Removably Attached To Receptacle By Relative Rotation Between Keepers (e.g., Screw Threads Or Lugs) Patents (Class 215/329)
  • 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: 5693036
    Abstract: A method of injection moulding an undercut formation on a circular body in which the formation is moulded in a series of arcuate sections alternating with spaces. According to the method, the moulding core, which produces the formation, is extracted by firstly relatively rotating the body and the core so that the body is expanded radially and then ejecting the body off the core. The method is applicable to the manufacture of closure members and coupling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: E. R. Squibb & Sons Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Kilgour
  • Patent number: 5690243
    Abstract: A novel snap on pull off tamper indicating cap and neck configuration for containers, the cap having a top with an annular depending wall on its peripheral edge and seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on the inner surface of the annular depending wall. A removable tear skirt with continuous opposing groups of ratchet teeth on its inner surface depends from the outer peripheral edge of an out-turned flange on said annular wall. An inturned continuous annular rib on said annular depending wall engages on and deforms the neck configuration. The tear skirt is joined to the flange with multiple frangible connections from the ratchet teeth, a pull tab on the tear skirt with frangible lines requiring removal of the tab and tear skirt from the cap before the cap can be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Luca Molinaro
  • 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: 5636740
    Abstract: An efficient, economical container closure means of a functional and decorative nature includes elements connectable together to provide a relatively simple, inexpensive, reliable, easy operable closure for dispensing a wide variety of materials and to provide a changeable decorative ornamental appearance. The elements include a base with an opening therein connectable to a container to close or restrict an opening therein, a cap tethered to the base operable to close the opening therein and having a connecting means cooperable with a decorative means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: NCM International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Finkiewicz, Gerald R. Sorensen
  • 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: 5590799
    Abstract: A container neck and child-resistant closure for the neck are disclosed. The closure includes an inner part and an outer part, and castellations on the parts which mate when the outer part is displaced axially, to lock the parts together for rotation. A ratchet mechanism including ratchet ramps and cantilever leaf springs biases the inner and outer parts axially and rotationally apart, and allows relative rotation of the parts in one direction of rotation, when the castellations are not engaged. The angle through which outer part has to be turned to enable the castellations to be engaged may be less than 45.degree. and preferably less than 25.degree.. The closure may be moved between fully opened and closed positions by rotation through less than 360.degree. and preferably about 90.degree.. A tamper-evident ring, and a retaining means for retaining the closure in the closed position, may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Beeson and Sons Limited
    Inventor: Roger M. King
  • Patent number: 5588545
    Abstract: A container neck and child-resistant closure for the neck are disclosed. The closure includes an inner part and an outer part, and castellations on the parts which mate when the outer part is displaced axially, to lock the parts together for rotation. A ratchet mechanism including ratchet ramps and cantilever leaf springs biases the inner and outer parts axially and rotationally apart, and allows relative rotation of the parts in one direction of rotation, when the castellations are not engaged. The angle through which outer part has to be turned to enable the castellations to be engaged may be less than 45.degree. and preferably less than 25.degree.. The closure may be moved between fully opened and closed positions by rotation through less than 360.degree. and preferably about 90.degree.. A tamper-evident ring, and a retaining means for retaining the closure in the closed position, may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Beeson and Sons Limited
    Inventor: Roger M. King
  • Patent number: 5579932
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating, child resistant closure for a threaded bottle includes an inner cap and an outer driver telescoped over the inner cap. The inner cap includes a top wall having spaced apart upstanding ribs. The outer driver includes a top wall having a pair of top wall segments hinged for pivotal movement to, and being spaced apart from each other by a spacing rib also forming part of the top wall of the driver. Each of the top wall segments initially is secured to contiguous sections of the outer driver by frangible, tamper-indicating tabs, and the top wall segments are moved from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position after the tamper-indicating tabs have been broken to form a driving section in the top wall of the driver. This driving section then is directed into the space between the upstanding ribs associated with the top wall of the inner cap by moving the inner cap and outer driver axially toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Lincoln Mold and Dye Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Drozd, Vincent Comitini
