Combined With Stopper Structure Patents (Class 215/320)
  • Patent number: 5695987
    Abstract: A vessel and closure assembly for culturing cells wherein a gas permeable membrane is provided in the closure to allow rapid and uniform equilibration of gases between the atmosphere of the vessel and the atmosphere of the incubator. A plug is provided for occluding passage of gases through the gas permeable membrane when the vessel is removed from the controlled atmosphere of the incubator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: John J. Kayal, Susan L. Barker, John M. Janson
  • Patent number: 5695083
    Abstract: Leaktight screw cap composed of two cup-shaped shells rendered integral by fitting one into the other, the lowest shell being made from a flexible plastic having a female thread and a sealing device and the outer shell being made from a hard plastic. A disk made from a material having a gas-barrier effect is inserted between the bottoms of the outer shell of the inner shell. This screw cap is especially applicable to beverages and other products that are sensitive to gas exchanges with the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Rical, S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Obadia
  • Patent number: 5692628
    Abstract: A closure-container package is illustrated in which the closure is pressed-on to the container neck and threaded off the container neck. Either the container neck or the closure has a helical thread which engages axially extending ribs on the other of the container neck or closure to form indentations in the ribs which act as threads, teeth or a track for unthreading. A continuous or rotary seal is used between the container neck and the closure which does not require a sealing force from the threaded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Rexam Closure, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary V. Montgomery, James F. Whitehead, Clas Nilstoft
  • Patent number: 5687866
    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: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Cap Snap Co.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5638971
    Abstract: A vacuum seal container comprises a cylindrical container body having a peripheral seal extending therearound and a lid including an outer skirt for engaging the seal. The skirt defines an access port for communication with a vacuum-generating source. The lid further includes seating nodes which seat the lid in a raised position to form an interior air passageway for air evacuation. At reaching a threshold pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container, the seating nodes and the sidewall deform to lower the lid which blocks the interior air passageway to form a vacuum seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Justesen
  • Patent number: 5622274
    Abstract: A closure is intended for use on a container having an opening defined by a rim portion and a finish including a ledge situated below the rim portion. The closure includes a central body portion sized to cover the container opening and a peripheral portion adapted to contact the rim portion of the container. A plurality of tabs are unitarily fixed to the peripheral portion, each tab including a tang adapted to engage the ledge of the container finish. Each tab also includes a thinned, stressed portion between the tang and the rim portion which is reactive to an application of heat to cause shortening of the tab length. The thinned portion also acts as a hinge to permit flexural displacement of the tab with respect to the body portion. The closure when applied to a container is completed by a band which encompasses the tabs, the band also being reactive to an application of heat to cause contraction of the band to insure continued engagement between the ledge and tangs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Electra Form, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Bright
  • Patent number: 5620433
    Abstract: An improved adaptor and protector for same which is removably sealing an opening of the adaptor located at an end of a tubular member. The adaptor has a longitudinal passageway for receiving a cannula. An upper end of the adaptor has an interior diameter defining a first end of the passageway for receiving the cannula. A lower end of the adaptor has an interior diameter defining a second end of the passageway adapted for receiving an injection site wherein the diameter of the first end is larger than the diameter at the second end. A middle portion intermediate the first end and the second end has a tapering interior diameter for directing the cannula to the injection site and further having an exterior surface with gripping surfaces. The tapering interior diameter of the middle portion of the adaptor includes guiding members to direct the cannula or other injection devices. The adaptor may also be provided with a protector removably sealing an opening located at an end of the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Aswad, Dale Severs, Joyce Silvestri, Hugh M. Forman, Lecon Woo, Thomas D. Hiller, Lisa S. Walsh, Sandra Wade, Eddie Chan, Patrick Balteau, Franco Peluso, Eric Henaut
  • Patent number: 5620662
    Abstract: A centrifuge tube with temporary liquid storage cavities. The centrifuge tube has an upper opening and defines a specimen enclosure therein. The tube includes a lid for sealably covering the upper opening. Temporary liquid holding cavities are formed upon the underside of the lid so as to extend outwardly from the underside and terminate in open distal ends. One or more liquid components or reagents can be inserted directly into the open distal ends of the cavities so as to reside inside the cavities on the lid. The cavities are sufficiently narrow so that the walls of each cavity are disposed in frictional engagement with the liquid to increase the surface tension and adherence of the liquid within the cavity. The lid can be snapped shut over the opening of the tube without discharging the liquid components from the cavities, so that the liquid components hang in open suspension above the bottom of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Brandeis University
