Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering a work part to an assembly line worker using a dolly assembly in a first configuration and retrieving the work part from the dolly assembly by the assembly line work while the dolly assembly is in a second configuration. According to some embodiments, a dolly assembly is provided comprising a base assembly having a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane. The dolly assembly also includes a part-carrying member rotationally connected to the support member and having a part-holding structure for receiving a work part. The part-carrying member extends downward at an angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration, and extends upward from at an angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.

Abstract: A closure is provided for a container having a body defining an opening and a chime around the opening extending radially outward from the container body. The closure includes a top panel having a periphery and a continuous circumferential skirt extending from the periphery and configured to define a gap between the skirt and the chime. The closure further includes a pair of latch elements defined in diametrically opposite portions of the skirt, each latch element including a lug projecting radially inward from the skirt to engage the under surface of the chime. The skirt is continuous across the pair of latch elements and is flexible so that pulling one of the portions of the skirt away from the container disengages the lug from the under surface of the chime and generate a hoop tension that reduces the gap at portions of the skirt adjacent the other latch element.

Abstract: A closure is provided for a container having a body defining an opening and a chime around the opening extending radially outward from the container body. The closure includes a top panel having a periphery and a continuous circumferential skirt extending from the periphery and configured to define a gap between the skirt and the chime. The closure further includes a pair of latch elements defined in diametrically opposite portions of the skirt, each latch element including a lug projecting radially inward from the skirt to engage the under surface of the chime. The skirt is continuous across the pair of latch elements and is flexible so that pulling one of the portions of the skirt away from the container disengages the lug from the under surface of the chime and generate a hoop tension that reduces the gap at portions of the skirt adjacent the other latch element.

Abstract: A container and closure assembly is provided that defines an opening and has a lip positioned around the opening. The lip defines an inner surface, an outer surface, and a top surface. The container and closure assembly also includes a closure to attach to the container. The closure includes a top portion, a first skirt extending from the top portion, and a second skirt extending from the top portion. The closure also includes a latch and a hinge connected to the latch. The latch includes an actuator extending from the connection location and a follower portion extending from the connection location. The follower portion of the latch includes a blocking structure. Movement of actuator causes movement of blocking structure. The latch is movable between a first position in which the blocking structure is positioned in contact with the lip and a second position in which the blocking structure is spaced from the lip.

Abstract: A lid arrangement for a container comprises a peripheral portion surrounding an integrally formed central portion. A first scored portion defines a boundary between the central portion and the peripheral portion. A second scored portion is also formed in the central portion. The second scored portion extends substantially parallel to the first scored portion and a strip is formed in the central portion between the first scored portion and the second scored portion. A tab member is connected to the strip of the central portion. The tab member includes a handle that protrudes from the upper surface of the central portion. When a threshold force pulls the handle of the tab member away from the central portion, the strip separates from the peripheral portion along the first scored portion.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a closure having (i) a top portion, and (ii) a latch member that includes an actuator portion and a follower portion, the follower portion including a blocking structure. The process includes providing a mold assembly that defines a space therein which corresponds to the closure, the mold assembly including (i) a first mold portion that defines a first subspace which corresponds to the actuator portion, and (ii) a second mold portion that defines a second subspace which corresponds to the blocking structure. The process further includes advancing a material into the space so as to form the closure. The process also includes moving the second mold portion in relation to the first mold portion after the advancing step so as to remove the actuator portion from the first subspace.

Abstract: A lid arrangement for a container comprises a peripheral portion surrounding an integrally formed central portion. A first scored portion defines a boundary between the central portion and the peripheral portion. A second scored portion is also formed in the central portion. The second scored portion extends substantially parallel to the first scored portion and a strip is formed in the central portion between the first scored portion and the second scored portion. A tab member is connected to the strip of the central portion. The tab member includes a handle that protrudes from the upper surface of the central portion. When a threshold force pulls the handle of the tab member away from the central portion, the strip separates from the peripheral portion along the first scored portion.