  • Patent number: 5549213
    Abstract: A container and associated cap assembly includes a container body having an open upper end defined by an annular rim, the rim having a substantially horizontal uppermost edge surface and a radially outwardly and downwardly extending bevelled surface. The cap has a top wall, a radially outer depending skirt portion and a radially inner depending skirt portion. The skirt portions are connected radially by an internal cap surface which includes a first substantially horizontal surface portion extending radially away from the radially inner skirt; a second downwardly and outwardly inclined sealing surface portion, and a third radiused surface portion connected to the radially outer skirt. The second downwardly and outwardly inclined sealing surface is sealingly engageable with the bevelled surface of the annular rim such that the substantially horizontal uppermost edge surface is axially spaced from the cap top wall upon full threaded engagement between said cap and said container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Edward S. Robbins, III
    Inventors: Edward S. Robbins, III, Ronald Schumann
  • Patent number: 5542532
    Abstract: A container includes an angled sidewall with a non-overlapping thread. A lid has a lid sidewall set at the same angle as the container sidewall. The angle is between 12.degree. and 18.degree. from vertical and creates a strong connection when the two pieces are screwed together. In one embodiment, the container is a compact disc holder capable of holding a compact disc free from interference and damage. A top piece (lid) of the compact disc holder screws down on a bottom piece but maintains pressure on the compact disc to hold the disc between a pedestal on the bottom piece and a stabilizer disposed on the top piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: David C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5542556
    Abstract: An internal thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of a skirt wall in a container closure of a plastic. The cross-sectional shape of the internal thread is defined by an upper side edge extending radially inwardly in an axially downwardly inclined manner, a lower side edge extending radially inwardly in an axially upwardly inclined manner, a front edge extending substantially vertically, two concave arcs, and two convex arcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiko Ohmi, Tateo Kubo, Tomoya Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5542670
    Abstract: A drinking cup has a cover which is formed with a drinking spout at one side and a vent at the other. Elements extend down from under the spout and the vent. A flow control element is provided and made of elastomeric material having a pair of spaced cavities on one side, each cavity having a floor at the bottom thereof. The cavities receive in frictional engagement respectively the lower ends of the elements. This engagement supports the flow control element with the floor of each cavity in sealed relation to its element. Each floor has a passage which is normally closed but opens on the occurrence of a pressure differential on opposite sides of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Emanuel P. Morano
  • Patent number: 5526949
    Abstract: A jar, preferably for a domestic blender, is provided with an external thread at a lower end for engaging with an internally threaded base member. The threads have a varying radial position along the axial length of the threaded area to assist in the assembly of the two parts and to prevent cross threading. In the disclosed embodiment, the jar has a frusto-conically shaped lower portion on which a constant height thread is formed. The base member has a cylindrical wall with a thread having a varying radial height to complement the position of the jar thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Carey, James S. Annis, Edward L. Thies
  • Patent number: 5524782
    Abstract: At the top of a bottle the circumferential bead lying between the cap fastening means and the neck is enlarged in diameter to better meet the enlarged diameter of an oversize cap such as a two piece "child-resistant" cap. The undercut below the bead forming the neck is greatly exaggerated. The circumferential bead is located lower on the top to better fit the extended skirt length of the outer cap of the two piece "child-resistant" cap. A circumferential shoulder is added above the bead to substantially match the skirt length and diameter of a standard cap. Regardless of whether a "child-resistant" cap or a standard cap is used, the plastic shrink-fit band tightly fits about the cap and over and underneath the circumferential bead. The loosening of either "child resistant" or standard cap will force the splitting of the band because the shrinkage of the band below the circumferential bead is considerably greater than the innate circumferential elongation of the shrunk plastic band material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Brit Corporation
    Inventor: Tony Salemi
  • Patent number: 5523236