    Inventor: Daniel Perlman
  • Patent number: 5595907
    Abstract: A vessel and closure assembly for culturing cells wherein a gas permeable membrane is provided in the closure to allow rapid and uniform equilibration of gases between the atmosphere of the vessel and the atmosphere of the incubator. A plug is provided for occluding passage of gases through the gas permeable membrane when the vessel is removed from the controlled atmosphere of the incubator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: John J. Kayal, Susan L. Barker, John M. Janson
  • Patent number: 5593055
    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 a neck stretch portion, and at least one external ratchet tooth on a locking wall portion below the neck stretch. The closure has an upper skirt having at least one second helical thread mating with the first helical thread of the neck and a lower skirt with at least one internal ratchet tooth shaped and positioned to engage the external ratchet tooth when the closure is applied to the neck. The teeth formed on the skirt interior and neck exterior are arranged to provide at least one circumferentially extending stretch of the tamper-evident band where the teeth are not engaged. A line of weakness extending vertically through the disengaged stretch of the tamper-evident band is ruptured when the closure is unscrewed from the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Repp, William R. West, Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5582317
    Abstract: A reclosable, container and a method of forming and assembling the roclosable container is provided. A cup forms an interior and a top opening to provide access to the interior and a lid is releasably connected to the cup to selectively close the top opening and to form a seal with the cup to seal the interface or connection between the lid and the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Kraft Jacobs Suchard R&D, Inc.
    Inventor: Horst F. Wermund
  • Patent number: 5578491
    Abstract: A vessel and closure assembly for culturing cells wherein a gas permeable membrane is provided in the closure to allow rapid and uniform equilibration of gases between the atmosphere of the vessel and the atmosphere of the incubator. A plug is provided for occluding passage of gases through the gas permeable membrane when the vessel is removed from the controlled atmosphere of the incubator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: John J. Kayal, Susan L. Barker, John M. Janson
  • Patent number: 5511679
    Abstract: A resealable container closure including a cap and a tear band formed therewith for engagement with the external wall of the container. A depending flange formed on the underside of the cap engages the internal wall of the container to form a plug seal therewith. Removal of the tear band permits separation of the cap from the container, but re-sealing therewith upon re-engagement of the plug seal with the internal wall of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Creative Packaging Corp.
    Inventor: James M. Beck
  • Patent number: 5495958
    Abstract: In combination with a cylindrical housing, a closure cap including a transverse end wall and cylindrical shell defining a bore and open end. A sealing device arranged between the bore and open end has an outer cylindrical sealing surface mating with an inner cylindrical sealing surface on the housing. A coupling device is arranged between the closure cap and cylindrical housing and includes three spiral webs on the inner surface of the closure cap shell between a first and second transverse plane. The first plane is remote from the end wall and the second plane is close to the end wall, each web having respective ends in the first and second plane, the ends in the first plane being circumferentially spaced from the ends in the second plane by an angle of less than 120 degrees. Three guide lugs radially extend from the cylindrical housing for engagement with the webs, the guide lugs being circumferentially spaced from each other by an angle of about 120 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: C. A. Greiner & So/ hne Gesellschaft m.b.H
    Inventors: Franz Konrad, Gu/ nther Pakanecz, Manfred Lederer
  • Patent number: 5460283
    Abstract: A polyethylene cap, for use with containers, particularly polypropylene containers for containing medical specimens in preservative fluid such as formaldehyde, is provided with a 3-face seal, wherein a rim portion of the container is trapped in sealing, contacting relation on three mutually adjoining faces, whereby any tendency of the container rim to "relax" out of sealing engagement with a contacting face portion of the cap is effectively precluded by the fit and the geometry of the cap seal. In the case of polypropylene, which is susceptible to such "relaxation", the subject cap enables the effective sealing of polypropylene containers so that advantage may be taken of the superior properties of polypropylene in non-reactive, secure containment of possibly contaminated medical specimens in liquids such as formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventors: Charles T. MaCartney, Victor A. Daykin
  • Patent number: 5456376
    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: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5361921
