Separate Opening Means Associated With Closure Patents (Class 215/303)
  • Patent number: 9802809
    Abstract: Complementary couplers useful in providing a coupling through which liquids may be transferred from a first storage reservoir or tank to a second storage reservoir or tank, which can be an on-board fuel tank of a motorized vehicle. There is a first coupling which is configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of a receiving vessel, fuel tank, etc. and a second coupling which is intended to be in fluid communication with the contents of a storage reservoir containing a chemical, liquid fuel, etc. The disclosure also includes a process for charging a fuel reservoir on board of a motorized vehicle from a remote reservoir, wherein the vapor in the fuel reservoir is displaced by an equal volume of fuel delivered from said remote reservoir, and wherein the vapor in said fuel reservoir is simultaneously caused to be transferred to said remote reservoir, thus permitting no escape of the vapor from said fuel reservoir to the surrounding atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: Robert L. Schultz, Jr., Alexander G. Murashko, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9346663
    Abstract: Complementary couplers useful in providing a coupling through which liquids may be transferred from a first storage reservoir or tank to a second storage reservoir or tank, which can be an on-board fuel tank of a motorized vehicle. There is a first coupling which is configured to be in fluid communication with the interior of a receiving vessel, fuel tank, etc. and a second coupling which is intended to be in fluid communication with the contents of a storage reservoir containing a chemical, liquid fuel, etc. The disclosure also includes a process for charging a fuel reservoir on board of a motorized vehicle from a remote reservoir, wherein the vapor in the fuel reservoir is displaced by an equal volume of fuel delivered from said remote reservoir, and wherein the vapor in said fuel reservoir is simultaneously caused to be transferred to said remote reservoir, thus permitting no escape of the vapor from said fuel reservoir to the surrounding atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SCHULTZ ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Schultz, Jr., Alexander G. Murashko, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8875922
    Abstract: A liquid container is in the shape of a bottle with an elongated section at its top in a first position and is convertible to a glass or goblet in a second position with the elongated section at the bottom. The container includes a first end that has a closed end; a second end that has an open end wider than the elongated section, a first body that includes the elongated section, a second body that includes a hollow container, and a closure, which is a detachable closure adapted to seal the open end of the second end in the first position and to be detached from the open end of the second end in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: David Bernstein
  • Patent number: 8833578
    Abstract: A bottle assembly is disclosed having a container component and a lid assembly. The lid assembly includes an outer lid and an inner lid that are aligned with each other and with a rim section of the bottle assembly in order to be removed. The bottle assembly advantageously provides that no complex threading, ratcheting mechanism or push tabs are required to provide locking functionality while still providing beneficial child-resistant safety features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Benjamin Shell-Schnitzer
  • Patent number: 8720717
    Abstract: A container for food and beverages with a fully opening end panel is provided. An end closure of the container has a generally circular end panel defined by a score line. A rotational opening tool is providing for contacting the end panel and separating the end panel from the score line upon rotation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Jason M. Kaanta, Mark A. Jacober, Howard C. Chasteen, Michael D. Richardson
  • Patent number: 8701917
    Abstract: An opening device for straws for liquid food containers enables a straw hole to be easily opened by piercing with a straw while avoiding easy leakage or breakage due to external force from vibrations or the like during delivery. The device includes a base and a main body, formed from packaging material, both sides of the base paper of which have been laminated with thermoplastic resin and a top, formed from thermoplastic resin, which is joined to the top of the main body. An opening of the opening device for straws, integrated with the top section, is provided with a plurality of step sections and between-step sections on the front and back surfaces. The front between-step sections and the back between-step sections overlap at the edge of each of the step sections, with the thickness at the edge of the between-step sections being thinner than that of the steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Koshaku Ito, Yasuyuki Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8511493
    Abstract: A liquid container can be present and used in at least two different positions. The liquid container may be a wine container, which can be a wine bottle in its first position and also be a wine glass in its second position. A method of serving a liquid includes placing a container in a first position in which the container serves as a bottle and converting the bottle into a glass or goblet without reassembling any part of the container by placing the container in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: David Bernstein
