Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Fuchs

Timothy J. Fuchs 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: 7651004
    Abstract: A linerless closure of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction includes a base wall and a cylindrical skirt for attaching the closure to a container neck finish. First and second circumferentially continuous annular walls extend from the base wall at positions radially inward from the skirt. The first and second annular walls are spaced from each other to receive an end portion of the container neck finish when the closure is applied to the neck finish. At least one of the annular walls has a circumferentially continuous annular projection extending toward the opposing annular wall. The annular projection is axially flexible for bending and folding toward the base wall and toward the at least one annular wall in sealing engagement with the end portion of the container neck finish when such end portion is received between the annular walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Rexam Closure Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20080110851
    Abstract: A closure for sealing engagement with a container neck finish having at least one external thread segment includes a base wall having a skirt with at least one internal thread segment for engagement with the at least one external thread segment to thread the closure onto the container neck finish. A first flexible resilient annular wall extends from the base wall within the skirt and is positioned for sealing engagement with an inside surface of the container neck finish when the closure is threaded onto the neck finish. A second flexible resilient annular wall extends from the base wall between the first annular wall and the skirt, and is positioned for sealing engagement with an outside surface of the container neck finish when the closure is threaded onto the container neck finish. A circumferential series of external first axial ribs are on the first annular wall and a circumferential series of internal second axial ribs are on the second annular wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuchs, Carl R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6298554
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a squeeze-type container package that comprises a flexible resilient container body and a self-sealing closure assembly mounted to the mouth of the container body. The self-sealing closure assembly includes a dispensing valve of one-piece integrally molded elastic construction having an annular base, an internal wall portion that extends radially inwardly and axially from the base, and a mouth portion that includes a slit opening oriented diametrically of the annular base. Internal stresses within the wall portion bias the slit to the closed position. An annular lip that extends radially outwardly from the valve cooperates with an annular internal rib on the closure for venting the interior of the container body to atmosphere when the container body is released following dispensing of product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 6299036
    Abstract: A two-piece, self-cleansing dispensing closure operable with one hand is disclosed attachable to containers with liquid product. The dispensing closure is an assembly of a closure top and a closure base which are slidably interconnected so that the closure top is laterally movable to open and close the dispensing closure to dispense product from the side of the closure through a dispensing opening. The closure base comprises a hollow tubular enclosure which defines a dispensing channel adapted to receive a plug member on the closure top and an attachment means on the closure base and closure top which allows the slidable interconnection of said pieces. To dispense product from a container attached to the dispensing closure, the closure top is moved laterally away from the dispensing opening so that the plug member slides within the dispensing channel to a position where the dispensing opening is uncovered and product can flow from the container to the dispensing channel and out of the dispensing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 6062436
    Abstract: A squeeze-type container package that comprises a flexible resilient container body and a self-sealing closure assembly mounted to the mouth of the container body. The self-sealing closure assembly includes a dispensing valve of one-piece integrally molded elastic construction having an annular base, an internal wall portion that extends radially inwardly and axially from the base, and a mouth portion that includes a slit opening oriented diametrically of the annular base. Internal stresses within the wall portion bias the slit to the closed position. An annular lip that extends radially outwardly from the valve cooperates with an annular internal rib on the closure for venting the interior of the container body to atmosphere when the container body is released following dispensing of product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5862963
    Abstract: A dispensing closure includes a body on which an actuator supporting an outlet passage is pivoted about a transverse pivot axis. A post is integrally supported on the upper part of the body and extends adjacent and below the pivot axis. The actuator includes an abutting surface which extends axially when the actuator is in a position to close the outlet and is adjacent the post. Upon the first movement of the actuator, the abutting surface contacts the post with a transverse force that breaks the post. In a preferred embodiment, the post is formed on a transverse wall of the body and extends axially along an inner surface of the body. The post extends axially in cantilever fashion. A thin membrane may connect the post to the upper part of the body. The abutting surface is provided on an annular skirt on the actuator and comprises a recess in the skirt defining the abutting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuchs, James M. Bianca, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5727703
    Abstract: A child resistant package including a plastic container having a body portion and a finish with internal threads. The plastic container has a radial flange extending outwardly from the finish and an upwardly extending axial wall extending axially upwardly from the periphery of the radial flange. The axial wall has at least one lug extending radially inwardly from the axial wall. A plastic closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt having external threads engaging said internal threads on the container. The closure has a radial flange engaging the radial flange on the finish when the closure is threaded on the finish and a finger engaging tab thereon having a flexible portion which engages the lug on the container when the closure is fully threaded on the finish to prevent the closure from being removed. Radial inward deflection of the tab permits the closure to be rotated past the lug in order to remove the closure from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5692651