    Abstract: A closure for providing selective access to and for closing a cell culture vessel includes an open cylindrical first portion for attaching the closure to the cell culture vessel. The first portion includes a passageway for access to the vessel. The closure includes a second portion attached to the first portion by a hinge for closing the access passageway. The second portion additionally includes a vent which has a porous membrane covering it to prevent passage of microorganisms through the vent. The closure includes a third portion which is attached by a hinge to the second portion for closing the vent. Either the vent or the access passageway may be opened with one hand providing easy access and selective closure of the cell culture vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Nuzzo
  • Patent number: 5518143
    Abstract: A novel cap is designed to facilitate the use of a flexible tube to consume fluids and provide a liquid-tight seal when the cap is firmly secured to the container. Further, the cap is designed to form a smooth or regular inner core for decorative shaped animal head structures thereby alleviating the inherent cleaning difficulties which arise from irregular or asymmetrical caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Ansa Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry G. Iodice
  • Patent number: 5518135
    Abstract: A roll-resistant tennis ball can and lid are provided with features that prevent cans from rolling on flat surfaces. The cans and lids may be manufactured in an economically efficient way. The invention can be accomplished in two ways. The first is by providing the can's lid with a square or other configuration such that a non-circular edge contacts the ground. The second way is to have the body portion of the can have a square cross-section or some other cross-section that is configured to prevent rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: William D. Freund
  • Patent number: 5503187
    Abstract: A screw-threaded connection incorporates multiple synchronized threads, that is, one connection element has one or more sets of male threads that mates with one or more corresponding sets of female threads on the mating connection element, in customary fashion. Of course, the multiple sets of threads on the mating connection element are synchronized such that their leads are the same, and, of course, the same as the sets of mating multiple synchronized threads. This multiple synchronized thread connection has application to any fluid connector and particularly to fluid connectors in wide-variant temperature deviation, high-pressure, and/or mechanical vibration environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventors: John M. Simmons, Tom M. Simmons
  • 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: 5464110
    Abstract: An apparatus for containing material, the apparatus including a container and a container closure. The container has a main body portion and a generally cylindrical top portion, the generally cylindrical top portion including a first generally cylindrical closure cooperating portion and a second generally cylindrical closure cooperating portion adjacent the first closure portion. The first closure cooperating portion has a first diameter and a first projecting bead and the second cooperating portion has a second diameter unequal to the first diameter and has a tab cooperating portion. The second cooperating portion also defines an access opening to an interior portion of the container. The container closure includes a body having an axis, the body having first and second cylindrical walls. The first cylindrical wall extends in a first direction about the axis and defines a first receptacle operable to cooperate with the first portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventor: Richard G. Heyworth
  • 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: 5454476
    Abstract: A container neck (14) and a container closure comprises a first thread (15) on one of the neck and the closure, a complementary second thread on the other of the neck and the closure such that the closure is moveable from fully disengaged from the neck to fully closed by turning the closure relative to the neck by less than 360.degree., at least one stop formation (17,18) carried by said one of the neck (14) and the closure, and stop means on said other of the neck and the closure engageable with the stop formation or at least one of the stop formations to hold the closure in a closed position on the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Beeson and Sons Limited
    Inventors: Roger M. King, Roger E. Powell, Rodney G. Offley
  • Patent number: 5452748
    Abstract: A screw-threaded connection incorporates dual synchronized threads, that is, one connection element has a set of external male threads that mates with a corresponding set of internal female threads on the mating connection element, in customary fashion. The first connection element additionally includes a second set of internal female threads synchronized with the first set such that the leads of both sets of threads are the same. This second set of internal female threads mates with a corresponding set of external male threads on the mating connection element. Of course, the two sets of threads on the mating connection element are synchronized such that their leads are the same, and, of course, the same as first sets of mating dual synchronized threads. This dual synchronized thread connection has application to any fluid connector and particularly to fluid connectors in wide-variant temperature deviation, high-pressure, and/or mechanical vibration environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventors: John M. Simmons, Tom M. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5431291
