Closure Pivoted About Receptacle Opening Patents (Class 215/235)
  • Patent number: 5735418
    Abstract: A closing device for containers is made of plastic with a tiltable lid linked to a lid support to be attached to the lid or to the container where it can be moved via a hinged connection from a closed position to an open position. The closing device also has a spring on one side of the lid, and a lid support or the container on the other side. The spring is arranged with respect to the tilting axis of the lid which is defined by the hinged connection such that the lid is displaced from the closed position to the open position after having passed a dead center position, due to the pre-stress of the spring. The lid and the lid support or container each have at least one integrally linked abutment. The abutments come into contact with each other in the open position of the lid as a result of being urged into the contact position by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Erb, Stephan Sattler, Albert Wohland
  • Patent number: 5697509
    Abstract: An all-plastic, hinged, tamper-evidencing closure includes an upper closure surface or top with a hinge formed therein. The hinge may be a straight line, or curved or arcuate so as to provide a snap-action for opening and closing. The closure includes a peripherally depending skirt which has structure for removably retaining the closure on a container, such as a snap head or threads. Additionally, the skirt includes tamper-evidencing structure. The closure top surface may be planar, concave or convex, or it may be initially planar, but when subject to vacuum or pressure it becomes concave or convex, respectively. This latter feature provide a visual indicator that the vacuum seal or pressure seal of the container is intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Anchor Hocking Packaging Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 5690241
    Abstract: A removal resistant closure cap for a container having a standard threaded neck is disclosed. The cap does not have a thread complementary to the container neck thread but has an inwardly projecting circumferential bead with an intersecting projection extending downwardly from the bead at the helix angle of the container neck thread. When the container neck is engaged by the cap with a threading rotation, the cap projection will engage the container neck thread, and the cap bead will snap over the container neck thread, permanently retaining in the cap on the container neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Rexam Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5642824
    Abstract: A closure is provided for a container opening. The closure includes a base for mounting to the container and a lid movable between a closed position and an open position. The lid and base are connected by a bistable, snap-action hinge structure of the type that includes a web having a central portion between two wider ends wherein an arcuate film hinge connects the base to the web along one side of the web between the ends and wherein an arcuate film hinge connects the lid to the web along another side of the web between the ends. The hinge structure includes an abutment surface located so that when the lid is in a closed position, the abutment surface extends adjacent the web's central portion from an elevation adjacent one of the film hinges to an elevation that is preferably adjacent or higher than the other film hinge. The abutment surface is contacted by the web's central portion as the lid is closed or opened whereby the position of the web is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Hess, III, Nicholas J. Jelich, Bruce M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5628962
    Abstract: An analyzing apparatus has a movable container holding table on which a plurality of liquid containers are arranged. Each liquid container includes a container body accommodating a liquid such as a reagent, an opening portion, and a cap hinged to the container body. The analyzing apparatus further has a cap manipulator device including a hook for manipulating the cap so as to open and close the opening portion of the liquid container. The liquid in the liquid container whose opening portion is opened is aspirated through the opening portion and delivered to a liquid receiving container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kanbara, Hiroyasu Uchida
  • Patent number: 5620107
    Abstract: A cap comprises a cap body and a top lid, which are united by a hinge. A rubber-like elastic member is provided on the cap body such as to be elastically deformed between the cap body and the top when the top lid is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 5605240
    Abstract: Cap moulded in one piece, comprising a ring (7) having on the inside a bead (10) for attaching it to the neck (1) of the container to be capped, a stopper (8) joined by a hinge (15) to said ring (7) and having a sealing skirt (13), and a tamperproof strip (9) joining the stopper (8) to the ring (7) until the first time the cap is opened. To cap a container having a neck (1) with a single attachment flange (3), the stopper (8) includes an annular bearing surface (12) bearing on the upper edge (5) of the neck and surrounding said skirt (13), said skirt (13) projecting from said bearing surface (12) over a length (1) at least equal to the distance h.sub.1 between the lower side (4) of the flange (3) and the upper edge (5) of the neck, and the hinge is offset relative to said annular bearing surface (12) towards the ring (7) by an amount (h.sub.2) at least equal to said distance (h.sub.1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Rical S, A,
    Inventor: Bernard Guglielmini
  • Patent number: 5578494