    Abstract: A self-sealing closure assembly including a base having threads for attachment to a plastic flexible container. The base includes one passage therethrough and an axially extending stem. A flexible disc is provided on the base and has a central opening through which the stem extends into normally sealing relation with the central portion. An overcap including a base wall and a skirt is telescoped over the flexible disc and interengages the base for holding the flexible disc in sealing relation with the base and overcap. The overcap has an opening through which the stem and the central portion of the disc extend. When the closure assembly is placed on a container having squeezable walls and the container is squeezed, the central portion of the flexible disc is moved out of sealing relation with the stem to permit the contents to be dispensed. When the squeezing force is removed, the central portion of the flexible disc returns to sealing relation with the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5489035
    Abstract: A closure with a snap type hinge cap comprising a first part adapted to interengage with the open neck of a container, a second part forming a cap and an integral hinge interconnecting the first part and second part. Each of the parts comprises a base wall and a peripheral skirt. A pair of hinged straps extend from the skirts on opposite side of said integral hinge. The ends of the straps are substantially straight and lie in substantially the same plane when the first part and second part are in fully open position. Each strap has a portion intermediate the ends which extends out of the plane. Each strap is untensioned when the first part and second part are in fully open position. The intermediate portions of the straps extend axially in one direction. In one form, the intermediate portions of the straps are curved in cross section. In another form, the intermediate portions of the straps are V-shaped in cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5129530
    Abstract: A tamper indicating closure comprising a base wall, a peripheral skirt and a band connected with the skirt along a weakened line. The band includes portions that are adapted to engage an annular retaining bead on a container to which the closure is applied. The closure includes a thin membrane extending axially along the lower portion of the skirt, spanning the weakened line and through the band. A thickened band retention column extends radially inwardly from the inner surface of the lower portion of the skirt adjacent the thin membrane, and axially spans the weakened line and extends radially outwardly into the band. When the closure is removed from its position on the container, the score line and thin membrane are broken but the band retention column retains the band on the closure and indicates that the closure has been tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 5078288
    Abstract: A child resistant spout package wherein a plastic container includes a neck and a spout extending axially outwardly through said neck and the neck includes internal threads that are engaged by external threads on a closure which projects beyond the finish to accommodate the spout. The finish of the container includes an axially extending flexible wall. Interengaging ratchets are provided between a flange on the closure and the flexible wall of a container and are operable to normally permit rotation of the closure to apply the closure to the container but prevent rotation of the closure for removing the closure from the container. When the flexible wall is flexed at points spaced from the ratchet, the wall is deformed sufficiently to prevent the ratchet on the wall and the closure from engaging so that the closure can be rotated to remove the closure from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 4940167
    Abstract: A child resistant dispensing closure comprising a first part having a base wall and a peripheral skirt adapted to be threaded onto a container. The peripheral skirt includes interengaging portions that engage portions of the container to prevent removal from the container. The closure also includes a second part or lid connected to the first part by an integral hinge and having a base wall, peripheral skirt and a closing portion adapted to extend into a nozzle on the base wall of the first part when the second part is moved into overlying relationship to the first part. Snap lugs on the second part engage bead segments on the firt part to hold the second part in closed position. The diameter of the skirt of the first part includes a radial flange that extends circumferentially about most of the periphery of the skirt. The flange is connected integrally to an outer radially deflectable wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Fillmore, Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 4917269
    Abstract: A liquid containing and dispensing package comprising a hollow plastic container having a neck comprising an upwardly extending integral dispensing spout, an integral web extending radially outwardly from the lower end of the dispensing spout and a cylindrical wall spaced radially outwardly of the spout and encircling the spout. The cylindrical wall has an internal thread, a closure having a base wall and peripheral wall with an external thread applied to the container. The closure includes an annular flexible sealing ring that engages the inner surface of the cylindrical wall and flexes upwardly to provide a seal. A sealing ring extends radially outwardly intermediate the peripheral wall and engages the top of the cylindrical wall when the closure is threaded onto container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuchs, William E. Fillmore, Eugene F. Haffner
  • Patent number: D458138
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: D583236
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Rexam Closure Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: D583237
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Rexam Closure Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: D608201
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Rexam Closure Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: D615864
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Rexam Closure Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuchs
  • Patent number: D354917
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Maximillian Kusz, Donald P. Deubel, Timothy J. Fuchs, William H. Connery, III, Kenneth E. Fuller, Kenneth T. Yearwood
  • Patent number: D355131
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Maximillian Kusz, Donald P. Deubel, Timothy J. Fuchs, William H. Connery, III, Kenneth E. Fuller, Kenneth T. Yearwood, Donald H. Stuhldreier