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).

  • Patent number: 8881929
    Abstract: 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 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 8740012
    Abstract: A heat-sealable, plastic bottle with an internal scraper and an inner seal is described. More particularly, the present application relates to a heat-sealable, plastic bottle having an opening with an internal scraper chord that is less than or equal to the diameter of the circular opening, an inner seal, and a cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20130334225
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: PHOENIX CLOSURE, INC.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 8459441
    Abstract: A system with rotatable levers spaced and positioned to alternately retain or release components from a plurality of lanes simultaneously into slots of a component receiving mechanism. The levers may be differently sized and shaped to hold back certain components at different positions than others, or the levers may be attached to a rotatable member at varying angles to one another to accomplish such varying holdback patterns. Alternatively, a cam and pin arrangement may be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anderson, Len Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20130092650
    Abstract: A heat-sealable, plastic bottle with an internal scraper and an inner seal is described. More particularly, the present application relates to a heat-sealable, plastic bottle having an opening with an internal scraper chord that is less than or equal to the diameter of the circular opening, an inner seal, and a cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20130032449
    Abstract: A system with rotatable levers spaced and positioned to alternately retain or release components from a plurality of lanes simultaneously into slots of a component receiving mechanism. The levers may be differently sized and shaped to hold back certain components at different positions than others, or the levers may be attached to a rotatable member at varying angles to one another to accomplish such varying holdback patterns. Alternatively, a cam and pin arrangement may be utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.
    Inventors: David Anderson, Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 8353413
    Abstract: A tamper-evident closure and container combination identifies a compromised seal when a severable ring has been detached from a closure upon a first opening of the container. Successful detachment of the severable ring is improved whereby a lower neck portion of a container is angled or arced downwardly and outwardly from a point immediately adjacent an annular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20120324836
    Abstract: A method of applying a liner to a container mouth in a hot-fill operation, said method comprising the steps of: placing the liner over a mouth sealing surface of the container; heating the liner by induction or conduction; and cooling the liner immediately thereafter while biasing the liner against the mouth sealing surface for a sufficient length of time to permit curing and sealing of the liner to the mouth sealing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert R. MILLER, Len Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20120312818
    Abstract: A closure package includes a closure cap and a liner having a pull-tab. The liner is configured for use with a container having a finish or lip portion having a sealing surface at an uppermost portion thereof. The closure cap has a top wall portion and a depending skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The top wall portion and sealing liner is adapted to coact with the container sealing surface to form a seal therebetween. The liner of the subject invention is for use with a closure package and is disposed in cap, positioned intermediate the top wall portion and the container sealing surface when the cap is positioned on the container. The liner is circular and has a central portion and a tab portion integral with the central portion, extending outwardly from a periphery thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.
    Inventor: Len EKKERT
  • Publication number: 20120285965
    Abstract: 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 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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.
    Inventor: Len EKKERT
  • Publication number: 20120285959
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.
    Inventor: Len EKKERT
  • Publication number: 20120000910
    Abstract: A closure package includes a closure cap and a liner having a pull-tab. The liner is configured for use with a container having a finish or lip portion having a sealing surface at an uppermost portion thereof. The closure cap has a top wall portion and a depending skirt portion depending from the top wall portion. The top wall portion and sealing liner is adapted to coact with the container sealing surface to form a seal therebetween. The liner of the subject invention is for use with a closure package and is disposed in cap, positioned intermediate the top wall portion and the container sealing surface when the cap is positioned on the container. The liner is circular and has a central portion and a tab portion integral with the central portion, extending outwardly from a periphery thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CLOSURES, INC.
    Inventor: Len EKKERT
  • Patent number: 8056744
    Abstract: A closure and container combination where the closure has flanges that define a channel capable of receiving a portion of the neck of a container and forming a surface seal therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20100200532
    Abstract: A container closure comprising a top wall portion and a skirt portion depending from the top wall portion is provided. The skirt portion can include corrugation on an interior and exterior thereof, and the corrugation can reduce the weight of the container closure and provide strength of the skirt portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 7578404
    Abstract: A two-piece closure and tamper evident band assembly for use with a container neck having a peripheral bead is shown. The closure includes a top having a depending skirt. The skirt includes a break-away band frangibly connected to a bottom periphery of the skirt. The tamper evident band includes means for tearing and a lower ledge extending from a lower periphery of the band. The break-away band is positioned above the lower ledge. The closure and tamper evident band assembly is inserted onto the container neck, and when the closure is removed, the peripheral bead prevents the lower ledge and the tamper evident band from moving upward. As the closure moves up the container neck, the means for tearing tears the frangible connectors so that the break-away band and the tamper evident band remain positioned on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20090139954
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure for use with a container having an annular locking ring located around a vertical axis of the container opening. The closure features a cap having a top wall portion and an annular skirt portion perpendicularly extending from the top wall. A continuous annular tamper-evident band is affixed to the skirt portion of the cap and is detachable from the cap. The band has a frustoconical retaining member hingedly connected to a bottom rim of the band. The retaining member has a plurality of ridges extending from the bottom rim of the band to a distal end of the retaining member. The ridges define a plurality of flutes formed therebetween. The retaining member is suitable for being folded up adjacent the band such that the external surface of the retaining member is suitable for engaging the locking ring of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 7469517
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism, system and method for transferring closures. More specifically, the invention relates to a mechanism, system and method for transferring a closure from a first station, preferably a closure chute to a second station, preferably a closure chuck, through the use of a button with a lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: David Moore, Len Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20080169262
    Abstract: A closure and container combination where the closure has flanges that define a channel capable of receiving a portion of the neck of a container and forming a surface seal therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Patent number: 7399425
    Abstract: A closure that is able to prevent oxygen from entering the container upon which the closure is attached. Preferably, the closure is comprised of one piece wholly molded of plastic, oxygen scavenging or anti-oxidant compounds, and catalysts homogenously mixed therein. More preferably, the closure is a composition of polypropylene or high-density polyethylene with an oxygen scavenger and catalyst intergrated within the polypropylene or high-density polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert
  • Publication number: 20080164235
    Abstract: A tamper-evident closure and container combination identifies a compromised seal when a severable ring has been detached from a closure upon a first opening of the container. Successful detachment of the severable ring is improved whereby a lower neck portion of a container is angled or arced downwardly and outwardly from a point immediately adjacent an annular ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Len Ekkert