    Abstract: A blow molded, PET container having a unitarily formed body defining a hollow cavity for receiving a product. The body includes a base, a side wall, a neck finish and a mouth. The neck finish, located at the upper end of the container, is formed from substantially amorphous PET that has been thermally stabilized by a heat treating process. A thread is formed on the neck finish to receive a closure cap. The thread is generally in the form of a raised ridge that spirals at least partially around the neck finish. Spaced interruptions divide the thread into thread segments which reduce the PET needed to form the neck finish. The interruptions reduce the residual stresses in the neck finish and thereby reduce the distortion which occurs in the neck finish during hot filling or hot washing of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher C. LaBombarbe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5398830
    Abstract: A closure system for a receptacle having a neck in which an opening is formed and provided with outwardly projecting external threads each extending between a first end further from the opening and a second end closer to the opening, the system comprising a cap having a side wall that surrounds the neck and that fits substantially snugly over the shape of the external threads thereof. The cap is made of a material that is elastically deformable, and at least some of the threads of the neck are spaced apart in pairs by a circumferential distance around the neck that decreases progressively between the first and second ends of the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Etablissements Valois (Societe anonyme)
    Inventors: Olivier de Pous, Claude Jouillat
  • Patent number: 5383558
    Abstract: A sealed container includes a base jar for containing a substance and a removable lid for closing and sealing the base jar. The base jar includes a bottom wall, a side enclosure extending upwardly from the bottom wall having an upper portion with a screw thread, and an upper wall extending inwardly and upwardly from the upper portion of the side enclosure having a circular brim which defines a wide mouth opening for the base jar. The removable lid includes a top wall and an encircling member extending downwardly therefrom with a screw thread which matingly engages with the screw thread of the upper wall of the base jar. For sealing with the base jar, the removable lid also includes a circular projection extending downwardly from the lid which engages and seals with the circular brim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger D. Wilkinson, Dean R. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 5379909
    Abstract: A dual sided closure comprising a divider wall at its interior midsection, in combination with at least one substantially cylindrical container comprising a substantially centered and substantially cylindrical neck portion with said neck portion further comprising an external surface diameter substantially identical to the external surface diameter of the dual sided closure, whereby the attachment of a second and substantially identical container will assemble to resemble, and function as, a fillable dumbbell exercise device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Carlton Roark
  • Patent number: 5307945
    Abstract: An injection molded threaded cap for use with containers of varying dimensions. The cap of the present invention includes a cover from which depends an integral plug. An auxiliary sealing ring is disposed at the outside base of the plug to compensate for differences between the diameter of the plug and the diameter of the opening to be sealed by the cap. To prevent doming of the cover of the cap, the underside of the cover has shrinkage resistance formations which provide the cap with structural resistance to the effects of shrinkage. The cap of the present invention further includes a ratchet ring having ratchet teeth designed to enhance the tamper-evidency of the frangible ratchet ring. In an alternative embodiment, the cap includes a thread form which reduces the amount of rotation required to install the cap onto a bottle neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding, Robert D. Hidding
  • Patent number: 5307946
    Abstract: A blow molded container has a cylindrical neck portion with novel seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on its exterior to immediately receive and engage an improved tamper indicating flexible cap comprising a top with an annular depending wall on its peripheral edge and seven circumferentially spaced continuous spiral thread configurations on the inner surface surface of the annular depending wall. The novel constructions enable the tamper indicating flexible cap to immediately engage the lead-in ends of the seven circumferentially spaced thread patterns on the exterior of the neck of the container without the heretofore necessary rotation of the prior art caps in order to engage the single spiral thread configuration on the neck of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Northern Engineering & Plastics, Corp.
