Patents by Inventor Len Ekkert
Len Ekkert 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).
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Patent number: 11612902Abstract: The invention relates to nozzle tips including a nozzle body and a tip portion, configured to minimize the accumulation of a resin on the nozzle tip as it is dispensed through the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can contain a central flow channel and an internal portion that branches and guides the resin into multiple exiting flow channels that define tangential pathways to the outer surface of the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can include grooves that define extended, sharply angled flow paths for the resin. Nozzle tips can have a neck portion separating a nozzle body and a tip end of the nozzle tip; here, a doughnut-shaped space located around the neck portion can be defined by the base of the nozzle, the crown of the nozzle, and the neck portion, for encouraging turbulent flow of the resin to scour the nozzle tip during dispensing.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Patent number: 11377267Abstract: A closure includes: a cap member for engaging a fitment; a handling member wall encircling the cap member; and septa connecting the cap and handling members and providing an interior space between them. The handling member can include an upper rim smaller than its lower rim, and multiple openings, providing structures for allowing air flow into or out of the interior space. The openings and rims are aligned to provide multiple ventilation passageways traveling in: straight, vertical directions; straight, horizontal directions; indirect horizontal directions; or indirect transverse pathways that include vertical and horizontal orientations. The closure can include a tamper-evident band for indicating the closure has disengaged from the fitment. The band can comprise indentations defining segments that the tamper-evident band can separate into when the closure disengages, and connecting elements that keep the intact tamper-evident band, and its separated segments, connected to the closure.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Patent number: 11242182Abstract: A container including a base and a cap is provided. The base can include a pull down ramp and first threads on an exterior of the base and the cap can include one or more engagement lugs and second threads on an interior of the cap. The one or more engagement lugs are configured to engage with the pull down ramp to couple the cap to the base and form a hollow section between the cap and the base below the one or more engagement lugs and the pull down ramp and the one or more engagement lugs are configured to disengage from the pull down ramp to decouple the cap from the base when the cap is compressed into the hollow section. The second threads are configured to engage with the first threads to tighten a top of the cap against an upper lip of the base.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Patent number: 11185874Abstract: The invention relates to nozzle tips including a nozzle body and a tip portion, configured to minimize the accumulation of a resin on the nozzle tip as it is dispensed through the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can contain a central flow channel and an internal portion that branches and guides the resin into multiple exiting flow channels that define tangential pathways to the outer surface of the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can include grooves that define extended, sharply angled flow paths for the resin. Nozzle tips can have a neck portion separating a nozzle body and a tip end of the nozzle tip; here, a doughnut-shaped space located around the neck portion can be defined by the base of the nozzle, the crown of the nozzle, and the neck portion, for encouraging turbulent flow of the resin to scour the nozzle tip during dispensing.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Publication number: 20210188499Abstract: A container including a base and a cap is provided. The base can include a pull down ramp and first threads on an exterior of the base and the cap can include one or more engagement lugs and second threads on an interior of the cap. The one or more engagement lugs are configured to engage with the pull down ramp to couple the cap to the base and form a hollow section between the cap and the base below the one or more engagement lugs and the pull down ramp and the one or more engagement lugs are configured to disengage from the pull down ramp to decouple the cap from the base when the cap is compressed into the hollow section. The second threads are configured to engage with the first threads to tighten a top of the cap against an upper lip of the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Publication number: 20200361664Abstract: A closure includes: a cap member for engaging a fitment; a handling member wall encircling the cap member; and septa connecting the cap and handling members and providing an interior space between them. The handling member can include an upper rim smaller than its lower rim, and multiple openings, providing structures for allowing air flow into or out of the interior space. The openings and rims are aligned to provide multiple ventilation passageways traveling in: straight, vertical directions; straight, horizontal directions; indirect horizontal directions; or indirect transverse pathways that include vertical and horizontal orientations. The closure can include a tamper-evident band for indicating the closure has disengaged from the fitment. The band can comprise indentations defining segments that the tamper-evident band can separate into when the closure disengages, and connecting elements that keep the intact tamper-evident band, and its separated segments, connected to the closure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Patent number: 10676268Abstract: The present invention relates to provides a dispensing closure assembly for connection to a container, the assembly including a closure member attachment to a container and a flow control member for controlling the flow of material from the container in response to increased pressure inside the container, where the flow control member having one or more slits, so that upon an increase of pressure inside the container, the flow control member deforms to create at least one opening adjacent to the slits thereby allowing a flowable material to be dispensed from the container. The invention further relates to a flow control member that can return to its undeformed configuration to provide a resealing system.