Abstract: A container and closure assembly is provided that defines an opening and has a lip positioned around the opening. The lip defines an inner surface, an outer surface, and a top surface. The container and closure assembly also includes a closure to attach to the container. The closure includes a top portion, a first skirt extending from the top portion, and a second skirt extending from the top portion. The closure also includes a latch and a hinge connected to the latch. The latch includes an actuator extending from the connection location and a follower portion extending from the connection location. The follower portion of the latch includes a blocking structure. Movement of actuator causes movement of blocking structure. The latch is movable between a first position in which the blocking structure is positioned in contact with the lip and a second position in which the blocking structure is spaced from the lip.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a closure having (i) a top portion, and (ii) a latch member that includes an actuator portion and a follower portion, the follower portion including a blocking structure. The process includes providing a mold assembly that defines a space therein which corresponds to the closure, the mold assembly including (i) a first mold portion that defines a first subspace which corresponds to the actuator portion, and (ii) a second mold portion that defines a second subspace which corresponds to the blocking structure. The process further includes advancing a material into the space so as to form the closure. The process also includes moving the second mold portion in relation to the first mold portion after the advancing step so as to remove the actuator portion from the first subspace.

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.

Abstract: A closure or plastic lid having a substantially circular configuration as well as an outer annular periphery is provided with concentrically located projection ribs on one side thereof as well as an outer skirt portion and an inner skirt portion extending axially in an opposite direction from a periphery of the plastic lid or closure in a location radially outwardly of the rib projections which assure a broad area of contact sealing engagement with respect to an arcuately curved bead portion of a container wall contacted both in an axial region and a radially outer region as to a foil membrane or liner having at least one, preferably three radially outwardly projecting tabs which are folded into a slot or recess concentrically between the outer skirt portion and inner skirt portion of the cover or lid.

Abstract: A closure-opening device for a 360.degree. peripherally-scored lid closure member including an "arrow-tab" element having a base portion, middle portion and a head portion. A tab-score extends around the "arrow-tab" element and terminates at opposite ends of the tab score at opposite locations adjacent to an underside of the base portion. The head portion has a sharp included-angle point of approximately 60.degree. angle and the base portion has a relatively blunt included-angle point of approximately 120.degree. angle. Reinforcement droplet portions are located in a spaced pair at opposite ends of the tab score. Fingernail engagement projections extend laterally outward from the sharp angle head portion of the tab element. The middle portion has finger-graspable arcuate-shaped recesses on opposite side walls thereof.

Abstract: A container includes a molded container blank comprising a tubular wall and an integrally formed closure panel closing one end of the tubular wall. The closure panel may be torn away from the tubular wall and has an integrally formed scoop wall projecting into the region surrounded by the tubular wall. The panel has an endless scoreline surrounding the scoop wall and merging with another scoreline, both scorelines being rupturable to allow removal from the closure panel of a scoop including the scoop wall and a scoop handle and scoop base derived from the closure panel. The panel and its container to the tubular wall so formed that the scoop may be removed from other portions of the closure panel when the panel is removed from the tubular wall to open the container.

Abstract: An essentially straight walled, minimally tapered or non-tapered container is provided with a radially outwardly projecting chime or bead formation which enables gripping of such container when molded to facilitate removal of the container from an injection mold apparatus. The described molded part extraction technology allows the formation of a novel easy-open closure in which the easy-openable closure structure is injection molded and may be one piece with a container side wall. The disclosure also includes a description of two forms of molding method and apparatus suitable for accomplishment of the described technology. The novel easy openable closure structure includes a closure panel forming a side wall which is inwardly convergent from one end of the container. A weakened web connects the closure panel to the container. The closure panel is provided with other weakened webs and a pull ring which enables removal of the closure panel by a pulling force exerted on the pull ring.

Abstract: A reusable closure for a container has a reversibly hinged annular pilferproof band integrally joined thereto by a relatively thin annular web serving as a hinge. When the parts are assembled, the band is pivoted about the web from a first position to a second, reversed position wherein it extends over a bead on the container. In the illustrated embodiments, the closure is a screw cap for a bottle and the band is joined about the base of the skirt of the cap. The bottle has a threaded neck for receiving the screw cap and the aforementioned bead about the neck. The band loosely interfits with the bead so that the cap can be initially unscrewed for removal without substantial restriction. As removal continues, the band so engages the bead that the connection between the band and the closure skirt stretches and then ruptures. Apparatus and methods for reversing the positions of a band are also disclosed.

Abstract: A molded plastic container and closure assembly comprises a container having an upstanding wall adapted to be embraced by the depending skirt of a closure member. To resist tampering or unauthorized removal of the closure, the container has an integrally molded wall means projecting radially outwardly therefrom forming a channel to receive the lower end of the depending skirt. Annular beads formed on the interior wall of the depending skirt cooperate with a bead formed at the free edge of the container opening and with a relatively smooth outer skirt surface to restrict closure removal until the aforementioned wall means are torn away from the container. To facilitate such tearing, the wall means are provided with finger-engageable means and with suitably located weakenings to enable a tearing removal of the wall means by manual gripping and pulling of the finger-engageable means.