Combined With Stopper Structure Patents (Class 215/320)
  • Publication number: 20030178385
    Abstract: A snap-on plastic closure for a container includes a top wall portion, an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion, and a removal tab projecting forwardly from the skirt portion for manipulation of the closure during removal. A sealing plug depends from the inside surface of the top wall portion for disposition generally within the mouth of an associated container. The skirt portion of the closure includes a deformable region positioned beneath the removal tab so that during closure removal, the deformable region is permanently stretched and deformed for tamper-indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Alcoa Closure Systems International
    Inventors: Richard Laveault, Coy Hearld, Stephen McBride
  • Publication number: 20030155361
    Abstract: A cap for sealing a container having a threaded spout. The cap is arranged so that it can be snapped onto and off the spout and so that it can also be screwed on and off the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Jones, Andrew Mark Crick
  • Publication number: 20030106874
    Abstract: There are various ways to latch a closure onto a container. It has been found that for blowmolded containers that the support flange for the bottle preform can later be used as a part of the latch mechanism to secure a closure onto the container. Preforms have a support flange by which the preform is handled prior to being placed into the mold and in the mold. Prior to being placed in the mole, the preform is heated to about 85oC to about 200oC. During this time and in the mold, it will be supported by the support flange. This support flange is used after the container is blown and filled as one part of the latching mechanism of the closure. The closure will have a portion that is an interference fit with the support flange of the bottle to thereby secure the closure to the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Charles R White , David Ziegenhorn
  • Patent number: 6562300
    Abstract: The present invention is a collection assembly comprising a container, a cap assembly removably and sealably secured to the container whereby access to the interior of the container can be made with a piercing element without removing the cap assembly from the container. The cap assembly includes a cap body and a membrane like septum supported by the cap body. The septum provides for a pierceable element to have access to the interior of the container. The membrane is a thermoplastic elastomer and is self-sealing upon removal of the piercing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Rosen, Allison Peckham, Alois Prais
  • Patent number: 6536617
    Abstract: There are various ways to latch a closure onto a container. It has been found that for blowmolded containers that the support flange for the bottle preform can later be used as a part of the latch mechanism to secure a closure onto the container. Preforms have a support flange by which the preform is handled prior to being placed into the mold and in the mold. Prior to being placed in the mole, the preform is heated to about 85° C. to about 200° C. During this time and in the mold, it will be supported by the support flange. This support flange is used after the container is blown and filled as one part of the latching mechanism of the closure. The closure will have a portion that is an interference fit with the support flange of the bottle to thereby secure the closure to the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Charles Raymond White, David Ziegenhorn
  • Patent number: 6530401
    Abstract: A device of the present invention includes a closure plug for a drink bottle. The plug is provided with an inlet and an inlet valve which is arranged therein and is embodied as a reflux valve that is closed in a rest position. The device also comprises a filling device which is provided with or can be connected to a filling head. The closure plug can be coupled to the filling head in a communicating manner. Gas can be inserted into the drink bottle by the filling device via the filling head and through the inlet valve of the closure plug. The filling head opens the inlet valve when the closure plug is coupled. The closure plug is provided with an outlet and an outlet valve that is arranged therein and is embodied as a reflux valve in the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Cash + Carry Angehrn AG
    Inventors: Martin Angehrn, Thomas Angehrn, Anton Boeni, Wolfgang Reichenberger
  • Patent number: 6499617
    Abstract: Rotary seal valve/container assembly allowing withdrawal of a medical fluid contained in the container by the use of a device such as a syringe or IV set having a luer connector. The rotary seal valve includes: an elastomeric stopper having a cavity; a rotary seal bottom insert positioned in the bottom portion of the cavity; a rotary seal top insert, equipped with threads and serving as a male luer connector, rotatably engaging the bottom insert. One or more holes are provided in the bottom inset and top insert which holes are alignable with each other, by rotating the top insert, forming one or more channels through which the medical fluid is accessed. Upon rotating the top insert in opposite direction the rotary valve can be closed. A removable cap positioned over the rotary seal valve maintains the rotary seal valve in aseptic condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Brocco Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Niedospial, Jr., Mark E. Gabbard, Timothy J. Gabbard
  • Patent number: 6478174
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closing bottles containing a liquid under pressure, especially champagne or similar products, of the type comprising a cylindrical, hollow stopper having a longitudinal axis and a lateral surface, the stopper being designed to be inserted into the opening of a bottle neck and closed by a transversal surface having a projecting rim that rests on the annular end face of the neck; a closing cap having a peripheral portion that engages the annular outer edge of the neck; a seal engaged to an inner end of the closing cap and acting on the annular end face of the neck and on the transversal surface of the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Pelliconi Abruzzo s.r.l.