    Abstract: A combination stopper and shield closure for sealing the open end of an evacuated body fluid collection tube. The stopper is headless and includes a well in its top surface with an undercut at its base. The shield includes a plurality of flexible fingers extending from its top surface, each finger including a cleat at its proximal end for engaging with the undercut in the stopper. The interaction between the cleats and the undercut serve to securely hold the stopper within the shield and eliminate compression forces being applied to the stopper by the shield. In addition, the base of the well is convex to direct any residue body fluid away from the center of the well towards the undercut and minimize residue build-up, and the bottom portion of the stopper is concave to reduce the thickness of the stopper's diaphragm and reduce penetration force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5339972
    Abstract: Total and immediate closure device which can be fitted on various containers, in particular bottles, tubes and jars, whether rigid or flexible, includes a hood (10) made of an elastic deformable material which can be fitted on the mouth (21) of a container (2). Hood (10) is pierced axially with an opening (11) into which there is tightly inserted a cylindrical body (22) an end of which is located inside of the container (2) penetrating into the opening (21) thereof and is rigidly fastened to the inner part (24) of said container (2) so as to provide a space along the outside of body (22) for the passage of the contents (23) from the said container (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventors: Daniel Crosnier, Jean-Marie Dulery
  • Patent number: 5295601
    Abstract: A caulk cartridge cap is designed to enable the storage of unused portions of products of the types supplied within caulk cartridge type containers to thus maintain them in a reusable condition. The cap operates as a closure for purposes of resealing a caulk type cartridge to prevent the premature drying out or aging of the materials stored within the cartridge and to also prevent blockage within the cartridge applicator tube. The cap includes an orifice retention rod which is positionable within the applicator tube, and a self-threading insert positioned within the cap is then used to threadably attach the cap to the cartridge. Modified embodiments of the cap include the use of a tether, a scraping edge formed on the orifice retention rod, and a bracket assembly to which the cap is rotatably attached and which may be mounted to a conventional caulk cartridge holding gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventor: Richard F. Bostelman
  • Patent number: 5284265
    Abstract: A snap on non-replaceable cap for a plastic school milk bottle neck finish with an external annular rib has a top with an inwardly spaced sealing flange depending therefrom, the outer surface of the sealing flange is shaped downwardly and inwardly. A tear skirt having an inturned annular flange forming the peripheral edge of the top is joined to the top by a thin semi-annular tear line. An inturned rib is formed on the inner surface of the tear skirt which locks under the external rib on the neck finish. The tear skirt, including the inturned annular flange may be completely or partially torn away from the top to permit the top to be removed. To facilitate removal, the tear skirt is formed with a second tear line from a lower edge thereof to the thin semi-annular tear line in the top. A pull tab is formed adjacent the second tear line functions as a lift tab to remove the cap. The top and its depending sealing flange prevent the same from being replaced on the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Northern Engineering & Plastics Corp.
    Inventor: Harry E. Crisci
  • Patent number: 5280809
    Abstract: A breather cap for protecting the ends of tubing and barbed connectors during sterilization and until use in which interference is at a detent spaced from the conduit end, or a positive stop is provided for the conduit end, or a flat handle is provided to facilitate removal of cap from conduit, or two or all of these features are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Cobe Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce E. Tive
  • Patent number: 5271513
    Abstract: Total and immediate closure device which can be fitted on various containers, in particular bottles, tubes and jars, whether rigid or flexible, includes a hood (10) made of an elastic deformable material which can be fitted on the mouth (21) of a container (2). Hood (10) is pierced axially with an opening (11) into which there is tightly inserted a cylindrical body (22) an end of which is located inside of the container (2) penetrating into the opening (21) thereof and is rigidly fastened to the inner part (24) of said container (2) so as to provide a space along the outside of body (22) for the passage of the contents (23) from the said container (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Inventors: Daniel Crosnier, Jean-Marie Dulery
  • Patent number: 5267661
    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 at least one external ratchet tooth on a locking wall portion below the upper neck stretch portion. The closure has an upper skirt having at least one second helical thread mating with the first helical thread of the neck. A downward extending lower skirt portion includes an outer skirt portion and a shoulder extending inwardly from said outer skirt portion. A frangible section interconnects the shoulder and the upper skirt portion. At least one substantially vertical fin is formed upstanding from the shoulder, preventing upward deformation of the lower skirt portion without breaking the frangible section. The lower skirt portion has at least one internal ratchet tooth, and is formed with a line of weakness extending through the outer skirt portion and the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5262326
    Abstract: A multiplate subculture solid media device is provided with a connection for internal flow communication with a liquid medium culture bottle. The device includes a large transparent screw cap on one face thereof to gain easy access to the plurality of media plates for direct examination and sample taking through the growth period. The cap may transparent and of a size allowing continuous examination during the growth period without any opening. Alternatively, the cap internal surface may include the solid media plates so that culture growth activity may be directly observed by easy removal of the cap. As a further feature of the invention, the screw cap may include an integral magnifying lens for enhancing the continuous examination of culture growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Jaeger, Raymond T. Wasek, Joan D. Wiseman
