Closure Portion Engagingly Enters Receptacle Mouth Patents (Class 215/354)
  • 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: 5172739
    Abstract: A waste-liquid transfer device. In a first embodiment, the device includes a receiver assembly having a horizontal bottom wall and a vertical side wall integral with the bottom wall, providing a receiver cavity for temporarily holding the waste liquid. The vertical side wall defines a cylinder concentric with a standard fifty-five-gallon drum having a top with an opening in it. The receiver assembly fits snugly over the top of the drum, and a drain tube extending downward from the bottom wall fits into the opening in the top of the drum. In a second embodiment, the device includes a receiver assembly having a horizontal bottom wall and a vertical side wall integral with the bottom wall, providing a receiver cavity for temporarily holding the waste liquid. The device further includes a drain pipe leading from the receiver assembly to a storage tank, and a frame supporting the receiver assembly during the transfer operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventor: Michael J. Ristroph
  • Patent number: 5152416
    Abstract: A plastic container and lid both of resilient material with the container having spaced thread segments below its upper edge and the lid having a central section from which extends an outer sealing section with a curved upwardly sloping inner wall and thread segments on the inside of a skirt wall extending downwardly from the sealing section. Threading of the lid onto the container in a downward direction brings the inner periphery of the container upper edge into an increased contact with the lid sealing section curved upwardly sloping inner wall and the latter also exerts an outward radial force on the container wall to enhance the sealing action and which also tightens the engagement between the lid skirt and container wall in the areas of their mating threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Tucker Housewares, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Cassel
  • Patent number: 5150803
    Abstract: A lid assembly for attachment to a decanter for varying the overall height of the decanter comprising a mounting sleeve which is attachable to the open upper end of the decanter and a lid dimensioned to be attached to the mounting sleeve. The sleeve includes an opening extending therethrough communicating with the interior of the decanter, and at least one column of vertically aligned, horizontally oriented slots. Each of the slots has a side communicating with the opening through the sleeve. A recess is formed in the sleeve adjacent the column of slots, the recess being in communication with the opening through the sleeve and communicating with each of the slots. The lid is dimensioned to be telescopically received within the opening in the sleeve and be rotatable within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Mr. Coffee, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Cartellone
  • Patent number: 5143234
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards improvements in snap hinge dispensing closures for molded plastic bottles. In particular, snap hinge closures of single walled construction are provided with means for positively aligning with the front of the bottle, and a relatively deeper thumb recess for facilitating lifting of a snap hinge closure lid. Means are also disclosed to prevent reverse rotation of the closure once positive alignment is achieved. Other disclosed features include a plug to prevent leakage of the bottle contents and means for preventing axial pivoting of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Zeller Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Lohrman, Klaus Thanisch
  • Patent number: 5133471
    Abstract: The stop device for cap threads is preferably applicable to plastic caps which are coupled by screwing on the corresponding neck of a bottle containing liquids.The device consists of a thickening or projection (8) provided in the inner part of the cap (1), specifically in the intersection part between the side surface of said cap and the bottom of the same. When the cap (1) is screwed on the neck of the bottle this thickening (8) stops against the first thread (2') which the neck of the bottle has, constituting an obstacle resistant enough to prevent the cap (1) in its last screwing phase from continuing screwing on the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Ultimos Desarrollos, S.A.
    Inventor: Juan Pujol Almirall
  • Patent number: 5105961
    Abstract: A screw top closure comprising a screw lid (10) with internal threading and a separate lid attachment (11) with external threading. The lid attachment (11) is designed for application on the neck (12) of a container (13) to carry the removable lid, the lid attachment (11) being in the form of an annular element with an upper part (14) serving as support for the lid (10), and two concentric tubular flanges (15, 16) protruding downwardly therefrom. These flanges between them in downward direction define an open pocket (17) for receipt of the neck (12) of the container (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: AB Cerbo
    Inventors: Mona Noren, Rudolf Gladys, Jan Berglund
  • Patent number: 5100013
    Abstract: The closure includes a bottle cap having a thread on the inner surface of the side wall and a hollow plastic container having an open neck end including a lip region with an outer threaded wall portion extending downwardly therefrom and engagable with the thread on the cap. The lip region includes tapered portions engagable with corresponding tapers on the cap with the lip region placed under stress against the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Extrudiplast Investments, S.A.