    Inventors: Orfeo Grazia, Fabrizio Michelini
  • Publication number: 20020153377
    Abstract: A breech for a dual-component cartridge with a breech plug with two sealing bolts which can be inserted into the two mutually separated outlet openings at the cartridge throat and seal these openings tightly, and with a retaining nut that can be screwed onto the cartridge throat. This nut can turn relative to the breech plug and can be locked to it in an axial direction and released therefrom. In order that the breech plug will be held by the retaining nut without additional parts and so that it can again be easily separated from it, between the retaining nut and the breech plug a manual-detachable snap-in connection is formed by the relative movement of the breech plug in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventor: Eugen Prestele
  • Publication number: 20020108924
    Abstract: There are various ways to latch a closure onto a container. It has been found that for blowmolded containers that the support flange for the bottle preform can later be used as a part of the latch mechanism to secure a closure onto the container. Preforms have a support flange by which the preform is handled prior to being placed into the mold and in the mold. Prior to being placed in the mole, the preform is heated to about 85° C. to about 200° C. During this time and in the mold, it will be supported by the support flange. This support flange is used after the container is blown and filled as one part of the latching mechanism of the closure. The closure will have a portion that is an interference fit with the support flange of the bottle to thereby secure the closure to the bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Charles Raymond White, David Ziegenhorn
  • Patent number: 6426049
    Abstract: The present invention is a collection assembly comprising a container, a cap assembly removably and sealably secured to the container, whereby access to the interior of the container can be made with a piercing element without removing the cap assembly from the container. The cap assembly includes a cap body and a membrane like septum supported by the cap body. The septum provides for a pierceable element to have access to the interior of the container. The membrane is a thermoplastic elastomer and is self-sealing upon removal of the piercing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Rosen, Allison Peckham, Alois Prais
  • Patent number: 6382441
    Abstract: A closure assembly is provided that includes an outer cap with a skirt dimensioned to telescope over the open top end of the tube. An annular shoulder extends inwardly from the top end of the skirt and includes an aperture through which a needle may be directed. A laminated seal is bonded to the bottom surface of the annular shoulder of the outer cap and extends continuously across the aperture in the annular shoulder. A stopper is secured on the bottom surface of the annular seal and is dimensioned for sealing engagement in the open top of the tube. Outer circumferential portions of the bottom surface of the laminated seal between the skirt and the stopper are bonded to the open top end of the tube. The bond between the closure and the laminated seal is stronger than the bond between the tube and the laminated seal. Thus, the closure assembly retains its structural integrity after opening of the tube and can be used to reseal the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Donald J. Carano
  • Publication number: 20020046983
    Abstract: A beverage container cap body adapted to make it difficult to be easily unscrewed even though carbonated beverage is contained in a beverage container but make it easy to be smoothly opened even though there is a pressure from inside the beverage container, whereby packings are easily cleaned and the cap body can be equipped upright relative to the container, wherein the cap body comprises a cylindrical body, being releasably and threadably disposed to an inner circumferential wall of opening at a container body, and an upper area thereof protruding above the opening, a lower packing and an upper packing each tightly abutting on a lower side and an upper side of the inner circumferential wall of opening, a cut-out portion 9h formed at an upper wall of an insertion groove, of the lower packing and a lid body releasably and threadably disposed at an upper side of the cylindrical body, wherein an opening is formed at part of a ceiling wall of the lid body while a seal member is disposed at an inner side of the c
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Matsuyama Shin, Yasuhiro Kowa, Hatsumoto Kunio
  • Patent number: 6375022