  • Patent number: 5232111
    Abstract: A combination closure is provided, particularly for evacuated collection tubes for body fluids such as blood, including an elastomer stopper and plastic cover combination with cooperating locking surfaces spaced around the circumference thereof. The stopper includes vertically spaced sealing rings for insertion into the open end of the tube. Also, the stopper includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions and the cover or shield cooperating circumferentially spaced indentations or ports to provide a locking force between the protrusions and indentations. As a result, the dimensions of the stopper and the plastic cover are reduced, which in turn reduces the penetration force required to insert a needle through the stopper. Moreover, the reduced dimension of the closure allows it to be locked to a bead on the tube whether plastic or glass, and the lesser overall diameter allows the closure on the tube to fit more tube holders or containers during and prior to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: James A. Burns
  • Patent number: 5213224
    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.degree. 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: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5210038
    Abstract: A multiplate subculture solid media device is provided with a connection for internal flow communication with a liquid medium culture bottle. The device includes a large transparent screw cap on one face thereof to gain easy access to the plurality of media plates for direct examination and sample taking through the growth period. The cap may transparent and of a size allowing continuous examination during the growth period without any opening. Alternatively, the cap internal surface may include the solid media plates so that culture growth activity may be directly observed by easy removal of the cap. As a further feature of the invention, the screw cap may include an integral magnifying lens for enhancing the continuous examination of culture growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Jaeger, Raymond T. Wasek, Joan D. Wiseman
  • Patent number: 5190178
    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, external ratchet teeth arranged in two diametrically opposed quadrants. The closure has an upper skirt having internal threads mating with the neck threads. A lower skirt is connected to the upper skirt by a plurality of frangible bridges. The lower skirt has opposed quadrants having internal ratchet teeth to mate with the neck ratchet teeth. 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. The tear tab constitutes an orientation means to properly locate the cap on the neck so that an axial downward push on the cap engages the internal and external threads and internal and external ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Cap Snap Co
    Inventor: Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5180073
    Abstract: A cap for a flask includes a top portion; an inner collar extending downwardly from the top portion for insertion into the mouth of the flask; an outer collar spaced from the inner collar and extending downwardly from the top portion for covering the lip of the flask; detent means on the inner surface of the outer collar extending inwardly to positively engage the lip of the flask and sealingly engage the cap with the mouth of the flask; and a permeable section in the top portion within said inner collar for enabling exchange of gases in the flask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Biomedical Polymers, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Fay, Michael T. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5143235
    Abstract: Container neck finishes produced by preforming processes such as injection or compression molding can generally be made to more accurate dimensions than blow molded finishes. Blow molded bottles conventionally have had an outward slanted area below the locking beads which merges into a horizontal shoulder on which the lower edge of the cap skirt rests, the slanted areas preventing the lower portion of the skirt from being compressed or pinched-in. As a substitute for the slanted area of blow molded bottles, the present invention provides annular rings on a preformed finish which supports the skirt against compression and a larger diameter second annular ring which functions as a shoulder on which the lower edge of the cap skirt may rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Cap Snap Co.
    Inventor: Richard E. Repp
  • Patent number: 5111948
    Abstract: In a cap assembly (1, 15) for a container, comprising an easily deformable plug member (9, 21) and a neck member (3, 16) having an opening. The neck member is adapted to cover an upper part of a container neck and partially covers the plug member (9, 21). A cover member (6, 19) is provided for the plug member (9, 21). This cover member (6, 19) is provided with a cavity (10, 22), which at least on one location increases in its cross section in the direction of opening. A locking memb4er (9', 23) is engagable positioned within the cavity (10, 22) centrally of the cap assembly. This locking member (9', 23) consists of an easily deformable material which is secured to the neck member and is cast in and so shape-matingly engages in the cavity. As a result, the locking member (9', 23) can be pulled from the cavity but cannot be reinserted into the cavity. This provides an indication whether anyone has tampered with the conainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Microplast B.V.
