Patents by Inventor Robert T. Auer

Robert T. Auer 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: 8272522
    Abstract: A closure for a container, the closure including a spout having a dispensing nozzle and a tip attached to the spout at a break-away junction. The break-away junction is recessed from the nozzle such that a user is protected from rough or jagged edges that may be created when the tip is broken away from the spout. The spout also has an orifice that is smaller than the dispensing nozzle for controlling the rate or amount of product dispensed from the container, the orifice remaining intact when the tip is broken away from the spout. The tip is sufficiently flexible to absorb an impact, such as from the container being dropped, but is sufficiently stiff that a user can fracture the break-away junction by applying sideways force to the tip. The closure may be attached to the container by a cap body or may be formed integrally with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Stull, Sr., Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: 8205761
    Abstract: A child-resistant container closure includes a base cap having a top, a skirt, and a plurality of asymmetric teeth recessed in the skirt below the top, and a cover cap having a top, a skirt, and a plurality of asymmetric downwardly extending teeth adjacent to the skirt, the teeth being adapted for asymmetric engagement with the base cap teeth, the skirt having a plurality of interspersed vertical legs each spaced apart from adjacent legs by vertical openings, the legs being joined at a bottom end of the skirt by a support ring, the base cap teeth each having a sloped sliding face to ensure that one of the cover cap teeth will drop into a notch between adjacent base cap teeth when the cover cap is rotated in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Stull, Sr., Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: 7946443
    Abstract: A vented closure is provided for a container having a raised lip proximal to an upper end thereof. The closure includes a top preferably having two locking levers connected to the top with an elastically deformable hinge. The locking levers operate to releasably secure the closure to the container. The top includes a first portion and a second portion. The closure also includes a skirt. The first portion is centrally positioned in the top and the second portion is connected to the skirt. One or more vent holes are provided in the first portion. The first portion defines a first plane and the second portion defines a second plane. The first plane is displaced from the second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jameson P. Stull, Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: 7810680
    Abstract: The present invention is a top for a dispensing container. The top includes a base, a nozzle portion extending from a first end of the base, and a tab integrally formed with the nozzle portion at a neck down portion. The nozzle portion has an outer wall defining an internal conduit for passage of a liquid, powder and/or gel. The tab includes a tip end sealing the internal conduit and at least one shock absorbing portion. When the tab is twisted, the tip end is removed from the nozzle portion at the neck down portion, thereby opening the internal conduit. The shock absorbing portion can include a slot, an area with reduced thickness, a flex area, or a combination thereof. The top can be included on a container for storing liquids, powders and/or gels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jameson P. Stull, Joseph Valley, Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: 7743952
    Abstract: The present invention is a container closure for a bottle or other similar container having a neck. The closure includes a top ring, a downwardly depending skirt, and a hollow generally cylindrical downwardly depending plug seal. The plug seal having a varied thickness with a relatively thick proximal end and tapers to a relatively thinner midpoint. The plug seal further extends at a substantially constant thickness to a distal end. The plug seal includes an upper annular bead and a lower annular bead on the outer surface thereof. The lower bead is slightly larger than the upper bead. The upper bead is located coincident with or near the midpoint of the plug seal and the lower bead is located at or near the distal end of the plug seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Auer, Gene Stull, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20100126997
    Abstract: A child-resistant container closure includes a base cap having a top, a skirt, and a plurality of asymmetric teeth recessed in the skirt below the top, and a cover cap having a top, a skirt, and a plurality of asymmetric downwardly extending teeth adjacent to the skirt, the teeth being adapted for asymmetric engagement with the base cap teeth, the skirt having a plurality of interspersed vertical legs each spaced apart from adjacent legs by vertical openings, the legs being joined at a bottom end of the skirt by a support ring, the base cap teeth each having a sloped sliding face to ensure that one of the cover cap teeth will drop into a notch between adjacent base cap teeth when the cover cap is rotated in one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Gene Stull, SR., Robert T. Auer
  • Publication number: 20100126996
    Abstract: A child-resistant container closure includes a base cap having a plurality of upwardly extending teeth and one or more ramps protruding radially outwardly from a skirt, and a cover cap having a plurality of downwardly extending teeth adapted for engagement with the teeth of the base cap and one or more ramps protruding radially inwardly from a skirt, the cover cap ramps being adapted for engagement with the base cap ramps, and springs urging the cover cap apart from the base cap for enabling selective engagement between the base cap teeth and the cover cap teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Lino Gabriel Ferri, Jason W. Stull, Robert T. Auer
  • Publication number: 20100032432
    Abstract: A closure for a container, the closure including a spout having a dispensing nozzle and a tip attached to the spout at a break-away junction. The break-away junction has a vent passageway interconnecting the interior of the container with the ambient surroundings, and a vent element disposed in the passageway. The vent element is impermeable to liquids, gels, and powders, but is permeable to gases and vapors, permitting the pressure to remain equalized between the interior of the container and the ambient surroundings. The closure may be attached to the container by a cap body or may be formed integrally with the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Gene Stull, SR., Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: 7594588