    Abstract: A resealable barrier closure is provided for a container with an open top and an annular snap ring below the open top. The closure includes a shell having an outer skirt dimensioned to telescope over the open top of the container. The outer skirt has a snap ring for engaging the snap ring on the container. The shell further includes an inner skirt to telescope into the open top of the container. An elastomeric diaphragm is sealingly engaged in the inner skirt. A barrier cup extends across the bottom face of the diaphragm and telescopes upwardly over the inner skirt. The barrier cup initially is sealed hermetically to the container and to the plastic shell. The container may be opened by urging the plastic shell upwardly with sufficient force to break the seal between the barrier cup and the container. The container then may be resealed by merely urging the closure back over the open top of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Robert Zurcher, C. Mark Newby
  • Patent number: 6260723
    Abstract: A package for flowable media and a snap lid which package and snap lid are both made from thermoplastic material, in which a collar-shaped head of the package surrounds a pouring aperture of the package, which collar-shaped head has a retaining ring on its outside, an inside annular surface, and an upper end having an edge with a snap catch, which upper end can be closed using the snap lid. The snap lid has a closing wall from which an annular sealing lip projects towards an inside of the package, and can be brought into contact with an inside surface of the edge in sealing engagement. The closing wall is provided with an outside catch for snap engagement with a snap catch of the edge of the head. The head of the package widens outwards and upwards at its edge, and both the inner surface of this edge and an outer surface of the sealing lip on the snap lid are curved convexly relative to each other. The invention also includes preforms for making the package of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Tetra-Laval Holdings & Finance
    Inventor: Lars Bergholtz
  • Patent number: 6255101
    Abstract: The invention concerns a seal for closing the neck of a flask. The seal comprises a stopper with a central coaxial channel for passage of an injection and/or sampling needle, this channel being sealed by at least one ball with a diameter slightly greater than that of the channel. This seal is suitable for a reagent flask used by a blood analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Diagnostica Stago
    Inventors: Alain Rousseau, Jean-François Gelin
  • Patent number: 6173853
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has double lead external threads and, below the threads, a conical wall having external ratchet teeth. The closure has an upper skirt having internal threads mating with the neck threads. A conical lower skirt is connected to the upper skirt by a plurality of frangible bridges. The lower skirt has internal ratchet teeth to mate with the neck ratchet teeth. The cap skirt threads are double pitch and slightly over 360° in length. When the cap is applied to the neck it snaps on in two stages. The lower skirt has a tear tab which, when pulled, fractures the lower skirt on a vertical line. Continued pulling on the tab sequentially fractures the bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 6161711
    Abstract: A closure and container system for storing prescription or over-the-counter medications is disclosed that is reversible between child-resistant and non-child resistant modes of use. The system includes a pair of endless beads, one on each of the container neck and closure, to improve moisture-barrier protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Tri State Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Miceli, Joseph A. Miceli
  • Patent number: 6126027
    Abstract: A self-centering container closure includes a locator annulus which extends downwardly from the undersurface of the crown, radially inwardly from a resilient fin. The annulus extends downwardly by a distance greater than the fin and has an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of the inner diameter of the neck of the container with which it is to be used. The annulus assists with centering the closure on the container as the closure is screwed onto the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: MCG Closures Limited
    Inventor: Nigel Thompson
  • Patent number: 6116445
    Abstract: A sealing cap for the mouth of a container facilitates both the sealing of new bottles containing unused contents, and the re-sealing of those bottles already in use so as to preserve their contents. The sealing cap includes an inner cap and an outer cap. The inner cap includes a shielding plate which is fixed on the mouth of a container, and an annular strip which is provided at the lower end of the outer circumferential wall of the inner cap. The outer cap, which is fixed on the inner cap, includes a top lid, and a main cap with a guide tube having a lower-end sharp edge located opposite the shielding plate. By removing the annular strip from the inner cap and pressing down the outer cap, the lower end of the outer cap engages the outer circumference of the mouth of the container, and at the same time, the lower-end sharp edge of the guide tube pierces the shielding plate. The user then opens the top lid of the outer cap to access the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Fancl
    Inventors: Kenji Ikemori, Takeharu Ohta
  • Patent number: 6092658