    Inventor: Ronald J. C. Wijnschenk
  • Patent number: 5103990
    Abstract: A single service container having a hollow body and a cap with a portion extending interiorly of the body. The cap is mounted to seal a wide mouth style of opening formed at the upper end of the body. Interiorly of the mouth, a portion of the cap extends downwardly so as to cooperate with the positive internal pressure of the container and assist in sealing the cap on the body. A conical ring is formed on the periphery of the dome and engages an undercut interior surface adjacent to the mouth. The container further includes means for sealingly engaging the perimeter of the mouth. To open the container, a pulling member is pulled thereby severing the sealing engagements between the cap and the mouth, releasing the internal pressure and opening the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Irwin
  • Patent number: 5096077
    Abstract: A stoppering device non-removably attached to the flanged neck of a container has a base (8) projecting beyond the neck of the container, with at least two arcuate surface sections extending from the base and disposed along a circle having a diameter slightly greater than that of the outer surface of the flanged neck (5). Each arcuate surface section (16) is extended on at least one of its sides in the circumferential direction by a locking foot (17). Each foot is integral with the arcuate surface at the end of the section opposite to the base (8) and is inclined inward from the end integral with the arcuate surface section (16) to a free end of the foot located toward the base (8). Each foot abuts the flanged neck (5) and holds the stoppering device securely onto the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Astra Plastique
    Inventors: Philippe Odet, Jacques Ambrosi
  • Patent number: 5050754
    Abstract: A cap of the type having a top portion with a depending annular flange on its peripheral edge and an annular depending sealing flange inwardly thereof between which the neck of a container is sealingly engaged is disclosed in which the depending annular flange of the cap has a lower annular outwardly offset secondary flange for registry with a similarly shaped neck finish of the container. An upstanding tab is integrally formed on the lower annular outwardly offset secondary flange of the depending annular flange. The inner surface of the depending annular flange and the outer surface of the neck finish have cooperating upper and lower annular fastening and sealing configurations holding the cap in place until the lower annular outwardly offset secondary flange of the depending annular flange is removed by tearing along a horizontal frangible line which also removes the lower fastening and sealing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: West Penn Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Marino
  • Patent number: 5046630
    Abstract: The invention relates to a unit made up of a cap and a receptacle with a neck made of plastics, the cap includes a base made of plastics, the base including a sealing member inside the neck which can be fixed on the neck simply by pushing and snapping it on. The base and neck, by longitudinal insertion, cooperate to prevent relative rotation. When the base is pushed onto the neck, insertion with a full cross-section is initiated, then forced insertion of the sealing member in the neck is initiated, and then the snapping on action is initiated. The cap of the invention is used to provide decorated tubes, with the cap oriented in a constant and definitive manner relative to the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Cebal
    Inventors: Bernard Schneider, Rene Hoslet
  • Patent number: 4960219
    Abstract: A snap cap apparatus is provided for sealing individual or a plurality of containers having necked openings. The snap cap apparatus comprises one or more caps, each cap having a pliable cover, the cover supporting one or a plurality of caps for sealing corresponding containers having necked openings. The snap caps providing a chamber and concentrically positioned within the chamber are stopper elements with a base connected to the thin pliable cover. The stopper elements terminating in an exposed end portion which is tapered to a smaller dimension than the base, the exposed end portion being positioned proximal to the open end of the chamber of the cap, the cap and stopper element combining to define an open ring portion for receiving container opening neck portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Willie W. Jordan, Brian J. McGraw
  • Patent number: 4958744
    Abstract: A closure for the open mouth of a container includes a main body and sealing means which extends around the periphery of the main body. The sealing means has a sealing edge which is adapted to engage a sealing surface formed on the container, and a resiliently flexible web which connects the sealing edge to the main body. The web is movable between a relaxed condition, in which the diameter of the sealing edge is at a maximum, and a sealing condition, in which the diameter of the sealing edge is less than maximum. When the closure operatively closes the opening in the container the web is moved to the sealing condition, and the resilience of the web material serves to press the sealing edge against the sealing surface. Preferably the web in its relaxed condition has a frusto-conical form which diverges upwardly and the sealing edge is formed on the upper and outer edge of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Kingsley Nominees Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter K. Bayly
  • Patent number: 4951830