    Inventor: Herbert Strassheimer
  • 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: 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: 5020683
    Abstract: The closure includes a bottle cap having a thread on the inner surface of the side wall and a hollow plastic container having an open neck end including a lip region with an outer threaded wall portion extending downwardly therefrom and engagable with the thread on the cap. The lip region includes tapered portions engagable with corresponding tapers on the cap with the lip region placed under stress against the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Extrudiplast Investments, S.A.
    Inventor: Herbert Strassheimer
  • Patent number: 5009323
    Abstract: A closure including a standard threaded cap having a tamper indicating band depending from the cap skirt by frangible webs. The tamper indicating band has an inwardly directed bead which cooperates with a flange on the container neck which allows the band to rotate with the cap but prevents the band from being removed past the container flange. Alternatively the tamper indicating band contains spaced ratchet teeth which engage ratchet teeth on the container neck to prevent further rotation. A rotary seal is provided between the cap and container neck which is effective for an axial length A greater than the sum of a distance B between the cap bead and the container flange when the cap is tightened or the axial movement of the cap in rotating the ratchet teeth into contact and the distance C which the frangible webs stretch before fracture. Thus the rotary seal prevents access to the product prior to breaking the tamper indicating band loose from the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Gary V. Montgomery, Terry E. Beck
  • Patent number: 4969566
    Abstract: Several embodiments of a novel closure are disclosed for closing and/or opening the neck of a container of the semi-rigid type. The first embodiment of the closure consists of a top having a elastic spring with a plurality of prongs for holding a closure top to the inside of the container. In the second and third embodiments of the closure, an elastic bulbous insert or compressible substantially wedge shaped or cylindrical shaped inserts are used to seal the opening of the container. In the fourth embodiment of the invention, use is made of a closure having spaced peripheral flanges in a ring with bulbous or straight ends for sealing a rigid type container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Inventor: Grafton D. Rogers
  • 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: 4946055
    Abstract: An improved synthetic resinous molded threaded cap for use on necked containers permitting initial press fit installation and subsequent threaded engagement. The cap is provided with a tear seal, an inner surface of which provides mutual engagement of an inwardly projecting rib with a corresponding rib on the container neck. Rupture of the tear seal removes this rib and allows the cap to be threadedly engaged by further axial displacement of the cap upon the neck. The cap may be molded with a feathered free edge to facilitate removal from a mold without damaging the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventors: Edward J. Towns, Edward M. Brown
  • 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: 4892126
    Abstract: There is described a threaded dosing cap (1) for a container opening with internal thread (8) and front seal (9) as well as with a breaker type dosing cylinder (5) lying above the container opening in the closing position. A wetting of the container opening and surrounding region by the product running off out of the dosing cylinder (5) used is to be avoided by structural measures. According to the invention, the dosing space (5) is located above the container neck (3) as well as the front seal (9) thereof, and from the dosing space, as the cylindrical prolongation thereof, a product drain ring (6) extends into the container neck (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Herbert Bucheler, Paul O. Weltgen
  • Patent number: 4874102
    Abstract: Fail safe externally-applied releasable locks and internally-disposed seals for capped centrifuge containers, cryogenic vials and the like to insure closure integrity against specimen loss in whole or in part and contamination, the containers with cap being suitable for use in centrifuging, boiling and freezing of liquid specimens and during shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Multi-Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Jessop, David H. Jeffs
  • Patent number: 4856668
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bottle closure which is suitable, in particular, for champagne bottles having threaded mouths. This bottle closure is unitary made and is of plastic and has a stopper like sealing shank, with a smooth exterior, which penetrates into the neck of the bottle. A cap comprising an internal thread which is adapted to the external thread of the bottle is provided around the sealing shank. The latter projects somewhat beyond the thread of the cap so that, when the bottle closure is opened, a "plop" which is a typical noise of a champagne bottle, is produced. The bottle itself has a bead which, when the bottle closure is in place, is covered by the lower end of the cap. Between the uppermost turn of the thread of the cap and the beginning of the sealing shank on the cap there is provided a sealing lip which, when the bottle closure is in place, bears upon the upper edge of the neck of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Pfefferkorn & Co. GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Pfefferkorn, Hans Pfefferkorn, Viktor Reiter