  • Patent number: 8434639
    Abstract: A push button, flip top closure for a container, includes a base portion, a push button actuator situated on the base portion and twistingly mounted thereon to pivotally rotate with respect to the base portion, a central cap having an orifice formed through the thickness thereof, the push button actuator at least partially surrounding the central cap, and a lid hingedly mounted to the base portion and positionable between at least a closed position to cover the orifice formed in the central cap and an open position to uncover the orifice formed in the central cap. The push button actuator selectively forces the lid to pivot to the open position to allow the contents of the container on which the closure is mounted to pass through the orifice in the central cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: C & N Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Brooks R. Markert
  • Publication number: 20120233968
    Abstract: A liquid container can be present and used in at least two different positions. The liquid container may be a wine container, which can be a wine bottle in its first position and also be a wine glass in its second position. A method of serving a liquid includes placing a container in a first position in which the container serves as a bottle and converting the bottle into a glass or goblet without reassembling any part of the container by placing the container in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: David Bernstein
  • Patent number: 8172102
    Abstract: A cap for use with bottled water dispensing systems. The cap includes a main cap and a liner. The main cap has an opening which receives and seals against a probe. The liner is gripped between the main cap and the bottle neck and has a outside part and an inner movable part. The inner movable part is linked to the outer part by a large connecting section that serves as a hinge, and breakable or frangible connecting section. When the bottle is lowered onto the dispensing system, the probe enters into the opening in the main cap, breaks the frangible connection, and pushes the inner movable part open like a flap. The liner, at the location of the large connecting section, is resilient such that the inner movable part tends to close when the bottle is removed from the dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hidding
  • Patent number: 8079485
    Abstract: A closure for sealing a container, in particular a container that, prior to first use by a consumer, includes an opening or aperture covered by a seal, wherein the closure is equipped with a perforating member adapted to open or break the seal, thereby enabling the consumer to access the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Brad Scott Berndt
  • Patent number: 7824921
    Abstract: A urine sample is taken by providing to the person a container having a removable cap with an initially unbroken elastomeric septum puncturable by a blunt tipped pipette and self-resealing following withdrawal of the pipette from the septum. The urine specimen is deposited in the container and the cap replaced. The container with the specimen is conveyed to a laboratory location for analysis where the septum is punctured by manually pressing the blunt tip of a plastic pipette against the septum with sufficient force to puncture through the septum and into the container with the tip. A sample of the urine specimen is drawn into the pipette and the pipette tip withdrawn to allow the septum to self-reseal, such that the urine specimen is sampled for analysis without reopening the container cap following replacement of the cap at the specimen collection site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Abner Levy
  • Patent number: 7350656
    Abstract: A cap for use with bottled water dispensing systems. The cap includes a main cap and a liner. The main cap has an opening which receives and seals against a probe. The liner is gripped between the main cap and the bottle neck and has a outside part and an inner movable part. The inner movable part is separated from the outer part by perforations and is connected to the outer part by a large connecting section, which serves as a hinge, and small connecting sections, which serve as frangible ties. When the bottle is lowered onto the dispensing system, the probe enters into the opening in the main cap, breaks the frangible ties, and pushes the inner movable part open like a flap. The liner, at the location of the large connecting section, is resilient such that the inner movable part tends to close when the bottle is removed from the dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Blackhawk Molding Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hidding
  • Patent number: 6783014
    Abstract: A bottle closure having an outer shell with a frusto-conical configuration and a rib-supported threaded inner shell is described. The frusto-conical configuration of the outer shell allows the user to easily pickup the package and grip the closure and remove it from a bottle. The inner shell is threaded to allow the closure to engagingly mate with threads on a bottle or similar container. The inner shell is supported by ribs which face toward the outer shell. The ribs provide that the inner shell can be unscrewed from a threaded core of a manufacturing mold during production without causing noticeable distortion in the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: C. Edward Luker