    Abstract: A gift package simulating a baby nursing bottle, the package being composed of a cylindrical container housing a miniature doll or other gift and a molded plastic cap that fits on the open mouth of the container. The container is formed of transparent plastic material, the rim of the mouth being rolled to define an annular bead. The cap has an upper section shaped to simulate the nipple-cap ring of a baby bottle, a lower section in the form of a cylindrical stopper that fits into the mouth of the container, and a circular flange at the junction of these sections. Formed on the stopper section is a circumferential array of ledges which are shaped to permit the ledges to slide into the mouth of the container, the upper ends of the ledges being spaced from the flange to define a circular socket therebetween. To put the cap on, the stopper section is pressed into the mouth of the container to cause the annular bead to snap into the socket, thereby latching the cap in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Goldberger Doll Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Pietrafesa
  • Patent number: 6085922
    Abstract: A container and closure assembly, affording a simple, quick, ergonomical, and reliable closing operation, provides an intermediate, partly open position that is reliably indicated. The distance of rotation of the closure relative to the container necessary for closing the closure is short, so that quick and simple closing of the container is provided. The closure is mounted to the container by a projection that is cooperatively received in a track. Either the closure or the container may be provided with the projection, the other being provided with the track. In a preferred embodiment, the track includes a protuberance that hinders the movement of the projection past a predetermined position along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: NUNC, A/S
    Inventor: Peter Esser
  • Patent number: 6082567
    Abstract: A container, preferably of small capacity, such as a school milk plastic bottle, has a neck having an in-turned lip flange, a vertical surface spaced below the lip flange and an external shoulder below the vertical surface. A second external shoulder below the first-mentioned shoulder is preferably slanted upwardly-outwardly. A cap for the neck has a top and a skirt depending from the top formed with internal bead segments which snap under the first mentioned shoulder. The lower edge of the skirt fits tightly against the second shoulder to prevent the fingernails from being used to overcome the tamper-evident feature of the cap. A tear tab (preferably chevron-shaped in cross-section) depends from the skirt. An external, vertical scoreline adjoins the tab and at its upper end is adjacent a second scoreline which is formed on the interior of the top. Pulling the tab tears the skirt from the top for about 342.degree. of its circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Bietzer, Kurt A. Krischke, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 6056143
    Abstract: A threaded drum cover is disclosed for selectively closing an open head drum. The drum comprises a tubular drum open at a top end defined by a threaded chime. The cover comprises a closure having a central circular wall of a size corresponding to that of the chime and a downwardly depending annular sidewall receivable radially outwardly of the chime. The sidewall includes radially inwardly directed threads for mating with a threaded chime to provide a tight head drum. A radially outwardly opening annular recess in the sidewall above the threads provides for external gripping of the tight head drum. The cover is of one piece plastic construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Michael D. Stolzman
  • Patent number: 6041953
    Abstract: A container and a removable closure, the container having an outlet with an inner and outer surface terminating at one end in a rim. The closure includes an end wall with an inner and outer skirt extending therefrom, the inner and outer skirts defining between them a slot which when the closure is applied to the container receives the container rim. The inner skirt includes a sealing section, and a deflecting section in the region of the free end of the inner skirt. The cross-sectional areas of the region and the cross-sectional area of the inner surface of the outlet being such that when the closure is applied to the container the deflecting section of the inner skirt engages the inner surface of the outlet to force the inner surface of the outlet adjacent the rim into sealing engagement with the sealing zone to seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Donald Terry Goodall
  • Patent number: 6032695