  • 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: 4829006
    Abstract: A plurality of centrifugation vials having a common base form a cluster tray suitably shaped for receipt by a standard multiwell or cluster tray carrier for a centrifuge. The tray base is segmented into individual vial bases to facilitate separation of a given vial from the cluster tray if desired. The bottom surface of each vial directly under the vial's interior chamber is recessed from the bottom supporting surface of the cluster tray to avoid scuffing or scratching. A skirted snap-plug cap is also provided for improved sealing means and to decrease the risk of contamination upon opening and closing of the vial. The vials and cluster trays thereof are preferably formed from transparent polymeric materials which can support anchored cell growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Difco Laboratories
    Inventors: Jerry W. Smith, Deborah R. Siena
  • Patent number: 4800156
    Abstract: An anaerobic germiculture receptacle comprises a first receptacle and a second receptacle accommodated in the first receptacle; a sealing plug securing the seal against the first receptacle, the sealing plug including a bore in which the second receptacle is held; and a pushing rod insertable in the bore so as to push the second receptacle down, wherein all operation is safely carried out without breaking the air-tight arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Sankin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sadayuki Yuhda
  • Patent number: 4784259
    Abstract: A flexible diluent container has a vaned port plug which enhances or modifies the mechanical interlock with a stopper of an additive vial in a drug delivery system. The additive vial is screwed into the port of the diluent container with the recess of the vial stopper fitting over the engagement portion of the port plug. In doing so, the vanes or wings of the port plug present a minimal frontal area and hence minimal resistance to passage through the neck of the stopper recess. Also, being flexible, they tend to fold or wrap in against the core of the extractor as the vial and stopper are rotated and advanced into the seated position, thereby further reducing the axial forces involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Richard W. Grabenkort
  • Patent number: 4771902
    Abstract: A container has a bottleneck inversely mounted on a base packed by a bell-shape sealer made of elastomer material, of which the sealer includes plural annular extension rings concentrically circumferentially formed on an inside wall of the sealer, adapted to be turned up along the bottleneck to pack the bottle-neck tightly in a base when inversely mounting the container on the supporting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: Hsieh-Yih Teng
  • Patent number: 4768669
    Abstract: A top for sealing an elongated tube such as a test tube, a blood drawing tube or the like has a tubular body with a closed upper end, a depending sidewall and an opened lower end which form an open ended tube receiving chamber. The lower end of the sidewall tapers outwardly and forms an enlarged entrance. An annular sealing rib, which is formed at the upper interior corner of the tubular body, extends inwardly into the tube receiving chamber and sealingly engages the lip of the tube when the top is in place. An annular gripping rib, which is formed in the sidewall below the sealing rib, grippingly and sealingly engages the sidewall of the tube. A lower rib, which is formed below the gripping rib, facilitates placing of the top on the tube and gradual breaking of the seal when the top is removed. A thumb tab at the lower end of the sidewall assists in the removal of the top from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Elkay Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Kane, Herbert L. Bello
  • Patent number: 4712699
    Abstract: A package includes a container having an upper finish with inner and outer surfaces. The outer surface includes threads adjacent the top of the finish, and the inner surface includes a lower sealing section located solely in a section of the finish spaced downwardly from the upper margin of said finish. A closure for the container includes an inner valve having an outer sealing surface for frictionally engaging only the lower sealing section of the inner finish surface to provide a leak-proof seal for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Captive Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Lutz
  • Patent number: 4706829
    Abstract: A liquid containing and dispensing package comprising a hollow plastic container having a neck, a fitment interengaging the neck and closure. The fitment interengages the neck and has a first peripheral portion extending axially and having a portion defining a spout having a pouring lip extending axially inwardly of the end of the neck, and a closure comprising a top wall and a first peripheral wall extending from the top wall axially inwardly. The closure includes a radial portion extending from the peripheral wall and sealingly engaging an annular area of the fitment. The closure defines a dispensing cup and includes a second outer peripheral wall spaced from the first peripheral wall which has internal threads engaging external threads on the neck of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest L. Li