  • Patent number: 6752965
    Abstract: A closure for containers has a septum of elastomeric material which is self-resealing when punctured by a blunt ended tubular implement to access to the contents of the container. In one application the elastomeric closure is incorporated in a cap for a bottle or vial and is self-resealing after being punctured by a laboratory pipette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Abner Levy
  • Patent number: 6648161
    Abstract: A tank cap has an upper longish handle portion engageable by a user's hand to open and close the cap relative to the tank. The handle also has, on each of its two sides, an indentation into which a screwdriver or the like can be inserted to aid in rotating the cap in the opening direction, the indentation being shaped so that if the inserted screwdriver is moved in the direction corresponding to closing of the cap the screwdriver will be cammed out of the indentation without over-tightening the cap in the closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dolmar GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Vick
  • Patent number: 6609287
    Abstract: An improved cosmetic container cap assembly includes a molded plastic base cap including a wall having an inner surface for mating with a container and an outer surface including a plurality of substantially parallel vertical ribs disposed on the outer surface of the wall. The cosmetic container cap assembly also includes a molded plastic shell sized to surround the outer surface of the base cap and including a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including a plurality of substantially parallel vertical ribs disposed to mate with the vertical ribs of the base cap. The ribs of at least one of the base cap or the shell include a plurality of protruded portions extending from the ribs that plastically deform when the shell is fitted over the outer surface of the base cap to secure the base cap through an interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Sussex Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Evans, Christopher Gieda
  • Publication number: 20030155322
    Abstract: A closure for a container for holding contents therein generally comprises a surface for gripping the closure in order to twist it in either direction to open it. The closure has downwardly projecting teeth on its underside; the container has upwardly projecting teeth, which mate with the downwardly projecting teeth of the closure. An outer ring on the closure circumscribes and holds in place the upper lip of the container in the closed position. Twisting of the closure in either direction causes the closure to be released from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Stull Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Auer, Jameson Stull, Gene Stull
  • Publication number: 20030155321
    Abstract: A bottle and bottle closure assembly for draining a solution contained within a bottle, the bottle closure assembly. The bottle has a base section, a body portion extending from the base and terminating into a neck portion having an outlet through which the solution may pass. A seal is secured to the neck portion so as to cover the opening such that the seal will retain solution within the bottle. A cap member has rupture members designed to assist in the rupture of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Richard W. Bauer, Van W. Huston, Theodore K. Ricks, Thomas D. Jensen, John W. King, Malinda L. McFeaters
  • Patent number: 6571974
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for inhibiting unused adhesive paste held within a commercially available dispensing squeeze tube from becoming unwanted hardened solids trapped within the mouth and nozzle of the squeeze tube. The invention provides a knurled knob or knurled cap griping means for pushing-in, pulling-out, and twisting an elongated spike into the mouth of the squeeze tube so that the spike can either minimize the amount of unwanted hardening of the any unused adhesive in the squeeze tube or to penetrate the resulting unwanted hardened solids at or near the mouth of the squeeze tube so as to create a fluid exit route for any remaining unused paste so that the contents are efficiently stored and used. The knurled knob or knurled cap also provides a safe means of preventing the user from being exposed to any unwanted unused adhesive onto the user's fingers and hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Louis Ferri
  • Patent number: 6568549
    Abstract: A cork extraction device includes a tubular member having a first open end, a second open end and a peripheral wall having an outer threaded surface. The tubular member is positioned over an top end of a bottle. A cover member has a top wall and a perimeter wall extending downward from the top wall. The perimeter wall has an inner threaded surface. The cover member may be positioned over and threadably coupled to the tubular member when the cover member is rotated in a first direction. A corkscrew is elongate and has a first end and a second end. A disc is attached to the first end. The corkscrew is rotated in a second direction such that the second end extends through the top wall of the cover member and into a cork. The cover member is rotated in the second direction and the cork extracted from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen J. Miller