    Abstract: There is disclosed a snap-on closure which has upper and lower annular beads on the inside wall of a peripheral skirt with a tear band defined by at least one score line in the skirt, located between the annular beads. The closure has a center corking skirt that is downwardly dependent from its undersurface and this corking skirt has sufficiently thin side walls to flex. The corking skirt is spaced concentrically within the outer peripheral skirt of the closure and is spaced apart from the peripheral skirt by an annulus having a width which is slightly less than the width of the inner lip found on the neck finish of conventional bottles. This ensures that the corking skirt will resiliently engage the inside mouth of the bottle and be deflected thereby, thus forming a seal in the mouth of the bottle. The corking skirt can have reinforcement gussets that project radially inwardly from its side wall and depend from the undersurface of the top disk of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Cochrane
  • Patent number: 4939152
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a biological sample on a support is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hollow chamber with internal and external surfaces and a first and second end. The first end is open and is adapted for attachment to the first closure means. The second end is either closed or open. If open, the second end is adapted for attachment to a second closure means. The apparatus provides means for maintaining the support in contact with a liquid medium at all times regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides means for maintaining the original orientation of a non-integral support regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus is useful for isolating and culturing microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Barr, Paul A. Rohlf
  • Patent number: 4845038
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a biological sample on a support is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hollow chamber with internal and external surfaces and a first and second end. The first and is open and is adapted for attachment to the first closure means. The second end is either closed or open. If open, the second end is adapted for attachment to a second closure means. The apparatus provides means for maintaining the support in contact with a liquid medium at all times regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides means for maintaining the original orientation of a non-integral support regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus is useful for isolating and culturing microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A) Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Barr, Paul A. Rohlf
  • Patent number: 4840547
    Abstract: A protective cap for the hermetic terminal of a hermetic compressor includes a cup-shaped plastic member for attaching to and covering the hermetic terminal during manufacturing, shipping, and storage of the compressor, i.e., whenever the hermetic terminal would not otherwise be connected to an external source of power. The cap contactingly engages the base portion and conducting pins of the hermetic terminal. The protective cap includes a cylindrical stud portion arranged coaxially within an outer cylindrical wall portion of the cup-shaped member. The stud portion slip fits radially inwardly of the circularly arranged conductor pins of the hermetic terminal. A tapered end facilitates guided insertion of the stud portion within the conductor pins prior to engagement of the cap with the hermetic terminal base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Emanuel D. Fry
  • Patent number: 4793510
    Abstract: A resealable closure device for use on metallic cans includes a metallic end wall having an opening surrounded by an upwardly extending and outwardly flaring beaded flange. The flexible closure element includes a central panel, a lever portion and a connecting portion connecting the lever portion to the central panel; the closure device is molded in an inverted umbrella position which is capable of being inverted to engage the flange of the opening; a skirt portion is provided on the interior side of the central panel of the flexible closure element to provide a degree of resistance to removal of the closure device from the opening by user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Horst F. W. Arfert, Daniel F. Cudzik, Roger H. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 4721210
    Abstract: A lid and cup assembly for storing and dispensing comestibles is disclosed which provides a tamper-evident package to indicate unauthorized tampering. The tamper-evident package for storing and dispensing comestibles and the like, includes a cup formed of a sidewall member having at its open end a rim with an unrolled peripheral edge. The package also includes a lid configured and dimensioned for engagement with the cup at its open end. The lid includes a panel member having along its periphery an annular rib configured and dimensioned so as to snap-fittingly and sealingly engage the cup. The annular rib is formed of an inner wall an outer wall and a transverse top wall. The outer wall has three spaced apart detent ribs of predetermined length for securing engagement with the cup peripheral edge at least when the lid is pried off. The outer wall also has adjacent at least one of the detent ribs a pair of tear lines on each side of the respective detent rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Inventors: Richard R. Lawrence, Charles R. Malsbury, Glenn Moreau
  • Patent number: 4674644
    Abstract: A one-piece tightly fitting, molded plastic lid intended to be used in association with a container having a laterally-protruding lip extending about the perimeter of its mouth. In each embodiment of the invention the plastic lid is provided with a surrounding depending sidewall having a relatively thin upper web segment which is adapted to deform heightwise to conform to the shape of the protruding container lip as the lid is fitted onto the container. The lower region of the lid sidewall has a resilient skirt which is thicker than the web segment and thus has a greater elastic memory. The sidewall skirt stretches when forced over the protruding lip and then the skirt retracts radially inwardly closely adjacent to the outside wall of the container immediately below the lip to stretch the deformable web segment tightly over the lip to seal the mouth of the container.One aspect of the invention relates to the container which is formed with an integral, outwardly projecting lip about the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Inventor: Stanley A. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 4640429