  • Patent number: 4697717
    Abstract: A stopper is provided, particularly for evacuated blood sample tubes, comprised of a combination of thermoplastic and rubber, which combination utilizes a plurality of circumferentially spaced joints containing an adhesive. The joints serve to mechanically hold the composite body of rubber and plastic together. The arrangement reduces the quantity of rubber used while retaining its desirable sealing properties, and reducing the quantity of relatively inexpensive thermoplastic and its desirable strength properties. The invention takes advantage of the relatively good joining properties of a rubber-adhesive combination, and avoids the relatively poor joining properties of a thermoplastic adhesive combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Grippi
  • 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: 4592477
    Abstract: A mushroom-like closure cap for containers under pressure, such as commercially used glass champagne bottles, made of aluminum or alloys of aluminum, particularly having a volume of 0.5 l, impermeable to gas, easy to reclose, prevents escape of foam when the seal cap is opened and a sharp pressure drop takes place. The mushroom-like closure cap (3) of aluminum metal is affixed to a mushroom stem (4) which has a sealing surface (6) on part B closing the bottle mouth and is corrugated (5) on its part (A) protruding into the bottleneck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Vaw-Folein-Verarbeitung GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Leonhardt, Otto H. Rhein
  • Patent number: 4546894
    Abstract: The invention relates to an enveloping or hooding stopper comprising a male piece constituted by a plate bordered by a skirt and comprising a teat at its center, on the same side as the skirt with respect to the plate. It further comprises a female piece or insert made of a material more malleable than that of the male piece, disposed on this teat and wedged by appropriate means between the teat, the plate and the skirt. The invention is particularly applicable in the bottling industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Anciens Ateliers Macler P. Suinat & Cie Srs
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre A. Suinat, Rene P. J. Suinat
  • Patent number: 4534484
    Abstract: A water cooler bottle closure made of a closure cap adapted to fit over the neck of a water cooler bottle, which closure cap has an opening formed at its bottom. A flange projects around the periphery of the opening to define an inner chamber. A base is provided to close the opening so as to enable the formation of an ice plug in the inner chamber when the latter has been filled with water and subjected to freezing conditions. A water bottle filled with such a closure, after having removed its base, can be tilted over a water cooler and during that process no spill takes place. The plug of ice then slowly melts and water runs into the cooler in the usual manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Inventor: Francois Deland
  • Patent number: 4531651
    Abstract: There is disclosed a closure, more particularly but not exclusively used for blood sampling tubes. The closure comprises a core section of elastomeric material constructed and arranged to be received at least partially within the tube, i.e., the container, and an annular outer section of substantially non-elastomeric material disposed radially of the core section. The annular section is spaced from the core section over a part of its length to provide an annular recess for receipt of the container neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Inventor: Thomas K. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 4498597
    Abstract: A container (11) for use in combination with a closure (19) has a threaded neck portion (14) and a flexible lip portion (16) which extends inwardly and upwardly from the top of the neck portion (14) and which defines the opening (17) to the container (11). The closure (19) has a top portion (20) from which depends a threaded annular skirt (21) which cooperates with the threaded neck portion (14). An annular sealing ring (23) depends from the top portion (20) and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the flexible lip portion (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Inventor: Joseph E. Bashour
  • Patent number: 4480424
    Abstract: An inflatable member fabricated of an elastomeric expandable material is provided. The inflatable member has a sack-like configuration and is provided with a substantially centrally disposed nipple. A plastic disc is secured to the upper portion of the inflatable member or formed integrally therewith and the nipple extends upwardly through a central aperture in the disc. The inflatable member is positioned within the neck of a bottle, especially a wine bottle, with the disc positioned atop the lip of the bottle. The inflatable member is then filled with a pressurized inert gas through the nipple causing the elastomeric material to expand and be forced into contiguous and coextensive relationship with an interior portion of the bottle neck, thereby hermetically sealing the bottle. The nipple is then heat fused to maintain the hermetic seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Philip Seldon