    Inventor: Luca Molinaro
  • Patent number: 5299608
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement connects a container of concentrated cleaning fluid to a dispensing apparatus in a carpet cleaning machine. To facilitate the required fluid connection, the container is fitted with a plug having one port at its center and a second port radially disposed from the center port and positioned within an annular groove concentric with the center port. The distance from the center port to the second port in the plug is equal to the distance between corresponding central and radial ports in the dispenser. When the container is rotated to engage the dispenser and advance it into position, the center port of the plug and central port of the dispenser align since they are on the same axis. The radial port of the dispenser is aligned with the annular groove in the plug, enabling fluid communication with the second port in the plug irrespective of the rotational orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Nick M. Bosyj
  • 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: 5255805
    Abstract: A screw cap for a container that has a thread, in particular bottles, jars, and the like. A ring that incorporates at least one projection engages the thread on the container. The ring can be configured as a safety ring, i.e., that it have a lower ring section that incorporates barbs that extend from a perpendicular wall area. When the container is first opened, the barbs engage under projections on the container and burst the lower ring section off. The cap of the screw cap need incorporate no threads of any kind because of the projections of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Alcoa Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Weiss, Hans D. Dubs, Hans J. Preuss
  • Patent number: 5219529
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a male end, a female end and an internal chamber defined by a filter adjacent the male and female ends. The cartridge is specifically designed to be stackable with additional cartridges, as the male end of one cartridge can close the female end of a different cartridge. The cartridges are useful in holding samples for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: UniSyn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: That T. Ngo, Raphael C. Wong
  • 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: 5211301
    Abstract: A spooning closure generally comprising a skirt a top, a spooning opening and a hinged spooning lid which is adapted to pivot from a closed position to an open spooning position. A locking means is provided, which is adapted to securely and releasably lock the spooning lid in the closed position. The locking means comprises a tongue and a friction engaging slot. It may further comprise an arcuate latch projection which extends at an acute angle to the spooning lid bottom surface and a cooperating keeper which partially defines the spooning opening and is formed by an arcuate cantilever. Also provided is a reinforcing web extending from the bottom of the spooning lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Magenta Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Groya, Richard W. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 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: 5207341
    Abstract: A bottle for packaging beverages for individual use, comprising a wide mouth container and a closure lid; the container having a neck with a circular opening; the closure lid having a concentric inner skirt and outer skirt; the container and the closure lid having corresponding fastening means for opening and closing the container; the corresponding fastening means respectively located on an inner circumferential area of the circular opening of the neck and on an outer circumference of the inner skirt; the outer circumferential area of the neck being smooth; the outer diameter of the neck being equal to the inner diameter of the outer skirt, wherein the outer skirt covers and protects the smooth outer circumferential area of the neck when the closure lid is fastened to the container, the environment outside the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Don F. Yeager
  • Patent number: 5197621
    Abstract: A screw cap comprises an internal screw thread and a braking element for engaging the lead end of the external screw thread on a container for which the cap is intended. When the cap is applied to the container, the braking element progressively retards the screwing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Crown Cork AG
    Inventors: Franz T. Bartl, Hans-Werner Breuer
  • 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: 5184741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a receptacle such as a perfume or cosmetic bottle, having a screw-threaded cap orientable relative to the receptacle. The receptacle has a screw neck (2) that has two symmetrical external screw threads (3, 4) each provided with an interruption (5) in the vicinity of the beginning of the thread (3, 4) and with a substantially axial abutment (6) in the vicinity of the end of the thread (3, 4). The cap has internally two symmetrical screw threads each comprising a catch (11) provided by one end of the thread and a substantially axial end (12) at the other end of the thread. The catch (11) is engageable in the interruption (5) and the abutment (6) and the thread end (12) are interengageable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Techpack International, TPI Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Alain Chevassus, Patrick Fraillon
  • Patent number: 5145080