    Abstract: Plug for sealing or capping the open ends of tubular members, such as tubular rails or railing support members in boats. The plug has a cap from which extend upper, lower, right side and left side rearwardly projecting and connected planar panels. Each of the upper and lower planar panels and one of the side planar panels includes an outwardly protruding array of ramped teeth formed integrally therewith. The other side planar panel lacks an array of ramped teeth. The height of the teeth in each array increases incrementally from a minimum height remote from the cap to a maximum height adjacent to the cap. The ramping of the teeth allows for accommodational frictional engagement with various inside dimensions of tubular rails or railing support members to secure the plug tightly therewithin. A tapered indexing guide bar is located at the junction of the upper planar panel and the side planar panel which lacks an array of ramped teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Premier Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald E. Wellen, Robert J. Menne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6032694
    Abstract: Plug for capping or sealing the open ends of tubular members, such as tubular support members utilized on a Bimini boat top or other boat structure. The plug has a cap from which extend upper and lower rearwardly projecting tapered planar support panels each of which includes an outwardly protruding array of ramped teeth formed integrally therewith. The height of the teeth in each array increases incrementally from a minimum height near the end of the plug remote from the cap to a maximum height adjacent to the cap. The ramping of the teeth allows for accommodational frictional engagement of the teeth with various inside dimensions of tubular support members to secure the plug tightly therewithin. A hole extends transversely through the body of the plug for receipt of a pin for pivotally securing the end of a tubular support member containing the plug to a support bracket or other members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Premier Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald E. Wellen, Robert J. Menne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5979680
    Abstract: A child-resistant adult-friendly prescription storage vial is presented with an over-cap which can only be removed from the vial by first orienting the cap at a particular point on the vial and then depressing a pair of push-tabs on the cap. When the cap is properly oriented the push-tabs mechanically operate a pair of locking tabs on the vial which hold the cap in place. The locking tabs are designed so that an extended lip on the tab interlocks with a slit on the cap and can only be removed from the slit when the push-tabs on the cap are manually operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Kerr Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas C. Farside
  • Patent number: 5975321
    Abstract: A tamper-evidencing, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has a neck stretch with multiple neck threads and a locking wall below the neck stretch with a plurality of external teeth. The closure has an upper skirt with multiple closure threads which mate with the neck threads and a tamper-evidencing band with a plurality of internal teeth shaped and positioned to engage the external teeth. The teeth are shaped to guide the teeth into side-by-side interengage during axial application of the cap to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5971183
    Abstract: Disclosed is a closure for a container, such as a blow molded jug having a neck surrounding an opening therein, the closure having a first annular portion and a second annular portion. The first annular portion in the closure has a wiper seal and a lip seal. The second annular portion exerts an upward pressure on the lip seal which causes improved sealing and leak-tight properties during shipping, handling, etc. The upward pressure also enhances the effectiveness of the wiper seal. The second annular portion may include an annular tear skirt having a pull tab for the removal thereof to facilitate removal of the closure from the container. The closure may also include a plug seal, and a lower annular portion extending from the second annular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Eric R. Bartsch
  • Patent number: 5954215
    Abstract: A closure for a container having an open top surrounded by a container wall. The closure includes a top wall from which a hollow insert depends for reception within the opening of the container and further includes an outer skirt that depends from the top wall for releasably engaging an outer face of the container wall. The insert has a first seal and a second seal for sealingly engaging the inner face of the container wall. The second seal is formed upwardly of the first seal, and a channel is formed between the seals to prevent leakage through capillary action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignees: James A. Schwartz, Robert D. Marley, John Clegg, Nujenko Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Konrad G. Alter
  • Patent number: 5950849