  • Patent number: 4446981
    Abstract: Bottle cap having an outer peripheral skirt for receipt around the neck of a bottle has an axial end for closing the bottle mouth. The axial end has a central raised portion the bottom periphery of which flanges outward to form a peripheral top collar portion which overlies the thickness of the bottle neck end face with the peripheral wall of the central portion having an o.d. not greater than the inner diameter of the bottle neck portion. The central portion of the top is collapsible vertically downwardly with the peripheral wall convoluting interior of the bottle neck into pressed circumferential engagement with the i.d. to provide an effective 360.degree. seal. Upon removal of the so-collapsed top from the bottle, and attempted closure, the convoluted portion will interfere with the neck wall of the bottle forcing the central portion to project upwardly providing a tell-tale sign that the bottle has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Inventor: Sidney M. Libit
  • Patent number: 4402911
    Abstract: A vial for the storage of soil gas samples comprises a chamber having a passage extending away therefrom which serially defines a generally annular shoulder and a generally frustoconical surface each facing away from the chamber. A resiliently pierceable septum is positioned against the shoulder and a shaped plug is positioned against the generally frustoconical surface to provide a redundant seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: John P. Walters
  • Patent number: 4394923
    Abstract: A bottle cap composed of a cap body and an inner plug to be fitted inside the cap body. The cap body has an annular groove in the upper part of the inner wall. The inner plug is provided, at the uppermost part of the pot-shaped plug body, with an outwardly extending annular radial flange, which is provided on the lower face thereof with an annular shoulder to constitute an upper portion with a larger diameter and a lower portion with a smaller diameter, wherein said larger diameter portion engages said annular groove of the cap body while said smaller diameter portion has a lower face which engages the uppermost brim of the bottle mouth when the cap is mounted on the bottle. Thus the cap of the present invention can be mounted separately in the order of the inner plug and then the cap body, or mounted together in a pre-assembled state, and is always removed as a unit from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 4390111
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved sealable vial for storage of materials. The vial includes a tubular body portion sealed at one end and provided with an aperture at the opposite end. The tubular body is further provided with a male spiral thread about the aperture end and a tapered section extending inward from the aperture. A sealing insert is attached to the body for positioning in either a closed position wherein it seals the aperture or an open position wherein the aperture is open. A cap fits over the sealing insert in the closed position and seals the vial. The cap includes female threads which mate with the male threads of the tubular body to secure the closure.The vial is particularly adapted for cryogenic storage of organic samples. The vial is also adaptable to other applications wherein complete sealing is required under wide temperature and pressure range conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Robbins Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Robbins, Paul B. Robbins, Dennis C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4354609
    Abstract: A tamperproof closure for a bottle or other container having a neck portion with an external rib comprises a cap body of flexible, resilient material. This cap body includes an annular rim and a pair of skirts depending respectively from the inboard and outboard edges of this rim. The outboard skirt is provided with an internal rib that is adapted for lockable coaction with the bottle neck rib; and a circular top panel is connected to the inboard skirt to cooperate with the inboard skirt in defining a recess for receiving a cap-mounting tool. In accordance with the invention, the rim and its connection with the skirts cooperate to define a resilient hinge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Inventor: Walter E. Hidding
  • Patent number: 4341320
    Abstract: A bottle cap having an outer peripheral skirt for receipt around the neck of a bottle with an axial end overlying the throat opening of the bottle, the axial end having a first annular flat land adjacent the outer periphery and a central land raised above the flat land and connected to a flat land by an annular convoluted portion adapted to be received interiorly of the throat opening. The convoluted portion is deformable such that the central land can be depressed to a point approximately coextensive with the top surface of the annular flat land. During depression the convoluted portion snuggly engages the inside diameter wall of the bottle neck. The convoluted portion is dimensioned such that when the cap is placed on the bottle and urged downwardly with respect to the bottle top, the central land will assume a position elevated above the annular flat land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Inventor: Sidney M. Libit
  • Patent number: 4290535