    Abstract: A container cover for use with a container having a neck with a rim. The cover includes a lid, a skirt extending downward from the circumference of the lid, a concentric plug seal extending downward from the lid inside the skirt, a hinged lock and at least one non-hinged lock, each lock having an inwardly projecting wedge, which lock the cover in place on the container by engaging the bead ring. The non-hinged lock preferably includes a slot through the skirt and the locking wedge, to provide flexion and facilitate removing the lid. When the cover is locked on the container, the plug seal provides a seal against the inside of the container neck. An optional spout hole and spout door can be provided, wherein the spout door seals the spout hole when closed and prevents unlatching of the hinged lock when open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: 7594587
    Abstract: A container cover for use with a container having a neck with a rim. The cover includes a lid with a spout hole, a skirt extending downward from the circumference of the lid, a concentric plug seal extending downward from the lid inside the skirt, a spout hole door hingeably connected to the lid, and at least one non-flexing lock and one flexing lock, each having an inwardly projecting wedge, which lock the cover in place on the container by engaging the bead ring. The nonflexing lock wedge is preferably shaped as a truncated teardrop and positioned so as to facilitate removing the lid. When the cover is locked on the container, the plug seal provides a seal against the inside of the container neck. The spout door seals the spout hole when closed and prevents unlatching of the flex lock when open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Auer
  • Publication number: 20090120899
    Abstract: A flip-top container closure for use with a bottle or similar container having a neck. The closure includes a base cap that attaches to the container. The base cap is connected to an cover cap by a hinge. The base cap includes a skirt extending downward from the section's top surface, and a concentric plug seal extending from the surface inside the skirt. The base cap includes an orifice for passage of the container's contents. The cover cap includes a plug that seals the orifice when the closure is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Gene Stull, SR., Wayne E. Ford, Robert T. Auer
  • Publication number: 20090039083
    Abstract: A closure for a container, the closure including a spout having a dispensing nozzle and a tip attached to the spout at a break-away junction. The break-away junction is recessed from the nozzle such that a user is protected from rough or jagged edges that may be created when the tip is broken away from the spout. The spout also has an orifice that is smaller than the dispensing nozzle for controlling the rate or amount of product dispensed from the container, the orifice remaining intact when the tip is broken away from the spout. The tip is sufficiently flexible to absorb an impact, such as from the container being dropped, but is sufficiently stiff that a user can fracture the break-away junction by applying sideways force to the tip. The closure may be attached to the container by a cap body or may be formed integrally with the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Gene Stull, SR., Robert T. Auer
  • Publication number: 20080093396
    Abstract: The present invention is a container closure for a bottle or other similar container having a neck. The closure includes a top ring, a downwardly depending skirt, and a hollow generally cylindrical downwardly depending plug seal. The plug seal having a varied thickness with a relatively thick proximal end and tapers to a relatively thinner midpoint. The plug seal further extends at a substantially constant thickness to a distal end. The plug seal includes an upper annular bead and a lower annular bead on the outer surface thereof. The lower bead is slightly larger than the upper bead. The upper bead is located coincident with or near the midpoint of the plug seal and the lower bead is located at or near the distal end of the plug seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Robert T. Auer, Gene Stull
  • Publication number: 20080078763
    Abstract: A container cover for use with a container having a neck with a rim. The cover includes a lid, a skirt extending downward from the circumference of the lid, a concentric plug seal extending downward from the lid inside the skirt, a hinged lock and at least one non-hinged lock, each lock having an inwardly projecting wedge, which lock the cover in place on the container by engaging the bead ring. The non-hinged lock preferably includes a slot through the skirt and the locking wedge, to provide flexion and facilitate removing the lid. When the cover is locked on the container, the plug seal provides a seal against the inside of the container neck. An optional spout hole and spout door can be provided, wherein the spout door seals the spout hole when closed and prevents unlatching of the hinged lock when open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: 7299952
    Abstract: A container closure includes a base with a valve mount portion formed from a first thermoplastic material and a valve formed from a second thermoplastic material. The valve is bonded to the valve mount portion. A lid is hingeably attached to the base and includes a sealing rim extending from a surface of the lid and designed to engage the valve at the location where the valve seals to the valve mount portion. The engagement of the sealing rim with the valve forming a seal between the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jameson P. Stull, Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: D616745
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Stull, Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: D616746
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Stull, Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: D616747
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Stull, Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: D617191
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Stull, Robert T. Auer
  • Patent number: D630511
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Stull, Sr., Robert T. Auer