  • Patent number: 6564958
    Abstract: A snap-on or screw type, tamper evident closure having first and second relatively moveable plastic parts (16, 18) which move from an initial position to a new limiting position when the closure is first opened, the new limiting position being visually distinguishable from the initial position to provide the tamper evidence. The two plastics parts are formed in mutually intimate association but have inter-engaging complimentary formations (22, 28, 40, 42) which become irreversibly disengaged on first opening of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey, Philippe Odet, Michael Barrie Simpson, Peter Frank Woodward, Donald E Griffiths, Robert McDonald Gillies
  • Patent number: 6543633
    Abstract: A safety container has a container body of cylindrical shape and having a cap. Opening of the cap is prevented by a safety cover which surrounds the cylindrical body. The safety cover may be removed only by a user gripping the container body through opposed ends of the safety cover using one hang, and gripping the safety cover itself with the other hand. The. configuration of the safety cover is such that a child's hand does not have sufficient span to grip the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Nicola Field
  • Patent number: 6513668
    Abstract: A container and closure assembly, which includes a container and a container cap. The container cap is attached to the neck of the container through the use of an annual securing ring, which is incorporated into the cap and approximates the securing ring in the neck of the bottle and is press fit over the neck of the bottle. The opening of the container is covered with a section of cap that extends some distance into the neck of the container. The container is sealed at the surfaces where the inside of the container neck, the lip of the container neck and the outside of the container neck come in contact with the container cap. The contents of the bottle can be dispensed from the inverted position by rotating the container cap circumferentially with respect to the neck of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick Masterton
  • Publication number: 20020175137
    Abstract: A dispensing cap for a container includes a body defining a dispensing orifice and an opening/closing member. The opening/closing member can be hinged to the body. The cap includes a deformable portion which can deform to uncover a push region of the opening/closing member. The deformable portion can be integral with the body around the deformable portion's entire perimeter. Force applied to the push region causes the opening/closing member to move from a closed position to an open position in which the orifice is at least partly open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: L'OREAL
    Inventor: Guilhem Rousselet
  • Patent number: 6484895
    Abstract: A two stage dispensing cap for a carbonated beverage container is described. The cap has a flip top which is hingedly connected to a collar wherein the collar is rotatable on the container. The cap, upon rotation of the collar, is first opened into a venting position wherein the flip top vents the pressurized contents of the container but remains locked partially closed. Continued rotation of the cap releases the locked flop top to allow the container to be fully opened. A set of cams on the container neck work in conjunction with annular beads to first allow partially opening of the flip top into the venting position and then allowing it to fully open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company, Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Gary V. Montgomery, Joseph M. Ladina
  • Patent number: 6481589
    Abstract: A closure is provided for a container. The closure includes a body which is mounted to the container. The body comprises a first, generally rigid piece which is molded from a material. A second piece is molded from a material onto the first, rigid piece and bonded to the first, rigid piece to define a portion of the periphery of the exterior of the closure, and the interior of the closure for sealing purposes, where desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventors: Cori M. Blomdahl, Susan De Groot
  • Publication number: 20020131902
    Abstract: A closure for containers has a septum of elastomeric material which is self-resealing when punctured by a blunt ended tubular implement to access to the contents of the container. In one application the elastomeric closure is incorporated in a cap for a bottle or vial and is self-resealing after being punctured by a laboratory pipette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Abner Levy
  • Publication number: 20020113032
    Abstract: A closure is provided for a container. The closure includes a body which is mounted to the container. The body comprises a first, generally rigid piece which is molded from a material. A second piece is molded from a material onto the first, rigid piece and bonded to the first, rigid piece to define a portion of the periphery of the exterior of the closure, and the interior of the closure for sealing purposes, where desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Cori M. Blomdahl, Susan De Groot
  • Patent number: 6375021