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a seal bung for the closure of a bottle, comprising a central body, a part for sealing hold against the bottle glass finish internal wall, and an annular flange with bell-shaped edge, suitable for being held in an internal groove of the metal closure and hugging the rim of said glass finish. The seal bung comprises a central hollow body, an inward-looking closed bottom an annular flange extending from the top of the central body circumferential wall, said part being composed by a lip extending from the flange towards the inside of the bottle and separated from said wall so that it forms an annular hollow space communicating with the inside of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1981
    Assignee: Alucaps Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventor: Erminia Reina
  • Patent number: 4274543
    Abstract: A closure structure for a two-compartment vial or container wherein a lyophilized medication is contained in one compartment and a solvent is contained in the other compartment. A displaceable, moisture-proof plug is removably disposed within a constriction between the two compartments. The closure structure includes a stopper which is partially inserted into the neck of the vial and a cap having a portion for fastening the cap to the vial neck. The cap has a cup portion of reduced diameter which snugly surrounds the protruding portion of the stopper and is disconnectible from the fastening portion in order to move with the protruding portion of the stopper into the neck of the vial under manually applied pressure. The cup portion is then removed so that the needle of a syringe can be inserted through the stopper to communicate with the interior of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: The Upjohn Company
    Inventors: George W. Braymer, Jr., Stephen H. Diaz
  • Patent number: 4253581
    Abstract: A container having an external screw thread is closed by a synthetic plastics stopper comprising an internally threaded cap with a seal part protruding from the cap top, this seal part having an outwardly protruding seal section which in use is bent back outwardly by the inner wall of the container neck. The screw thread on the container neck, the screw thread on the cap and the seal section are such in relation to one another that in applying the stopper the seal section contacts the container neck and is bent back thereby before the external screw thread on the container and the internal thread on the cap come into engagement with one another. The seal section preferably consists of permanently deformable material so that on unscrewing the stopper, the seal between the stopper and the container opening is broken before the threads come out of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Albert Obrist AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Aichinger, Albert Obrist
  • Patent number: 4244480
    Abstract: Cap for sealing containers comprising a hood member, a resilient sealing member adapted for press fit insertion in the container neck, an axial rod engaging internally with said sealing member and an annular portion fixedly attached to said hood member and adapted for retaining the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: Teco Iberica, S.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Puig Planas
  • Patent number: 4230231
    Abstract: A reusable closure cap for sealing a vial, comprising a rigid tubular screw-type cover having as an integral part thereof a relatively soft highly elastic stopper bonded to the interior of the closed end of the tubular cover. The elastic rubber stopper has a centrally positioned hollow interior portion coaxially with and facing the open end of the vial to be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: Coulter Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Burnett, John W. Box
  • Patent number: 4206852
    Abstract: A linerless plastic closure is disclosed which is adapted to seal containers for pressurized contents such as carbonated beverages and which utilizes a plug configuration that is designed to expand under pressure. This is accomplished by making the plug in the form of a disc spring washer with tubular supports joining it to the top of the closure. Pressure against the disc spring washer increases the pressure of the seal against the interior surface of the bottle mouth to provide a reliable seal. The closure may have a slot through the threads on the closure to permit rapid escape of gases from the container during removal of the closure from the container. In this way, dangerous blow-off of the closure from a container is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Lloyd G. Dunn, Elmer E. Pohlenz
  • Patent number: 4192428
    Abstract: A bottle cap which reliably seals a bottle at high and low temperatures and which nevertheless can easily be removed by hand without a tool. The cap is made of two parts: An outer cap member of hard plastic material and a sealing insert of soft plastic material. In the closed position the outer cap member is fixed against the inner sealing member by means of a detachable opening ring, which firmly holds the sealing insert clinging to the bottle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Inventor: Bruno J. Segmuller
  • Patent number: 4175668
    Abstract: A device for sealing containers, such as bottles with a beaded neck, is disclosed in the form of a cap having articulated straps provided with projecting jaws adapted to engage the cap below the head of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Hebert