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for opening and closing a cap pivotally mounted on a container for storing reagents for use in an automated analytical instrument. The cap has one end for sealing the container and a tab extending from the other end for pivoting the cap. The method comprises the steps of positioning a closed container adjacent an actuating device mounted on the analytical system. The method further comprises the steps of projecting the actuating device against the top of the tab to pivotally open the cap to a position sufficiently vertical for aspirating reagent from the container, and retracting the actuating device from the cap to a position above the pivotal mounting thereof. The method comprises the final step of causing relative motion between the cap and the actuating device so that the actuating device drags along the top of the cap pivotally closing the cap to provide a sufficient seal on the container preventing evaporation of the reagent therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Frederic L. Clark, Kendall B. Hendrick, Richard R. Martin, Larry W. Moore, William J. Raymoure, Paul R. Schrier, Edna S. Walker, Donny R. Walker, Gary E. Winter, Kevin M. Cloonan, David A. Yost, John M. Clemens, William J. Kanewske, III, Douglas D. McDowell, Carl M. Oleksak, William D. Rumbaugh, B. Jane Smith, James A. Vaught, Apparao Tayi, Robert A. Wohlford, James E. Mitchell, Robert B. Hance, Peter A. Lagocki, Richard A. Merriam, Charles D. Pennington, Linda S. Schmidt, Adrian M. Spronk, Richard L. Vickstrom, William E. Watkins, III, Gilbert Clift, Alyn K. Stanton, David B. Hills
  • Patent number: 5577625
    Abstract: A cap for a container having a body and a closure. The body has a side wall and an adjoining top. The Side wall has means to let gases escape from the container to ambient. The top has an interior and at least one recess on the interior. The body further has a a line juxtaposed to the interior of the top. The interior and the liner are pierced by a hole through which a tubular part extends from the body. The sealing means maintains the liner pressed against the interior of the top in a leak-tight manner. The closure is a flip-top cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: James C. Baird, Johan W. Declerk, Jorgen Hoernaert, Nady Bilani, Joseph F. Deflander
  • Patent number: 5558239
    Abstract: A snap-on, plastic hinged closure in a single piece having a bottom part and a lid interconnected by an integral hinge in an area of superimposed outer walls of the bottom part and lid, as well as by at least one intermediate element that ensures the snap-on effect. The hinge includes at least two non-intersecting pivot axes. A pressure-resistant tilting element is arranged between two adjacent pivot axes, so that during opening or closing, the first bottom part and the tilting element, then the tilting element and the lid partially pivot around the corresponding pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Alfatechnic Patent AG
    Inventor: Werner F. Dubach
  • Patent number: 5540890
    Abstract: The present invention is a capped-closure mounted on a container for storing reagents for use in an automated analytical instrument having an actuating device mounted thereon. The capped-closure comprises a base being generally cylindrical, wherein the base has one end opening to the container and the other end having an opening through which the reagents can be aspirated. The capped-closure further comprises a lever assembly pivotally mounted on the base. The lever assembly has one end which forms a cap operable to seal the opening the base sufficiently tightly to prevent evaporation from the container. The other end of the lever assembly forms a tab operable to pivot the lever assembly to a substantially perpendicular position with opening of the base when depressed for exposing the opening of the base to a device for aspirating the reagent from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Frederick L. Clark, Kendall B. Hendrick, Larry W. Moore, Kevin M. Cloonan, William J. Kanewske, III, Douglas D. McDowell, Richard L. Vickstrom, William E. Watkins, III, Gilbert Clift
  • Patent number: 5540343
    Abstract: A locking cap (1) with a snap hinge (4) and that attains a structural solution which is favourable by using a hinge strap that (6) changes into a crosspiece (8) via a thin spot (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Robert Finke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Clemens Schumacher
  • Patent number: 5501348
    Abstract: A cap comprises a cap body and a top lid, which are united by a hinge. A rubber-like elastic member is provided on the cap body and/or the top lid such as to be elastically deformed between the cap body and the top lid when the top lid is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 5494185
    Abstract: A plastic closure having a lower part attachable to a container, and a cap which is connected with the lower part by a main film hinge. A spring element engages the lower part and the cap, and also bridges an axis of rotation of the main film hinge and thus generates a snap effect. The main film hinge extends continuously through an area in which the main film hinge is bridged by the spring element. In a closed state of the plastic closure, each spring element is hidden completely within the closed closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Createchnic AG
    Inventor: Werner F. Dubach
  • 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: 5482172