    Abstract: A self-closing bottle cap having a cover plate (1) that is easily pushed aside with a light touch from a swab stick (17). The cover plate pivots aside and upward on a hinge (6) with an oblique pivot axis (10) that provides an ideal trajectory and gravity component for the cover plate motion. The cover plate is held aside with the swab stick while dipping the swab (18) into the bottle contents. When the swab is removed, the cover plate returns by gravity and closes the bottle. This allows an operator to easily open the bottle for each dipping of the swab, using only one hand with little distraction. The bottle remains closed at all times except briefly during each dip. This minimizes evaporation of chemicals into a working environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen Amram Slenker
  • Patent number: 6361744
    Abstract: A closure for containers has a septum of elastomeric material which is self-resealing when punctured by a blunt ended tubular implement for access to the contents of the container. In one application the elastomeric closure is incorporated in a twist-off cap for a bottle or vial and is self-resealing after being punctured by a laboratory pipette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Abner Levy
  • Publication number: 20020017523
    Abstract: A tank cap has an upper longish handle portion engageable by a user's hand to open and close the cap relative to the tank. The handle also has, on each of its two sides, an indentation into which a screwdriver or the like can be inserted to aid in rotating the cap in the opening direction, the indentation being shaped so that if the inserted screwdriver is moved in the direction corresponding to closing of the cap the screwdriver will be cammed out of the indentation without over-tightening the cap in the closing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: Christian Vick
  • Patent number: 6308849
    Abstract: The cap snaps onto the neck of a container used on a water dispenser and has an inner cylinder, which engages a probe in the dispenser when the container is installed on a dispenser. The end of the inner cylinder is closed by a membrane which is frangible and grooved such that the probe breaks the membrane into a plurality of petals which are displaced and deformed as the probe moves through the cap. The membrane extends into the inner cylinder and is turned inside out as the probe passes through. In a preferred embodiment the membrane has an outer rim, a first frusto-conical portion, a second rim, a second, smaller frusto-conical portion extending in a direction opposite the direction of the first frusto-conical portion and a flat end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Charles Y. J. Kim
  • Publication number: 20010032827
    Abstract: A two stage dispensing cap for a carbonated beverage container is described. The cap has a flip top which is hingedly connected to a collar wherein the collar is rotatable on the container. The cap, upon rotation of the collar, is first opened into a venting position wherein the flip top vents the pressurized contents of the container but remains locked partially closed. Continued rotation of the cap releases the locked flop top to allow the container to be fully opened. A set of cams on the container neck work in conjunction with annular beads to first allow partially opening of the flip top into the venting position and then allowing it to fully open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Gary V. Montgomery, Joseph M. Ladina
  • Patent number: 6213322
    Abstract: A container for photochemical materials has a frangible closure. The frangible closure has a central weakness and a central portion having a thickness and a central portion of greater thickness than the thickness of the central weakness. A radial weakness connects with the central weakness enabling the central weakness to collapse in response to an applied predetermined force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Scott H. Schwallie, Lynn C. Hoover, Gerald L. Johnson, John M. Rzepka
  • Patent number: 6213324
    Abstract: A frangible closure has a closure sheet having a central weakness formed substantially though a medial portion. The central weakness has a thickness and a central portion of greater thickness than the thickness of the central weakness so as to resist shearing of the central weakness. A lateral skirt surrounding the closure has at least a partial radial weakness therebetween for cooperating with the central weakness and enabling the central weakness to fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Scott H. Schwallie, Linn C. Hoover, Gerald L. Johnson, John M. Rzepka
  • Patent number: 6179138
    Abstract: A combination utensil has a one-piece plastic body with a bottle-cap-removing ring and an elongated bottle stopper projecting substantially radially outwardly from the ring. The ring has inclined end faces tapering toward the stopper and an opening positioned eccentrically thereof and extending therethrough between the end faces and defined by a frusticonical wall, the opening being chamfered at the small-diameter end. A metal plate is insert-molded in the stopper and has a lip which projects radially into the ring opening at the small-diameter end thereof. The inner and outer surfaces of the ring, except for the chamfer, are covered with a frictional cushioning material which defines circumferentially spaced ribs projecting radially inwardly of the frustoconical wall. The stopper is tapered toward a small-diameter distal end and its mid portion is surrounded with a frictional cushioning sheath having radially outwardly projecting circumferential ribs spaced axially of the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Housewares Corp.