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure is used with an associated container having a finish having an external thread formation thereon, and an annular locking ring located axially under the thread formation. The closure includes a closure cap having a circular top wall portion defining an outermost edge and a top wall extension region. The closure cap includes an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion inwardly of the outermost edge. An internal thread is formed in the skirt and defines a skirt wall plane. The closure includes a plurality of ribs extending from the top wall extension region to define an enlarged grasping region to comfortably fit a user's hand. An annular tamper-indicating band depends from the cap and is detachably connected to the cap by a plurality of circumferentially spaced, frangible connectors extending between the band and at least some of the ribs. The band includes an internal surface configured for engaging the locking ring and separates the band from the skirt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Len Ekkert, Jeffrey F. Ullrich
  • Patent number: 5947310
    Abstract: A combination bottle and screw closure for containing wine therein. The bottle includes internally disposed threads within a lower portion of the neck of the bottle for receiving the external threads of the lower end of a screw closure which is inserted into the opening of the bottle and rotated for securement therein. The positioning of the threads in the lower portion of the neck of the bottle affords a smooth and consistent pour of the wine from the bottle. In an alternative embodiment, the opening of the bottle and the screw closure are provided with a tamper resistant features to prevent opening of the bottle by a child. In a third embodiment, an insert and complementary screw closure are provided for retrofitting existing wine bottles not having internally disposed threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: David C. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5927531
    Abstract: A combination container and closure provided with matching, engaging lugs or a ring on said closure and said container and an interior ring on said closure fitting within the opening on said container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: G K Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene J. Kuzma, Douglas W. Weaver
  • Patent number: 5921432
    Abstract: Cover for sealing a container which is bounded at the top side by an outward bent top edge, said cover being provided along the periphery with a downward opening groove which encloses the top edge and is bounded by an outside wall, an inside wall, and a top wall connecting said walls, in which the width of the groove at the position of the top wall is less than the deflection of the top edge of the container, and the surface of the groove walls which adjoins the groove is made of a layer of elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: DSM N.V.
    Inventors: Joost Van Berne, Christiaan J.M. Moorman
  • Patent number: 5893476
    Abstract: A closure for sealing a sample tube and a method for establishing vacuum conditions within the tube while the closure is loosely positioned on the tube are provided. The closure comprises: (a) an inner stopper portion for insertion into the tube; and (b) an outer skirt portion for enclosing the tube, the skirt portion including at least two radially inwardly directed extensions for loosely positioning the closure on the tube, the extensions defining at least two passageways therebetween for exchanging gases between the interior of the tube and the surrounding atmosphere when the extensions are positioned on the tube. Preferably, the inner stopper portion and the outer skirt portion are integrally made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Estar Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Aaron Esteron
  • Patent number: 5879151
    Abstract: A lid for use on a holder with a candle disposed therein, the holder having a lip defining an open mouth. The lid includes a central cap and a projection depending outwardly from the central cap. The projection includes an inner wall, which is configured to surround and abut the candle in the holder when the lid is in place on the holder, and an outer wall, which is configured to abut the holder when the lid is in place on the holder. A peripheral flange extends outwardly from the outer wall and is configured to abut the lip of the holder when the lid is in place on the holder. In another aspect, a candle package includes the lid, in combination with the holder and the candle. Also, a method of packaging a candle utilizes such a candle package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Marissa A. K. Schultz, Marianne D. Davison
  • Patent number: 5875915
    Abstract: A composite closure for a container having a ring shaped cap with a ring shaped top and an annular skirt depending downwardly from the outer periphery of the top. The skirt is provided with internal threads for engaging external threads on the container neck. A disk shaped lid insert has its outer peripheral edge annularly received in an annular internal lid retaining groove in the cap which permits relative rotation between the lid insert and the threaded cap. An elastic annular seal is received in an annular groove provided in the bottom side of the lid insert for sealing the upper edge of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lobo Containers, Inc.