    Abstract: A container with dual dispensers for allowing easy and complete dispensing of the container contents from either end of the container. In a first embodiment the container is characterized by a receptacle provided with a top dispenser on the upper end and a bottom dispenser on the lower end. The dispensers each include a pivoting lid or spout which reversibly seals a dispensing hole provided on the corresponding top or bottom surface of the container. In a second embodiment the top dispenser is characterized by a pivoting lid hinged at substantially the midpoint of the container top surface. In a third embodiment the top dispenser includes a spout pivoted to the top surface of the container and in a fourth embodiment the top dispenser is characterized by a threadably-mounted closure which pivotally carries a lid for reversibly sealing a dispensing hole in the top surface of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: C. Calvin Braddock
  • Patent number: 5464112
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tamper-evident closure cap for a container having a neck and an opening defined in the neck. The closure cap of the invention includes an annular skirt member adapted to be secured to the neck of the container to prevent removal of the closure cap from the container, and a closure member hingedly connected to the skirt member for pivotal movement between a closed position whereat the closure member closes the opening of the container and an open position whereat the closure member permits access to the opening. A manually graspable tab is fixedly connected to the closure member for moving same from the closed position to the open position. The closure cap further includes a tamper-indicating member removably connected to the skirt member in overlying relation with respect to the tab and adapted to prohibit initial opening of the closure member prior to removal of the tamper indicating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Crealise Conditionnement Inc. - Crealise Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Guillot
  • Patent number: 5447247
    Abstract: A closure cap for the sterile sealing of a pharmaceutical bottle is disclosed. The bottle is closed with a rubber elastic sealing element that is covered by a flanged cap having a lid region and a flanged border that covers the bottle neck and is connected with the bottle neck in a border zone below the border of the bottle neck. The lid region is covered by a plastic lid and is connected to the plastic lid in its center region at a first attachment area that is enclosed by a partially circular tear line. The plastic lid is provided with a cord-like predetermined bending line. The lid region and the plastic lid are also connected to each other outside the tear line with a second attachment area, and the groove orthogonally intersects an imaginary connection line connecting the centers of the first and second attachment areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Firma Pohl GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Derksen
  • Patent number: 5439038
    Abstract: An apparatus for repressurizing a partially emptied carbonated beverage bottle, comprises a stationary pumping station mountable against a wall or under a kitchen cabinet, and a set of bottle caps adapted for use on the pumping station. The station includes a pump operated by pushing a movable front panel section, a filling slot equipped with a air-supplying cannula, and a slot for holding the set of caps. Each cap has a resiliently self-sealing opening designed to be penetrated by the cannula when the bottle is inserted into the filling slot, and a pouring orifice closed by a thumb-activated and spring-biased stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Consumer Product Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett W. Lewis, Jeffrey M. Jablon, James L. Labelle
  • Patent number: 5437383
    Abstract: A closure cap construction for a container including a cap body adapted to be mounted on the container and having a discharge orifice, and a sealing cap for selectively closing off the discharge orifice thereof. A snap-action or toggle-type dead-center hinge connects the sealing cap to the cap body for movement between an opening and closing position. The cap body and sealing cap have cooperable engageable sealing surfaces providing a complete peripheral seal therebetween when the sealing cap is disposed in its closing position on the cap body. The arrangement is such that the snap-action hinge is disposed completely exteriorly of the sealing surfaces so as to not impair the integrity of the seal provided thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Gene Stull
  • Patent number: 5435456
    Abstract: A plastic snap hinge closure having a film hinge which connects a lower part to an upper part. At least one tension element having two opposite end portions is connected to a closure wall of the lower part and the upper part. Each tension element preferably has a cross section with an overall sinuous shape. A continuously elastic strap section of each tension element has an inner side and an outer side. The inner side has a plurality of inner grooves which are spaced and preferably positioned approximately parallel with respect to each other. The outer side has a plurality of outer grooves which are spaced and preferably positioned approximately parallel with respect to each other. An inner land is positioned between two adjacent inner grooves and an outer land is positioned between two adjacent outer grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Createchnic AG
    Inventor: Werner F. Dubach
  • Patent number: 5423442
    Abstract: A cap structure having an elastic turnover cover. Body 1 of the cap structure is closed at the top of its first circumferential wall 2 with a cover 5 having a second circumferential wall 7 depending from the outer circumference of its top wall 6 by placing the lower end of the second circumferential wall 7 on the upper end of the first circumferential wall 2. The first and second circumferential walls 2 and 7 have their individual backs connected at their upper and lower ends by a hinge 10. The upper and lower portions of the backs of the first and second circumferential walls 2,7 are so connected through an elastic band 12 that the cover 5 can be opened or closed by the hinge 10. The hinge 10 is integrally molded of a synthetic resin at the back of the elastic band 16. This eliminates notches as a mold parting mark, which might otherwise be left in the cover when the cap structure of this kind is to be integrally molded of a synthetic resin in accordance with the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamitsu Nozawa, Takaharu Tasaki
