Patents by Inventor Robert E. Harman

Robert E. Harman 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: 6757957
    Abstract: A dispenser package for fluent products such as cosmetics and lotions that includes an integrally molded plastic container having a flexible body with a sidewall, a closed bottom, and a top wall having a dispensing opening offset from the axis of the container body. A closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt. In some embodiments of the invention, the closure is rotatably mounted on the container body, and has a dispensing opening in the closure base wall for selective registry with the dispensing opening in the top wall of the container body. Detent elements are provided on the closure and container body for selectively locking the closure in open and closed positions. In alternative embodiments, the closure includes a flip-top hinged to the base wall, with a plug extending therefrom for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening in the container body top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Publication number: 20040003489
    Abstract: A dispenser package for fluent products such as cosmetics and lotions that includes an integrally molded plastic container having a flexible body with a sidewall, a closed bottom, and a top wall having a dispensing opening offset from the axis of the container body. A closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt. In some embodiments of the invention, the closure is rotatably mounted on the container body, and has a dispensing opening in the closure base wall for selective registry with the dispensing opening in the top wall of the container body. Detent elements are provided on the closure and container body for selectively locking the closure in open and closed positions. In alternative embodiments, the closure includes a flip-top hinged to the base wall, with a plug extending therefrom for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening in the container body top wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6622895
    Abstract: A dispenser package for a fluent product that includes a plastic container having an axially extending cylindrical neck, and a closure secured to the open end of the neck. The closure includes a plastic fitment having a dispensing opening and a cylindrical wall received within the neck. The container neck has a radially opening circumferential channel, while the fitment has a radially projecting circumferential bead received by snap fit into the channel to secure the fitment to the neck. A top is pivotally secured to the fitment or to the container neck for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispensing opening is circular, and the top has an annular wall that forms a plug seal within the dispensing opening when the top is in the closed position. The top is flush with the fitment or the axial end of the container neck in the closed position to form a compact visual structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6615473
    Abstract: A dispenser package for fluent products such as cosmetics and lotions that includes an integrally molded plastic container having a flexible body with a sidewall, a closed bottom, and a top wall having a dispensing opening offset from the axis of the container body. A closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt. In some embodiments of the invention, the closure is rotatably mounted on the container body, and has a dispensing opening in the closure base wall for selective registry with the dispensing opening in the top wall of the container body. Detent elements are provided on the closure and container body for selectively locking the closure in open and closed positions. In alternative embodiments, the closure includes a flip-top hinged to the base wall, with a plug extending therefrom for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening in the container body top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Publication number: 20020092880
    Abstract: A dispenser package for a fluent product that includes a plastic container having an axially extending cylindrical neck, and a closure secured to the open end of the neck. The closure includes a plastic fitment having a dispensing opening and a cylindrical wall received within the neck. The container neck has a radially opening circumferential channel, while the fitment has a radially projecting circumferential bead received by snap fit into the channel to secure the fitment to the neck. A top is pivotally secured to the fitment or to the container neck for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispensing opening is circular, and the top has an annular wall that forms a plug seal within the dispensing opening when the top is in the closed position. The top is flush with the fitment or the axial end of the container neck in the closed position to form a compact visual structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6394323
    Abstract: A dispenser package for a fluent product that includes a plastic container having an axially extending cylindrical neck, and a closure secured to the open end of the neck. The closure includes a plastic fitment having a dispensing opening and a cylindrical wall received within the neck. The container neck has a radially opening circumferential channel, while the fitment has a radially projecting circumferential bead received by snap fit into the channel to secure the fitment to the neck. A top is pivotally secured to the fitment or to the container neck for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispensing opening is circular, and the top has an annular wall that forms a plug seal within the dispensing opening when the top is in the closed position. The top is flush with the fitment or the axial end of the container neck in the closed position to form a compact visual structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6357625
    Abstract: A container and closure package for dispensing a fluent product that includes an integrally molded plastic container and a one-piece molded plastic closure. The closure is secured to the container within a recess in the upper portion of the container so that the closure conforms to the outlines of the container body. The closure has a base with an annular wall and an interior bead that is received by snap fit over an exterior bead on an annular wall surrounding the outlet opening of the container. A pair of laterally opposed aprons depend from the closure base, and have interior beads that are received by snap fit over exterior beads on the container for enhanced retention of the closure on the container. Strengthening webs extend along the recessed portion of the container to the annular wall surrounding the container outlet opening to strengthen the container against buckling during application of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastics Products Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Kimble, John W. Safian, Robert E. Harman
