Patents by Inventor Hugh C. Urmston

Hugh C. Urmston 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: 5819976
    Abstract: A promotional closure includes a sealed promotion-receiving member in the form of a compartment positioned generally within an outer closure cap, for disposition within an associated container. The sealed configuration of the promotion compartment desirably acts to isolate the promotional element therein from the contents of the container. Use on a container having carbonated contents is particularly facilitated by an arrangement by which a plastic film cover member which seals the compartment is sealed to an annular flange of the compartment to permit predetermined delamination and release of gas pressure from within the interior of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International
    Inventors: Ted W. Boehm, David L. Cerny, Wendell D. Willingham, Daniel J. Denman, Sheldon L. Wilde, Stephen W. McBride, Hugh C. Urmston, Ralph H. Whitney, David E. Babcock, Joseph M. Ladina
  • 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: 5806707
    Abstract: A removable inner compartment promotional closure includes a plastic closure cap having a circular top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. A circular, resilient liner is positioned in the cap, and has a retaining element extending therefrom. A removable compartment member is positioned in the closure cap in engagement with the retaining element. The compartment defines an interior compartment adapted to receive promotional indicia, such as a promotional game piece, therein. The compartment is adapted to release from the cap after the cap is removed from the container. A sealed cover element may be positioned to extend over and close the compartment member, to isolate the compartment from the contents of the container. The promotional closure is used in conjunction with a simulated promotional closure, which configured to be is indistinguishable from the promotional closure cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted W. Boehm, David L. Cerny, Wendell D. Willingham, Daniel J. Denman, Sheldon L. Wilde, Stephen W. McBride, Hugh C. Urmston, Ralph H. Whitney
  • Patent number: 5735426
    Abstract: A fitment and closure assembly useful with a gable-topped carton having a gable-forming panel with a pouring hole, through which contents are pourable from the carton, is molded from low density polyethylene. A fitment having a tubular spout formed with an external thread and an annular flange extending outwardly from the tubular spout, below the external thread, is attachable to the gable-forming panel so that the annular flange is attached to the gable-forming panel, around the pouring hole, and so that the tubular spout extends upwardly from the pouring hole. A closure having an upper wall, a tubular skirt with an internal thread and an upper shoulder, and a plug seal forming an annular recess between the plug seal and the upper shoulder is threadable onto the fitment so that the external and internal threads are interengaged and so that the upper end of the tubular spout enters the annular recess with an interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Babcock, Hugh C. Urmston
  • Patent number: 4738370
    Abstract: A male core designed to be mateable with a female mold for forming vent slots in a thermoplastic closure. The male core comprises a cylindrical member having an end surface which forms an underside top surface and an inside surface of a downwardly depending skirt on the closure. A helical groove is formed about the periphery of the cylindrical member which forms a thread on the inside surface of the skirt. At least one integral rib is formed in the cylindrical member which is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure. The rib forms a vent slot in the closure which traverses the thread. Convoluted surfaces are formed on the cylindrical member which extend from each side surface of the rib to the bottom of adjacent helical grooves. The convoluted surfaces provide smooth radii on the ends of the threads adjacent to the vent slot which facilitate axial stripping of the closure from the male core without deforming the threads into the vent slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Inventors: Hugh C. Urmston, Elmer E. Pohlenz
  • Patent number: 4657221
    Abstract: A male core designed to be mateable with a female mold for forming vent slots in a thermoplastic closure. The male core comprises a cylindrical member having an end surface which forms an underside top surface and an inside surface of a downwardly depending skirt on the closure. A helical groove is formed about the periphery of the cylindrical member which forms a thread on the inside surface of the skirt. At least one integral rib is formed in the cylindrical member which is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closure. The rib forms a vent slot in the closure which traverses the thread. Convoluted surfaces are formed on the cylindrical member which extend from each side surface of the rib to the bottom of adjacent helical grooves. The convoluted surfaces provide smooth radii on the ends of the threads adjacent to the vent slot which facilitate axial stripping of the closure from the male core without deforming the threads into the vent slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Hugh C. Urmston, Elmer E. Pohlenz
  • Patent number: 3938455
    Abstract: An improved method of forming and a construction for a digitally openable container closure. Included therein is a container wall having an inwardly displaceable opening panel defined by a fracturable web which has been formed by selectively displacing metal adjacent a predetermined line substantially perpendicular to the surface of the container wall and by extruding metal between substantially parallel die surfaces which are disposed at an angle to the plane of the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Hugh C. Urmston