  • Patent number: 5417350
    Abstract: A closure including an improved hinge includes a cap member selectively coupleable to a container to cover an opening in the container. The cap member includes a first substantially planar member, a depending skirt and an aperture formed through the first substantially planar member. A solid member integrally formed with the cap member projects out of the first substantially planar member. The solid member includes an upper surface and two opposed side surfaces, with each of the opposed side surfaces having an indentation formed therein. The closure further includes a flip top having a plug wherein, when the flip top is in a closed position, the plug seals the aperture formed in the first substantially planar member and the flip top covers substantially all of the first planar member, wherein the flip top includes a cut-out area to accommodate the solid member so that, when the flip top is in the closed position, the flip top and the upper surface of the solid member form a substantially continuous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Kerr Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James Y. C. Koo
  • Patent number: 5402900
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a child resistant snap cap container device which includes a container, a collar ring, a snap cap and a spring. The container has a neck with a lower retainer bead and an upper retainer bead thereon and has at least one stop located below the lower retainer bead and at least one derailer lift located above the lower retainer. The collar ring is fitted onto the neck and has undercut ledges located on its inside so as to fit under the lower retainer bead of the neck and in horizontal alignment with the stop(s). The snap cap has a snap lip and has derailers located on its inside wall. It is hinged to the collar ring. The cap is adapted to fit onto the neck with the derailers being located below the upper retainer bead. There is at least one spring located between the ring and the shoulder of the container which biases the ring upwardly such that the container cannot be opened merely by rotation but must be pushed down and rotated to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 5395015
    Abstract: A two piece dispensing closure for a container with a dispensing orifice in the front section and an elevated rear land that has a pivot recess adapted to receive a separate lid with a recess or groove which enables the lid to be rotated to about 150.degree. from the closed position. The front section of the lid is generally circular with a pivot post at its rear. A chamfered elevated land which saves plastic material and is easier to mold, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventors: Robert J. Bolen, Jr., Thomas R. Bolen
  • Patent number: 5392938
    Abstract: A one-piece snap hinge closure of plastic having a lower part and an upper part connected with each other via a film hinge. The intactness of the closure is assured by a security band. The security band is injection-molded to the upper part via bars which are used as predetermined breaking points. A bar on the lower part is engaged with the security band. The bar on the lower part can be placed in such a way that in the security position of the closure it is attached behind a tab on the upper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Createchnic Ag
    Inventor: Werner F. Dubach
  • Patent number: 5386918
    Abstract: Disclosed is a closure for a container, the closure having a lid hinged to a base. The base of the closure has structure for locking the closure on a dispensing nozzle of the container. The closure has tamper evidence structure, to indicate whether the lid and base have been separated (that is, whether the closure has previously been opened). The tamper evidence structure includes a tear band; the closure cannot be opened without removal of the tear band. The closure is configured, and positioned relative to the dispensing nozzle, such that relatively little area of the closure contacts the material dispensed from the container as the material is dispensed, thereby reducing absorption of material components (e.g., flavors and/or oils of the material dispensed) by the closure. The top surface of the closure lid is configured such that the container and closure can be stably stood on end on the closure lid when the lid is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    Inventors: George J. Neveras, Claude Blasin
  • Patent number: 5368176
    Abstract: A snap hinge closure has a lid which pivots about a main axis of rotation with film hinges aligned therewith. When the lid is closed, no parts of the hinge project beyond the surfaces of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Zeller Plastik GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Thanisch
  • Patent number: 5361920