    Inventor: Cyan Puleston
  • Patent number: 6170683
    Abstract: A two stage dispensing cap for a carbonated beverage container is described. The cap has a flip top which is hingedly connected to a collar wherein the collar is rotatable on the container. The cap, upon rotation of the collar, is first opened into a venting position wherein the flip top vents the pressurized contents of the container but remains locked partially closed. Continued rotation of the cap releases the locked flop top to allow the container to be fully opened. A set of cams on the container neck work in conjunction with annular beads to first allow partially opening of the flip top into the venting position and then allowing it to fully open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6089391
    Abstract: A novel container cap and containment system is disclosed which includes a cap with an upper and a lower portion, being removable one from the other. The upper portion has an upper wall that is continuous with an outer rim. The outer rim is constructed such that it fits over the orifice of a container. A blade is included inside of the peripheral edge of the outer rim and preferably extends from the upper wall. The lower portion of the cap has one end that is capable of receiving the end of the upper portion opposite to the upper wall and a second end that is adapted to be able to be releasably secured about the orifice of the container, the orifice also including a safety seal. The blade, in one embodiment, is preferably oriented in a "C" shape, whereby the cap can be removed from the container and the upper portion oriented over the orifice and depressed therein, thus cutting the safety seal while allowing a small portion to remain, thereby preventing the cut seal from falling into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Annette Umphlett
    Inventors: Kevin G. Abelbeck, Annette Umphlett
  • Patent number: 6039207
    Abstract: A lidded insulator for a beverage container comprising an insulator lid hingedly attached to an insulator body by means of a hinge. An insulator top ring having an insulator top ring bore is attached to the insulator lid. The hinge is made of resilient material possessing material memory tending to urge the hinge into a straight position. This hinge material memory tends to urge the insulator lid into a closed position. The lidded insulator for a beverage container is sized to frictionally admit a standard sized beverage container. Thus the beverage container is held securely within the insulator body, and when the insulator lid is closed on the beverage container, the frictional fit between the insulator lid and the beverage container holds the top closed, and together with the hinge material memory, urges the insulator lid top into sealing relationship with the beverage container opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Thad R. Adamek
  • Patent number: 6032812
    Abstract: A one-piece cap (10) for closing a liquid container to be installed for supply purpose in upside down position onto a liquid dispenser. Such container has a neck (14) on which the cap is sealingly mounted and through which a liquid supply tube (70) passes when the container is installed onto the dispenser. The cap comprises a lid (30) having a surface area substantially identical to the one of the neck (14), and a skirt (50) integrally projecting from the lid. The lid is provided with a central recess (32) including a tubular guiding portion (34) projecting from the lid in the same direction as the skirt (50). The guiding portion is sized and positioned to receive the supply tube (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Crealise Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Lamoureux
  • Patent number: 6030582
    Abstract: A self-resealing container cap configured to make a closing engagement with a container and a septum of elastomeric material supported in an opening defined by the cap periphery. The septum is puncturable by a blunt tip of an instrument such as a disposable plastic pipetter tip or a single use plastic laboratory transfer pipette having a tip width substantially greater than the thickness of a central portion of the septum. The septum is further configured to be substantially self-resealing against significant leakage of specimen liquid through the septum following withdrawal of the blunt tip from the punctured septum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Abner Levy
  • Patent number: 6024234
    Abstract: The invention comprises a cap member having an annular wall and a top wall disposed within and connected to the annular wall. An arcuate pierce-plow member is disposed on an upper surface of the top wall at a position spaced from the annular wall. The pierce-plow member includes a first plow base member having a ramp portion and a substantially flat portion. The pierce-plow member further includes a piercing member disposed adjacent to the substantially flat portion of the plow base member. The piercing member includes a first portion disposed adjacent to the first plow base member and a second portion disposed at a position spaced from the first plow base member. A thickness of the second portion of the piercing member is greater than a thickness of the first portion of the piercing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Julie E. Rink, Thomas D. Loughrin
  • Patent number: 5957316