    Abstract: A package is provided in the form of a container and closure assembly which incorporates a system for providing a positive orientation of the container closure so as to align external features of the closure and container. The container has a neck defining an opening to the container interior, an external screw thread, and a protuberance. The protuberance has generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces and at least one cam surface extending between the abutment surfaces. The closure has a skirt defining an internal screw thread for engaging the container external screw thread. The skirt defines a recess for receiving a protuberance. The recess is defined at opposite ends by spaced-apart engaging surfaces for confronting the protuberance abutment surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures
    Inventor: Leo R. Imbery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5125538
    Abstract: A child-resistant molded container lid assembly for an open head container, wherein a closure having a pouring spout is fixedly secured to the top edge of the container. A lid having an integral cap portion is threadably connected to the container and the spout portion, wherein the cap portion closes the pouring spout. The cap portion of the lid is provided with a shock absorber to prevent damage to the cap portion and associated pouring spout during the transportation and/or stacking of the filled container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Glenn H. Morris, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5105960
    Abstract: A container for use in combination with a closure has a threaded neck and a flexible lip portion which extends inwardly and upwardly from the top of the neck portion and which defines the opening to the container. The closure has a top portion from which depends a threaded annular skirt which cooperates with the threaded neck portion. The upper surface of the threads on the annular skirt have a plurality of radially extending small upwardly pointed ribs defining fastening configurations registrable with a plurality of radially extending small downwardly pointed ribs on the lower surfaces of the thread on the neck portion of the container. The threads of the closure are smaller than the threads on the neck of the container so as to extend a lesser distance toward the neck of the container than the distance the thread on the neck of the container extends toward the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Northern Engineering & Plastics, Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Crisci, Joseph Bashour
  • Patent number: 5103991
    Abstract: A screw closure for a container has a metal body shell (30) into which a plastics moulding (44) is snap-engaged. The moulding provides a screw thread (52) for the closure; in addition, it extends below the body shell to provide a security ring (50) which is attached by rupturable bridges (62). Relative rotation of the moulding and body shell when the closure is being fitted onto a container is prevented by teeth (58) formed around the top edge of the moulding, which deeply indents the sealing gasket (38) of the body shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: CMB Foodcan PLC
    Inventor: Malcolm G. Collins
  • Patent number: 5085331
    Abstract: A spooning closure generally comprising a skirt a top, a spooning opening and a hinged spooning lid which is adapted to pivot from a closed position to an open spooning position. Two locking means are provided, one of which is adapted to securely and releasably lock the spooning lid in the closed position and the other of which is adapted to securely and releasably lock the spooning lid in an open spooning position. The lock to hold the spooning lid in the open position is a combination of a spooning lid tongue and a friction engaging slot. The lock to hold the spooning lid closed includes an arcuate latch projection which extends at an acute angle to the spooning lid bottom surface and a cooperating keeper which partially defines the spooning opening and is formed by an arcuate cantilever. Also provided is a reinforcing web extending from the bottom of the spooning lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Magenta Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Groya, Richard W. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5060813
    Abstract: In containers (1( with a screw cap closure (2), both of plastic, the sealing and the firm fit of the screw-cap (2) are improved, in the event of the container dropping, by virtue of the fact that a conical sealing ring (10), which presses from the inside against the mouth rim (5) of the pouring spout (3), is combined with an O-ring seal (13), which is inserted in an undercut annular groove (11) sunk in the end face (6) of the screw-cap closure (2) between the conical sealing ring (10) and the peripheral wall (7), and that in the closed condition the mouth rim (5) bears tight against the peripheral wall (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albert Gollasch, Johannes Engst
  • Patent number: 5044521
    Abstract: Bottle mounted liquid metering apparatus including a helical fastener band self-adapting to a thread pitch. In alternative embodiments, collars rotatively supported relative to a pour tube and a plug portion control the size of a vent aperture and/or a fill window within the interior of the bottle along the pour tube and thereby the volume dispensed; a bottle vent integrally extends from the body of a threaded cap or a plug in radial relation thereto; and electronically timed annunciator means sequentially, uniformly meter a dispensed volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Arganius Peckels