    Abstract: A cap structure having an elastic turnover cover. Body 1 of the cap structure is closed at the top of its first circumferential wall 2 with a cover 5 having a second circumferential wall 7 depending from the outer circumference of its top wall 6 by placing the lower end of the second circumferential wall 7 on the upper end of the first circumferential wall 2. The first and second circumferential walls 2 and 7 have their individual backs connected at their upper and lower ends by a hinge 10. The upper and lower portions of the backs of the first and second circumferential walls 2,7 are so connected through an elastic band 12 that the cover 5 can be opened or closed by the hinge 10. The hinge 10 is integrally molded of a synthetic resin at the back of the elastic band 12. This eliminates notches as a mold parting mark, which might otherwise be left in the cover when the cap structure of this kind is to be integrally molded of a synthetic resin in accordance with the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamitsu Nozawa, Takaharu Tasaki
  • Patent number: 5358151
    Abstract: A one-piece dispenser cap adapted for the controlled dispensing of liquids in droplet form is particularly configured to enable the use of a living hinge and closure cover combination that is of convenient size to reduce the complexity and cost of construction of the device. The described cap construction includes a funnel surface for directing fluid for discharge whereby dispensing of substantially all of the fluid from the container is insured. Appropriate sealing structure prevents contamination of the contained liquid and use of the living hinge uncomplicatedly prevents interference by the closure cover with liquid as it is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Universal Container Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Strasenburgh
  • Patent number: 5358130
    Abstract: A one-piece closure for dispensing product from a container has a cap secured to the container and a lid connected to the cap by a support arm through an integrally molded hinge. The support arm is pivoted by the hinge between a pair of upstanding projections on the end wall of the cap. Ribs projecting laterally from the support arm engage the projections to maintain the lid opened when the container is inverted to dispense product. When the lid is pushed closed, the ribs deform to allow the support arm to pass between the projections. In one embodiment, side edges of the ribs engage upwardly facing cylindrical camming surfaces on the projections. In another embodiment, the outer surfaces of the ribs engage confronting flat surfaces on the two projections. In the closed position of the lid, the ribs in both embodiments are received in recesses in the projections so that they do not become permanently deformed and loose their effectiveness over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Mengeu, Herbert V. Dutt
  • Patent number: 5356018
    Abstract: A plastic closure comprising a base part fixed on a container and a cap connected to said base part in one piece by a hinge. A gripping area is disposed diametrically opposite said hinge and is at least partially covered by a security element disposed on said base part. Securing means are provided on one part of said closure and on said security element, said securing means forming an interlocking connection prior to the first opening of the closure. The securing means comprise interlocking means disposed on the security element and directed toward the casing wall of the cap, which fit interlockingly with at least one corresponding recess in the cap aligned therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Createchnic AG
    Inventor: Werner F. Dubach
  • Patent number: 5335802
    Abstract: The closure (1) consists of a tubular base portion (2) and a cap (3). Considered in the direction of the axis (17) of the base portion (2), in the closed position the outer contour of the cap (3) is within the interior contour of the base portion (2). Cap and base portion are connected to each other in a single unit by a snap hinge and injection molded in a closed position. Extending from the snap hinge, cap and base portion are additionally connected together by a safety strap (40), which is to safeguard against unintentional premature opening of the closure (tamper evidence). The closure enables a marked productivity increase during manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Creanova AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Brach, Klaus Thanisch
  • Patent number: 5332112
    Abstract: A bottle having a vertical partition to divide the bottle interior into two compartments of equal size, a base extending from the bottom of the bottle to support the bottle, a pair of neck seal panels hinged to the partition at the mouth of the bottle for sealing the mouth openings into the respective bottle compartments and a cap threaded on the neck of the bottle for maintaining the neck seal panels in closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: Elisha Blocker
  • Patent number: 5322176
    Abstract: A plastic snap hinge having a lower part and a cap connected to each other by a single or multi-part main hinge and a flexible element which generates a snap action. The flexible element is connected to the lower part and the cap by film hinges integral with the lower part and the cap. The flexible element has a shape which is folded repeatedly and which is such that a straight line penetrating the flexible element intersects the flexible element at least at three points. The construction allows the design of plastic tops with a flat, cap having an extremely large angle of opening and a strong snap action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Sreatechnic AG
    Inventor: Werner F. Dubach
  • Patent number: 5314093
    Abstract: A toggle-action container dispensing closure is provided for manipulation between a closed, non-dispensing orientation and an open, dispensing orientation. The closure includes an actuator mounted on a body secured to the container. The actuator is tiltable between a closed position and an open position, and the actuator has an engaging tab. A locking ring is mounted on the body for rotation relative to the body and actuator. The ring defines an abutment member for engaging the actuator engaging tab. In one position, the locking ring abutment member lies under the actuator engaging the tab to prevent pivoting of the actuator to the open position. When the locking ring is rotated to another position, the locking ring abutment member clears the actuator engaging tab to permit pivoting of the actuator to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Gross, John R. Nottingham, Dale A. Panasewicz