    Abstract: A cap for use with a dispensing system. The cap includes a main outer cap and an inner cap. The main outer cap has a central sleeve which receives and seals against a probe. The inner cap moves into and out of a sealing engagement with the central tube as the bottle is raised and lowered over the probe. The seal between the inner cap and the central tube is located on the outside surface of the central tube. The location of the connection between the inner cap and the probe is displaced away from the location of the connection between the inner cap and the sleeve of the main outer cap. This allows the cap to have effective differentials between the forces which are necessary to achieve proper sequencing of the formation of the various seals and connections which occur during use of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding, Robert D. Hidding
  • Patent number: 5937921
    Abstract: A stopper device for a bottle having a neck provided with an outside bead at its free end and intended for use with a water fountain type liquid dispenser comprises a plastics material capsule having an end wall from which project in the same direction a substantially cylindrical outer skirt which has an inside bead which hooks behind the outside bead on the neck of the bottle and a substantially cylindrical inner chimney to receive a dispenser tube on the dispenser which nests in the chimney from the side of the end wall of the capsule when the bottle is fitted to the dispenser. The capsule further comprises a tamperproofing closure which closes off the chimney so that it is irrevocably and visibly destroyed upon nesting of the dispenser tube in the chimney and can comprise a diaphragm made up of a plurality of petals connected together by tear lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Rical
    Inventor: Bernard Guglielmini
  • Patent number: 5779072
    Abstract: A child resistant package includes a plastic container and a plastic closure. The container includes a body and a finish having an opening. The closure includes a base wall, an outer flexible peripheral skirt and an inner peripheral skirt. Interengaging retaining means on the finish of the container and the inner skirt of said closure restrict relative movement between said container and closure to rotary movement. The plastic closure also includes opposed flexible portions on said outer skirt and opposed lugs on the inner surface of the outer skirt. The container has opposed lugs on the finish engaging said lugs on said closure precluding rotation of said closure unless said flexible portions of said skirt are squeezed. A portion of the base wall of the closure is hinged to the base wall and normally lies in the same plane as the base wall. The container has a securing bead on the finish and the top portion has means engaging the securing bead. The container includes an inclined ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Krebs
  • Patent number: 5758788
    Abstract: A closure device for containers comprising a cap having a piercing member, the cap moving first downward and then upward relative to a container to which it is affixed, when first rotated in the direction used to open the container, the piercing member capable of causing rupture of a seal on the container during the downward motion and the upward motion resulting in removal of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Lifshey
  • Patent number: 5687867
    Abstract: A one-piece cap for closing a liquid container intended to be installed for supply purpose in upside down position onto a liquid dispenser. Such container has a neck on which the cap is sealingly mounted and through which a liquid supply tube passes when the container is installed onto the dispenser. The cap comprises a lid having a surface area substantially identical to the one of the neck, and a skirt integrally projecting from the lid. The lid is provided with a central recess including a tubular guiding portion projecting from the lid in the same direction as the skirt, the guiding portion being sized and positioned to receive the supply tube, and bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Crealise Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Lamoureux
  • Patent number: 5661889
    Abstract: A process for producing a container and closure assembly includes molding a preliminary container including a closed bottom portion, a body portion and a shoulder and neck portion. The shoulder and neck portion is separated from the body portion. An open ended second container is formed from the body portion, the second container having a rim at its open end and an encircling wall. The open end of the second container is then closed with a closure comprised of a cap and a cap liner. The cap liner has a weakened portion adapted to be broken by the cap. The cap or the cap liner are formed from the shoulder and neck portion of the preliminary container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventor: Emery I. Valyi
  • Patent number: 5542555
    Abstract: A cap for use with bottled water dispensing systems. The cap includes a main outer cap and an inner cap. The main outer cap has a central sleeve which receives and seals against a probe. The inner cap moves into and out of a sealing engagement with the central tube as the bottle is raised and lowered over the probe. The seal between the inner cap and the central tube is located on the outside surface of the central tube. The inner cap has a guide sleeve which centers the inner cap about the central tube, which is particularly important to achieve a proper attachment of the inner cap to the central tube during removal of the bottle from its support. The locations of the various components of the cap allow the cap to have effective differentials between the forces which are necessary to achieve proper sequencing of the formation of the various seals and connections which occur during use of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding, Robert D. Hidding