    Inventors: T. Gary Bradshaw, Thomas Triner
  • Patent number: 5865331
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosing cap (20) which is a measuring cup adapted to serve as a liquid tight closure. Said dosing cap is lightweighted by providing a wall with two different thicknesses. The thinner walled part (26) is inserted into the neck of the container to achieve the necessary closure. The thicker walled rest of said dosing cap (28) remains outside and serves as a gripping means to open the corresponding container (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Andre Marie Gustav Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5857580
    Abstract: A closure for a beverage bottle includes a plug element having a disk shaped head portion and a hollow cylindrical portion which seals with the inner surface of the opening of the bottle. An annular projection is formed around the circumference of the bottle 12 near its mouth. The closure further includes a cap element which fits over the plug element and which includes with a skirt having an annular recess which locks onto the annular projection of the bottle. A first precut line is provided in the cap, extending around its circumference and a second precut line portion extends from the distal edge of the skirt to the first precut line across the annular recess. The cap may be disengaged from the bottle by cutting through the second precut line and the first precut line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sanshu Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuguo Iidaka
  • Patent number: 5855288
    Abstract: A combination of a container and a lid is provided. The container has an inner peripheral surface around an opening to the container interior. The lid is movable between (1) a closed position to cover the opening, and (2) an open position to expose the opening. The lid has (a) a peripheral wall, (b) a peripheral hinge that extends from the wall, (c) a plug seal wall that extends from the peripheral hinge, and (d) a central portion that extends from the plug seal wall. When the lid is in a closed position, the lid is displaceable from an outwardly projecting configuration wherein the plug seal wall is held in a non-sealing condition disengaged from the inner peripheral surface to an inwardly deformed configuration wherein the plug seal wall is held in a sealing condition engaged with the inner peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventor: Milton R. Dallas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5853096
    Abstract: The present invention is a pressure equalizing and foam eliminating cap for a container. Pressure equalization and foam elimination is accomplished by designing the cap so that it can be rotated between a fully closed position, a gas venting position and a fully open position. This is accomplished in several ways. A first embodiment includes a spring biased, gas separation membrane between the cap and the mouth of the container. A second embodiment includes a finely, transversely perforated, annular plug on the underside of the cap and a seal between the plug and the interior of the neck. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the perforations may be larger and protected by a gas separation membrane. A third embodiment is similar to the second but incorporates two seals, one above and one below the perforations. In this embodiment also, the perforations may be larger and protected by a gas separation membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventors: Maya H. Bartur, Meir Bartur
  • Patent number: 5853093
    Abstract: A bottle cap assembly, comprising a main portion, and a lid. The main portion and lid are attached by a hinge. The main portion is selectively secured to the lid with a latch, the latch opposite the hinge. The main portion has a central bore, and the hinge has a plug which fits in the central bore when the cap is closed. The central bore has internal grooves, and the plug has protuberances which match the internal grooves to effect a tight seal between the central bore and plug. The main portion further has an upper groove, and the lid has a ring which fits in the upper groove. The ring is larger in diameter and concentric with the plug. At least one opening preventer attaches between the lid and main portion to prevent inadvertant opening of the bottle and for revealing tampering to the bottle, since the opening preventer can be opened once, and then cannot be restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Eliezer Neiger
  • Patent number: 5823379
    Abstract: A container suitable for use in the transportation of hazardous materials, for example radiolabelled material, has a base cup member (12) which is closed by a threaded lid (13). Within the cup member (12) a liner (17) is provided within an inner cavity (16). The liner (17) is suspended from an end flange (18) which is in engagement with the upper face of the rim of the cup member (12). The liner (17) has an annular shoulder (23) spaced from the end flange (18). The shoulder (23) is arranged so that it engages and thereby seals with the head (26) of a closure element (25). The closure element (25) also includes an engagement recess (31) to enable it to be removed from the liner (17). The container is usually mounted within a two-part inner casing (10a, 10b) which in turn is positioned within an outer casing (11a, 11b). With the container described hazardous materials even in liquid form may be stored and transported safely as desired without the need for bulky packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Amersham International plc