  • Patent number: 5289930
    Abstract: An evaporation closure is disclosed. One embodiment of the closure includes a cap, made of pliable material, which in turn includes a top wall having an opening, a skirt downwardly depending from the top wall and having a threadless internal wall adapted to slip on and sealingly engage a container, and biasing means integral with the skirt; and an elongated arm, which in turn includes a means for sealing the opening, pivotally attached to the cap for movement between a first position wherein the sealing means seals the opening and a second position wherein the sealing means does not seal the opening, the arm being biased toward the first position by the biasing means. Such a closure is useful for minimizing evaporation from containers, particularly automated clinical analyzer reagent bottles.A kit including in packaged combination component parts of the evaporation closure is also disclosed. Such a kit is useful for conveniently assembling the evaporation closures of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Inouye
  • Patent number: 5273177
    Abstract: A press-to-open dispensing closure with a flexible arcual top surface(22) in convex orientation is provided which includes a flexible, aperture cover(26) having an arcuate hinging connection to the top surface. The hinging connection of the appeture cover articulates between a convexly arcuate closed condition and a concavely arcuate open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: Phillip J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5257708
    Abstract: A plastic snap hinge closure having tension elements disposed on a plastic closure including a lower part and an upper part which are connected with each other via a main hinge A desired snap effect is achieved by means of lengths of the tension elements which can be changed by the action of a pull. The tension elements extend in planes between the attachment points. Each tension element has partial sections which cause the change in length. The partial sections are either C-shaped, U-shaped, or O-shaped. The tension elements permit a maximum percentage change of length of each tension element of approximately 10% to 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Createchnic AG
    Inventor: Werner F. Dubach
  • Patent number: 5236107
    Abstract: A dispensing cap construction having a closure button which is pivotally mounted in the upper portion of a tubular cap body. The closure button and the cap body have communicating discharge passages, and the button has an orifice at the end of its discharge passage. The button orifice is normally closed by the upper wall of the cap body, and such wall is resilient and has a bulge which extends into the button orifice to act as a detent thereby to minimize the likelihood of the botton becoming inadvertently opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Stull Closure Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lambert Spaanstra, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5221017
    Abstract: A unitary closure assembly having a cap body that has an upper portion with a substantially conical drop dispensing tip including a ringed protrusion disposed around the base of said tip, and a lower portion that can be secured to an opening in a container. The cap body has a lid secured to it by a hinge. The lid comprises a substantially conical raised portion that is adapted to enclose and cover the drop dispensing tip on the cap body. The lid has a raised ring disposed on its inner side which seals the opening in the drop dispensing tip, and a ringed depression in the inner side which mates with the ringed protrusion on the drop dispensing tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Wheaton Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Cistone, Larry A. Page
  • Patent number: 5219100
    Abstract: A closure for a container opening including a closure body having a predetermined configuration, external periphery and a first aperture formed therethrough, a member for connecting the closure body about the container opening, a cover member reciprocally mounted about a portion of the external periphery of the closure body, the cover member including a first lid member hingedly connected thereto for rotation with respect to the cover member and the closure body and closing engagement with the first aperture, and a first locking member for releasably retaining the first lid member a predetermined distance away from the first aperture to maintain the first aperture in an uncovered condition during dispensing of the container contents, the first locking member including at least one engagement wing integral with the first lid member for engaging a portion of the closure body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Creative Packaging Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Beck, Terry E. Kubitz, Alex Kutaj
  • Patent number: 5211301
    Abstract: A spooning closure generally comprising a skirt a top, a spooning opening and a hinged spooning lid which is adapted to pivot from a closed position to an open spooning position. A locking means is provided, which is adapted to securely and releasably lock the spooning lid in the closed position. The locking means comprises a tongue and a friction engaging slot. It may further comprise an arcuate latch projection which extends at an acute angle to the spooning lid bottom surface and a cooperating keeper which partially defines the spooning opening and is formed by an arcuate cantilever. Also provided is a reinforcing web extending from the bottom of the spooning lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Magenta Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Groya, Richard W. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5207783