  • Publication number: 20010048008
    Abstract: A dispenser package for a fluent product that includes a plastic container having an axially extending cylindrical neck, and a closure secured to the open end of the neck. The closure includes a plastic fitment having a dispensing opening and a cylindrical wall received within the neck. The container neck has a radially opening circumferential channel, while the fitment has a radially projecting circumferential bead received by snap fit into the channel to secure the fitment to the neck. A top is pivotally secured to the fitment or to the container neck for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispensing opening is circular, and the top has an annular wall that forms a plug seal within the dispensing opening when the top is in the closed position. The top is flush with the fitment or the axial end of the container neck in the closed position to form a compact visual structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: CRAIG E. MCCLEAN, ROBERT E. HARMAN
  • Publication number: 20010040176
    Abstract: A container and closure package for dispensing a fluent product that includes an integrally molded plastic container and a one-piece molded plastic closure. The closure is secured to the container within a recess in the upper portion of the container so that the closure conforms to the outlines of the container body. The closure has a base with an annular wall and an interior bead that is received by snap fit over an exterior bead on an annular wall surrounding the outlet opening of the container. A pair of laterally opposed aprons depend from the closure base, and have interior beads that are received by snap fit over exterior beads on the container for enhanced retention of the closure on the container. Strengthening webs extend along the recessed portion of the container to the annular wall surrounding the container outlet opening to strengthen the container against buckling during application of the closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Bradley J. Kimble, John W. Safian, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6311878
    Abstract: A container and closure package for dispensing a fluent product that includes an integrally molded plastic container and a one-piece molded plastic closure. The closure is secured to the container within a recess in the upper portion of the container so that the closure conforms to the outlines of the container body. The closure has a base with an annular wall and an interior bead that is received by snap fit over an exterior bead on an annular wall surrounding the outlet opening of the container. A pair of laterally opposed aprons depend from the closure base, and have interior beads that are received by snap fit over exterior beads on the container for enhanced retention of the closure on the container. Strengthening webs extend along the recessed portion of the container to the annular wall surrounding the container outlet opening to strengthen the container against buckling during application of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastics Products Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Kimble, John W. Safian, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6308863
    Abstract: A package for containing and simultaneously dispensing first and second pressurized, fluent products, the package having a cup-shaped outer housing and first and second containers containing the first and second products, respectively, positioned within the outer housing. Each of the containers has a dispensing end with an actuatable valve at the dispensing end, and the opposed end of each of the containers is frictionally engaged by a fitment that is releasably secured to an open end of the outer housing. The outer housing is formed from a resilient polymeric material, and the closed end of the outer housing has an end member with first and second annular members depending therefrom to engage, respectively, the actuatable valves of the first and second containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Harman
  • Publication number: 20010011446
    Abstract: A dispenser package for fluent products such as cosmetics and lotions that includes an integrally molded plastic container having a flexible body with a sidewall, a closed bottom, and a top wall having a dispensing opening offset from the axis of the container body. A closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt. In some embodiments of the invention, the closure is rotatably mounted on the container body, and has a dispensing opening in the closure base wall for selective registry with the dispensing opening in the top wall of the container body. Detent elements are provided on the closure and container body for selectively locking the closure in open and closed positions. In alternative embodiments, the closure includes a flip-top hinged to the base wall, with a plug extending therefrom for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening in the container body top wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6241128
    Abstract: A dispenser package for fluent products such as cosmetics and lotions that includes an integrally molded plastic container having a flexible body with a sidewall, a closed bottom, and a top wall having a dispensing opening offset from the axis of the container body. A closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt. In some embodiments of the invention, the closure is rotatably mounted on the container body, and has a dispensing opening in the closure base wall for selective registry with the dispensing opening in the top wall of the container body. Detent elements are provided on the closure and container body for selectively locking the closure in open and closed positions. In alternative embodiments, the closure includes a flip-top hinged to the base wall, with a plug extending therefrom for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening in the container body top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6216915
    Abstract: A dual chamber package for containing and simultaneously dispensing two individually contained fluent products which are not continuously externally pressurized. The package has an outer container body formed of a resilient plastic material, which is closed at one end, and a pair of collapsible containers contained within the outer container body for containing the fluent products out of contact with one another. A single elevator is positioned in within outer container body, initially near the closed end thereof, and in contact with closed ends of each of the collapsible containers. The elevator receives the free end of a walking stick in a one-way connection, and lifting of the walking stick causes the elevator to rise, thereby simultaneously dispensing small doses of the packaged products from the collapsible containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Harman, Jeffrey J. Baltzell, Craig E. McClean