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Publication number: 20200095050Abstract: The present invention relates to provides a dispensing closure assembly for connection to a container, the assembly including a closure member attachment to a container and a flow control member for controlling the flow of material from the container in response to increased pressure inside the container, where the flow control member having one or more slits, so that upon an increase of pressure inside the container, the flow control member deforms to create at least one opening adjacent to the slits thereby allowing a flowable material to be dispensed from the container. The invention further relates to a flow control member that can return to its undeformed configuration to provide a resealing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventor: Len EKKERT
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Patent number: 10582794Abstract: A device is adapted for positioning or mounting onto a surface, for holding eyewear or eyewear lenses in a substantially upright or nearly vertical position. The eyewear holder has a base member beneath an elongated bridge supporting member. The bridge supporting member can have a top surface configured for balancing the eyewear in the upright position and for restricting backward and downward movements of the eyewear. The base member can support a front retaining wall for restricting forward movement of the balanced eyewear; it can support a back retaining wall for restricting backward movement of the balanced eyewear. The retaining walls can have lateral walls that restrict sideward movement of the eyewear. In embodiments having both front and back retaining walls, they can define a slot transverse to the bridge supporting member, the slot for holding the eyewear and for minimizing forward, backward, and rotational movement of the eyewear.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Publication number: 20200016614Abstract: The invention relates to nozzle tips including a nozzle body and a tip portion, configured to minimize the accumulation of a resin on the nozzle tip as it is dispensed through the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can contain a central flow channel and an internal portion that branches and guides the resin into multiple exiting flow channels that define tangential pathways to the outer surface of the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can include grooves that define extended, sharply angled flow paths for the resin. Nozzle tips can have a neck portion separating a nozzle body and a tip end of the nozzle tip; here, a doughnut-shaped space located around the neck portion can be defined by the base of the nozzle, the crown of the nozzle, and the neck portion, for encouraging turbulent flow of the resin to scour the nozzle tip during dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventor: Len EKKERT
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Publication number: 20200016811Abstract: The invention relates to nozzle tips including a nozzle body and a tip portion, configured to minimize the accumulation of a resin on the nozzle tip as it is dispensed through the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can contain a central flow channel and an internal portion that branches and guides the resin into multiple exiting flow channels that define tangential pathways to the outer surface of the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can include grooves that define extended, sharply angled flow paths for the resin. Nozzle tips can have a neck portion separating a nozzle body and a tip end of the nozzle tip; here, a doughnut-shaped space located around the neck portion can be defined by the base of the nozzle, the crown of the nozzle, and the neck portion, for encouraging turbulent flow of the resin to scour the nozzle tip during dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventor: Len EKKERT
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Patent number: 10494164Abstract: A dispensing system provides for the delivery of a contained substance sealed in a Dispensable Containment Vessel (DCV) into a target container, which can contain another substance. The dispensing system includes a dispensing adaptor (Dispensing System) that couples the DCV to the target container so substances can be transferred between the containers without escaping or contacting the user. When the DCV is activated from a secure conformation into a dispensing conformation, the dispensing adaptor sealably engages the target container and portions of the dispensing adaptor place stress on a barrier, which frangibly tears along defined tearing paths to form vents or flaps that are forced apart against the dispensing adaptor, allowing the contents of the DCV to enter the target container. The dispensing conformation also facilitates the efficient mixture of substances and allows them to travel between the containers to flush residual DCV contents into the target container.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio BankingInventors: Darren Nickerson, Thomas Stoneberg, Len Ekkert