    Abstract: A closure for a container includes a closed top, a peripheral skirt and an integral engagement portion which extends from the closure top having an outer sidewall which is spaced radially inwardly from the inner sidewall of the skirt a distance sufficient such that the container neck is receivable in the space therebetween. A mechanism is provided by which the engagement portion is expanded radially outwardly either during or after the application of the closure to the container to urge the sidewall of the engagement portion tightly into engagement with the inner sidewall of the container neck to provide a friction locking and/or hermetic sealing of the closure to the container. In another embodiment, locking means are provided on the inner sidewall of the closure skirt which allows the closure to be twisted onto the container but which prevents the closure from being twisted in the opposite direction thereby locking the closure onto the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Inventor: Jeffrey Sandhaus
  • Patent number: 4638918
    Abstract: A bottle stopper comprising a cap shaped outer body member having an axial shank extending from the bottom of the stopper and an inner body member comprising in turn a portion for attachment to the outer body member and a hollow sealing member in which the shank is inserted and which is adapted to be inserted in the bottle neck. Between the attachment portion and the hollow sealing member, there is a plurality of bridge members connecting both members. Means are also provided in the inner body member to mate with further means on the neck to limit the insertion of the hollow member in the neck and said means also limit the rotation of the stopper on the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Antonio Puig, S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Marzabal Martinez
  • Patent number: 4637520
    Abstract: For use with a test tube having a circular-cylindrical wall defining a mouth and having inside and outside surfaces, there is provided a cap of larger diameter than the tube and having a plug adapted to extend into the mouth with interference fit with the inside surface of the test tube. A sleeve on the cap extends along and spaced from the outside surface of the test tube. The sleeve has a greater length than the plug, so that the sleeve still surrounds the test tube wall after the plug has been pulled from the test tube mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Inventor: Javid R. Alvi
  • Patent number: 4583652
    Abstract: An improved safety closure device and a method for making same are described. A cylindrical closure element adapted to close the mouth of a bottle or the like by frictional engagement with the interior facing surface of the mouth is joined via a cap portion to a cylindrical retainer collar, extending substantially coaxial with the closure element, by an intercoupling means comprising a tabbed tear strip and a tether strip. The tear strip and the tether strip are integrally formed in a helical configuration extending from the closure element to the collar. The tether strip and tear strip are joined by a pair of frangible webs of a preselected thickness which permit the tear strip to be manually removed. The collar and intercoupling section, including the cap portion thereof, are molded as a unitary structure. The closure element is formed as a separate unitary structure and is secured mechanically to the intercoupling means preferably by a snap-fit means about the periphery of one end of the closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Inventor: James R. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 4573980
    Abstract: An elastic port protector closing the end of a tubular port, typically on a peritoneal dialysis solution or parenteral solution bag. The port protector defines an outer tubular section having inner and outer ends, and with an inner diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the tubular port on which it is intended to reside. An inner tubular section is connected to the outer tubular section at the outer end and is capable of occupying the bore of the outer tubular end in telescoping relation thereto. The inner tubular section has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tubular port, to fit into the bore of the tubular port in sealing relation. Handle means is carried on the outer tubular section to aid in removal of the port protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Karrasch, John F. Love
  • Patent number: 4573602
    Abstract: A molded safety closure device and a method for making same are described. A cylindrical closure element adapted to close the mouth of a bottle or the like by frictional engagement with the interior facing surface of the mouth is supported on the bottle by a cylindrical retainer collar extending substantially coaxial with the closure element. The retainer collar is connected to the closure element by intercoupling means comprising a tabbed tear strip and a tether strip. The tear strip and the tether strip are integrally formed in a helical configuration extending one or more turns from the closure element to the collar. The tether strip and tear strip are joined by a pair of frangible webs of a preselected thickness which permit the tear strip to be manually removed. The collar and intercoupling section are molded as a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: James R. Goldberg