    Inventors: Uri Friedlander, Richard Ashley Stubbs
  • Patent number: 5820604
    Abstract: A cannula cap embodiment includes a monolithic elastomeric cap body having a sidewall portion for engaging a proximal end of a cannula, and an end portion connected to the cylindrical sidewall portion. The cannula cap also includes a monolithic flapper valve positioned within an interior of the cap body. The monolithic flapper valve includes a flapper portion, a ringed-shaped flapper mounting portion connected to adjacent interior portions of the cap body, and an integrally formed hinge portion connecting the flapper mounting portion to the flapper portion for permitting the flapper portion to move to an open position when an instrument is positioned within the instrument receiving passageway, and for biasing the flapper portion toward a closed position when an instrument is removed from the instrument receiving passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Endolap, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Q. Fox, Larry A. Gilstrap
  • Patent number: 5813529
    Abstract: A closure cap for a tubular container is formed as a monolithic plastic structure having a collar portion of circular configuration with respect to a center axis, and a flange transversely disposed to the axis and defining a circular aperture centered upon the axis. The collar portion has a doubly tapered outer surface which facilitates frictionally gripping engagement with the interior of the container or engagement with another cap of smaller size. Dual caps having multi-functional features are formed by the frictional interengagement of two caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: J. Thomas Goserud
  • Patent number: 5762217
    Abstract: The resin cap of this invention comprises a cap proper provided with a skirt portion and a continuous ring member provided so as to cover the outer surface of the skirt portion of the cap proper. A plurality of axially extending cuts are circumferentially spaced in the skirt portion of the cap proper, and the skirt portion of the cap proper and the ring-like member are separated via a cutting surface, but are integrally formed via a plurality of frangible bridge portions or connecting portions upwardly or downwardly of the cutting surface. The outer surface of the skirt portion of the cap proper and the inner surface of the ring-like member are intimately adhered at a portion of the cutting surface. This cap can form a sealing structure having sealing reliability, and can be opened without using any particular tool. Furthermore, it has excellent tamper-evident characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiko Ohmi, Tateo Kubo, Mitsuo Kumata
  • Patent number: 5762218
    Abstract: A plastics seal for a bottle having a beaded rim comprises a sealing cap (3), which comprises a circular flat cover plate (2) and on the underside (4) of which are provided an outer ring (5), which, in the locking position, embraces the bottle neck, and an inner sealing ring (6) which abuts at least regionally against the inner circumference of the bottle opening in the manner of a tight cap, the two rings (5, 6), which are arranged substantially concentrically relative to the central longitudinal axis (7), being integrally moulded on to the cover plate (2). The inner sealing ring (6) is provided on its inner side (10, 10') which is opposite the contract surface (9; 9') with a plurality of reinforcing ribs (11) which extend substantially parallel relative to the central longitudinal axis (7) and are designed to be shaped parts (12; 12'; 12"; 12'"; 12"") which at least regionally provide a flexible supporting engagement for the inner sealing ring (6) when disposed in the sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Franz Rossberg
    Inventor: Werner Sachau
  • Patent number: 5755348
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, snap-on, screw-off closure is used with a specially shaped container neck. The neck has at least one first helical thread on an upper neck stretch portion, and a first tamper-evident structure having a first locking member. The closure has an upper skirt having at least one second helical thread mating with the first helical thread of the neck. The closure includes a second tamper-evident structure having a second locking member shaped and positioned to engage the first locking member when the closure is applied to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5722562
    Abstract: A closure cap (1) of the present invention is provided for closing a tube (3). The cap has a skirt (15) which, when installed on the tube, extends from the end of the tube along the outside of the outside surface of the tube wall, an end closure (13) which extends across the end of the tube and closes off the end of the tube, and an inner flange (17) integral with the skirt and with the end closure. The inner flange is concentric with the skirt such that the end of the tube is received between the skirt and the inner flange. The cap further has a wall (19) integral with the inner end of the flange and integral with the end closure for connecting the inner end of the inner flange and the end closure. A flexible connection (23) is provided between the skirt and the inner flange which permits flexing of the inner flange relative to the skirt upon installation of the cap on the tube thereby to enable installation of the cap on the tube substantially without deformation of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: C.A.P.S. Inc.
    Inventor: James Kick