    Abstract: The present invention provides a one piece plastic closure of the type including a cap part, a tear band which is removable and an anchor band. A hinge member connects the anchor band to the cap part so that when the tear band is removed, the cap part can hinge relative to the anchor band. The anchor band is intended to be retained by the container to which the closure is applied by push fitting so that the anchor band cannot be removed from the container. The invention further provides weakened sections in the anchor band which will fracture if an attempt is made to pry the closure from the container without removal of the tear band, but which will remain intact when the closure is applied to the container by push fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Johnsen & Jorgensen Plastics Limited
    Inventor: George W. Burton
  • Patent number: 5205424
    Abstract: There is disclosed a child resistant cap and container assemblage comprising a container and a cap member that is secured to the container so that it can not be removed without either breaking the cap member or damaging the seal that joins the cap member to the container. The cap member is provided with a nozzle having an internal locking means so that the contents of the container can not be accessed when the container is in its normal upright position. To access the contents in the container, the assemblage is titled to disengage the locking means enabling the nozzle to be opened and permitting a user to access the contents of the container using only one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Ruben C. Gaspar
  • Patent number: 5203838
    Abstract: The assembly of a closure (3) and a receptacle (1) having a neck (2) of plastic material surmounted by a tamperproof cover 98). The closure (3) comprises an opening capsule (3) provided with a base (4), and the base (4) and the neck (2) are configured for snap-on engagement after the commencement of insertion in full cross-section of a fitting device (25) onto the cover (8), and, lower down, a screwing device, these devices (15 and 25) allowing the cover (8) to be ruptured and to be fitted into the neck (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Cebal
    Inventor: Bernard Schneider
  • Patent number: 5190176
    Abstract: A child resistant dispensing closure having a cap and a spout mounted thereon for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. The upper surface of the spout is provided with a plurality of ribs, each of which has a distinct energy plane. Only one rib, usually, the rearmost, allows sufficient purchase to produce the force vector necessary to initiate rotation of the spout when a manual force is applied thereto. The cap includes a cylindrical skirt with a frusto-conical section extending upwardly therefrom. A protective flange extends upwardly about the perimeter of the upper end of the frusto-conical section to deter unauthorized access to the spout. The upper wall of said cap is canted at an acute angle to a horizontal plane passing through the cylindrical skirt of the cap, so that the spout is further recessed within the protective flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Polytop Corporation
    Inventor: Donald H. Lavange
  • Patent number: 5150802
    Abstract: A cap apparatus includes a cylindrical cap body hingedly mounting a lid thereto, wherein the lid includes a rigid lid arm projecting exteriorly of the lid, including an "L" shaped spring leg arranged to maintain the lid arm in an orthogonal orientation relative to a conduit bore directed through the cap body. A conical piercing cone is mounted to a bottom surface of the lid projecting interiorly of the conduit bore to effect piercing of a seal member of an associated container, wherein the cap body includes a plurality of spring clips arranged to secure the cap body relative to the associated container. A modification of the invention includes the cap member apparatus defined as spaced flanges utilizing a piercing cone coaxially aligned with a presser plate to effect the clamping and piercing of a fluid container therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Christopher M. Jeffers
  • Patent number: 5148912
    Abstract: A cap closing member for a container opening includes a main body and a lid having the same cross-sectional shape, rear surfaces of the main body and lid being connected to each other by two resilient belt plates. Each of the resilient belt plates forms a trapezoid with top sides that are oppositely faced to each other and connected to the rear surface of the lid. Each of the resilient belt plates is connected to the rear surface of the main body and a rear surface of the lid, so that the resilient belt plates do not project rearwardly from the circular cross-section of the lid or the circular cross-section of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takamitsu Nozawa
  • Patent number: 5145646
    Abstract: A reagent bottle and cap assembly includes a bottle which may be positioned in current apparatus in such a manner that the removal of fluids is maximized. The cap has a flip-top with a live hinge and live over-center spring for holding the cap in an open position and includes a conical core which is in communication with a wiper blade for breaking the meniscus or fluid seal between the core and the neck to enhance the flow of fluids which have collected on the cap back into the bottle for minimizing evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: James T. Tyranski