing air flow from the air inlet and filter along the spike into the container as enteral fluid is being withdrawn through the spike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Rexan Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5551582
    Abstract: A child resistant, snap on, twist off closure container package which is open by squeezing and deflecting diametrically opposed side portions of the closure to bring cam followers into engagement which cams on the container so that subsequent turning causes axial displacement and opening movement of the closure from the container. Guide members prevent deforming of the closure to maintain sealing surfaces and adjoining surfaces of the closure and container in alignment with each other and prevent distortion on to expose surfaces which can be gripped by the fingers or teeth in an effort to open the closure and container in a manner other than the intended method of squeezing and twisting of the closure relative to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Rexam Closures
    Inventor: Clayton L. Robinson
  • Patent number: H2203
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
    Inventors: Ronald E. Borchardt, Jeffrey C. Minnette, Clayton L. Robinson, Randall K. Julian