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Patent number: 10442582Abstract: A spout fitment has a spout for dispensing liquid into or out of a flexible container, the spout passing through a base portion that is connected to attachment ribs for sealing to the flexible container. The attachment ribs can contain a sharp edge to facilitate improved adhesion of the flexible container to the attachment ribs of the spout fitment. The attachment ribs can also contain a beveled edge that can provide mechanical support to the attachment sites between the spout fitment and the flexible container. Other embodiments can include a base portion having lateral attachment walls containing a series of elevated ridges that provide extended areas of focal contact between the spout fitment and the flexible container. The base portion can include one or more pockets for holding and manipulating the spout fitment while it is attached to the flexible container.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Patent number: 9815604Abstract: A two-piece tamper-evident band assembly for use with a container and closure combination, where the container has a peripheral collar and the closure has a skirt, is shown. The tamper-evident band assembly includes a breakaway band frangibly connected to a staying ring. The staying ring has decreased flexibility where it connects to the container and closure combination, which prevents the assembly from deforming in a manner that will cause the assembly to fail to indicate that the container has been opened. The tamper-evident band assembly also indicates whether the container has been compromised without requiring modification of the container or the closure and can be applied to existing container and closure combinations that lack a tamper-evident system, allowing the assembly to be used with a variety of container and closure combinations.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Publication number: 20170259982Abstract: A dispensing system provides for the delivery of a contained substance sealed in a Dispensable Containment Vessel (DCV) into a target container, which can contain another substance. The dispensing system includes a dispensing adaptor (Dispensing System) that couples the DCV to the target container so substances can be transferred between the containers without escaping or contacting the user. When the DCV is activated from a secure conformation into a dispensing conformation, the dispensing adaptor sealably engages the target container and portions of the dispensing adaptor place stress on a barrier, which frangibly tears along defined tearing paths to form vents or flaps that are forced apart against the dispensing adaptor, allowing the contents of the DCV to enter the target container. The dispensing conformation also facilitates the efficient mixture of substances and allows them to travel between the containers to flush residual DCV contents into the target container.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Darren Nickerson, Thomas Stoneberg, Len Ekkert
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Publication number: 20170217653Abstract: A two-piece tamper-evident band assembly for use with a container and closure combination, where the container has a peripheral collar and the closure has a skirt, is shown. The tamper-evident band assembly includes a breakaway band frangibly connected to a staying ring. The staying ring has decreased flexibility where it connects to the container and closure combination, which prevents the assembly from deforming in a manner that will cause the assembly to fail to indicate that the container has been opened. The tamper-evident band assembly also indicates whether the container has been compromised without requiring modification of the container or the closure and can be applied to existing container and closure combinations that lack a tamper-evident system, allowing the assembly to be used with a variety of container and closure combinations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Patent number: 9211979Abstract: A tamper-evident closure is disclosed, having a skirt, threads on an interior of the skirt, and a tamper-evident band secured to the closure body by frangible bridges along a circumferential lower surface of the closure. The band and the closure have a plurality of equidistant vertical upper and lower teeth along an interior wall. Further the subject invention includes a mandrel for use in cutting slits in tamper-evident closures. The mandrel is supported for rotational movement within a closure, and comprises a disc with a circumferential surface with a plurality of equidistant slots for meshing with complementary teeth on the interior surface of the closure.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Publication number: 20150069007Abstract: A tamper-evident closure is disclosed, having a skirt, threads on an interior of the skirt, and a tamper-evident band secured to the closure body by frangible bridges along a circumferential lower surface of the closure. The band and the closure have a plurality of equidistant vertical upper and lower teeth along an interior wall. Further the subject invention includes a mandrel for use in cutting slits in tamper-evident closures. The mandrel is supported for rotational movement within a closure, and comprises a disc with a circumferential surface with a plurality of equidistant slots for meshing with complementary teeth on the interior surface of the closure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Phoenix Closures, Inc.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Patent number: 8887937Abstract: A two-part closure for use in conjunction with a liner. An upper part of the closure is substantially plate like and clips or snaps onto the lower part of the closure. The lower part of the closure includes recessed vents which allow air and/or moisture to escape from beneath the closure. The lowest part of the closure has sidewalls with interior threads or a snap-on rib, as desired. The upper portion of the lower part is open, with crossing ribs positioned a spaced distance above the sealing lip for the lower part.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.Inventor: Len Ekkert
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Patent number: 8887936Abstract: An open top closure for use in conjunction with a liner. The closure has sidewalls and the upper portion of the closure is open, with at least one rib positioned a spaced distance above the plane of the liner. When in place on a container, the rib serves to limit the travel of the liner upward as it expands after the hot-fill of a product. The open upper portion of the closure permits any accumulated moisture to be blown off after the hot-fill is cooled.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.Inventor: Len Ekkert