Fins Patents (Class 215/DIG1)
  • Patent number: 6112922
    Abstract: A tamper evident closure for use in the neck of a container has a plurality of severable connectors, connecting a tamper evident band with a hinged flange to the lower edge of a skirt. A support wall is located just inside the connectors where the connectors are attached to the lower edge. The connectors are strong enough to remain in tact during installation and transport, but weak enough to sever when the closure is subsequently removed from the container. The closure has severable connectors connecting a tamper evident band to a lower edge of a skirt. The connectors are at a 45.degree. angle relative to vertical when the container is in an upright position. In a further embodiment, a closure has a block seal that is thin enough to be easily removed from the mold in which the closure is formed without opening the mold in two directions. The block seal is thick enough to provide a solid seal between the closure and the container when the closure is installed on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Pano Cap (Canada) Limited
    Inventors: Karl H. Nofer, Jozef Krajnc
  • Patent number: 6082569
    Abstract: A plastic closure for sealing a container, the closure having a top portion and a skirt portion depending from the top portion. The closure has an annular sealing rib which extends within the cavity defined by the top portion and the skirt portion. The rib includes a first portion having a substantially cylindrical inner surface extending away from the underside of the top portion and disposed radially inward of the skirt and a second, frusto-conical, portion contiguous with the end of the first portion distal to the underside of the top portion and extending radially inwardly and terminating in a circular free edge, such that during engagement of the cap with the neck of the container, the second, frusto-conical, portion will be engaged by the free end of the neck and folded back against the first portion of the rib to form a gas-tight seal between the neck of the container and the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Closures and Packaging Services Limited
    Inventor: Rodney M. Druitt
  • Patent number: 6044994
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement is provided having a container neck having a sloped land surface. The sloping land surface is configured to prevent the liner from slipping across the land surface when the cap is applied to the container. The cap has depending downwardly from its inner surface an annular bead positioned relative to the land surface such that, when the cap is applied to the container, the bead extends down into the mouth of the container radially inwardly of the land surface. The land surface, together with the bead, stabilize and stretch the liner upon application of the cap, urging the liner to conform to the land surface. At least one sealing rib depends downwardly from the lower surface of the cap to provide additional sealing force between the liner and the land surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5836464
    Abstract: A plastic closure for sealing a container, the closure having a top portion and a skirt portion depending from the top portion. The closure has an annular sealing rib which extends within the cavity defined by the top portion and the skirt portion. The rib includes a first portion having a substantially cylindrical inner surface extending away from the underside of the top portion and disposed radially inward of the skirt and a second, frusto-conical, portion contiguous with the end of the first portion distal to the underside of the top portion and extending radially inwardly and terminating in a circular free edge, such that during engagement of the cap with the neck of the container, the second, frusto-conical, portion will be engaged by the free end of the neck and folded back against the first portion of the rib to form a gas-tight seal between the neck of the container and the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Closures and Packaging Services Limited
    Inventor: Rodney M. Druitt
  • Patent number: 5803286
    Abstract: The invention concerns a plastic screwable closure cap which possesses a bung type internal seal (4) for sealing a closeable container. The internal seal comprises a narrow sealing portion with an insert portion (6) immediately beneath, said insert portion serving to centre and gently introduce the internal seal. In order to attain the earliest possible venting of the closure cap when screwing off, venting recesses are provided on the insert zone (6). These prevent the insert portion from sealing the container, and enable the release of gas from the container as soon as the sealing portion comes out of engagement with the container mouth. The side surfaces of the vent recesses also serves as friction surfaces, in order to generally flatten irregularities on the container mouth before the actual sealing portion is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork AG
    Inventors: George Pfefferkorn, Michael Kirchgessner
  • Patent number: 5785196
    Abstract: The closure cap of a closure and container package for a pressurized liquid is designed with a sealing flange which depends from the cap top at an angle to a sealing location on the container wall so that an increase in container pressure will increase the sealing force of the flange against the container wall. A pressure relief passage is provided downstream of the sealing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Rexam Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5782369
    Abstract: A closure for a container having a two portion sealing rib projecting downwardly form the underside of the top. The first portion of the rib being contiguous with the top and the second portion being frusto-conical and contiguous with the end of the first portion and extending radially inwardly to terminate in a circular free edge. The upper surface of the second portion has an engagement means comprising a continuous annular ridge which engages with the underside of the top of the closure which in turn has a continuous annular ridge positioned inwardly and adjacent the first portion of the sealing rib. A closure for a carbonated liquid container having a sealing means which has attached thereto an abutment which will firmly engage with the thread on a neck of container if the closure is over-torqued thereby preventing missiling of the closure off the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Charles Martin Tansey
  • Patent number: 5762219
    Abstract: A plastic screw cap for closing a container, including a cup composed of a disk-like portion and a cylindrical wall that protrudes from the rim of said disk-like portion and has an internal thread that is adapted to engage a corresponding thread of the container, the cap further comprising an annular lip that protrudes from the disk-like portion concentrically with respect to the cylindrical wall, the annular lip acting as a shoulder for a sealing liner, so that the liner, when the cap has been applied to the container, frontally and externally engages the rim of the mouth of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola S.c.r.l.
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Parrinello
  • Patent number: 5730309
    Abstract: A container lid and container body locking mechanism includes a plurality of annular flanges and annular notch rings respectively and spaced apart in a pre-determined configuration so as to provide a tight leak-proof seal when the lid is fitted over the container body. A tamper proof detachable strip is provided in the container lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Poranunt Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Prajak Jiradejnunt, Glenn N. Tyler
  • Patent number: 5667089
    Abstract: A closure having an inner retaining area for receiving a closure liner. The liner circumferentially contacts the land surface of the container to cover the mouth of the container upon application of the closure to the container. A well, formed around the outer peripheral edge on the inside of the closure is dimensioned to receive the land surface of the closure. The well includes an upper surface having integrally depending flexible teeth. The walls of the well together with the teeth provide a directional force against the liner causing the liner to wrap around the land surface to increase the amount of liner to land surface contact and thereby counter the effects of irregularities on the land surface. The teeth also provide a localized compression force down against the liner to further increase the sealing contact between the liner and the land surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Phoenix Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Moore
  • Patent number: 5638972
    Abstract: A one piece plastic closure for sealing a container, the closure having a top portion and a skirt portion depending from the top portion. The closure has an annular sealing rib which projects downwardly from the underside of the top portion. The rib includes a first portion having a substantially cylindrical inner surface contiguous with the underside of the top portion and disposed radially inward of the skirt and a second, frusto-conical, portion contiguous with the end of the first portion distal to the underside of the top portion and extending radially inwardly and terminating in a circular free edge, such that during engagement of the cap with the neck of the container, the second, frusto-conical, portion will be engaged by the free end of the neck and folded back against the first portion of the rib to form a gas-tight seal between the neck of the container and the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Rodney Malcolm Druitt
  • Patent number: 5630522
    Abstract: A threaded closure is provided for engaging a threaded container neck. The closure has a dual sealing plug which provides a primary continuous rotary seal and a secondary self centering seal with the inside surface of the container neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Rexam Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5609263
    Abstract: A cap for a bottle having a tubular neck formed with an external screwthread and terminating at an annular rim surface has a cup-shaped body generally centered on an axis and formed unitarily with an end wall generally perpendicular to the axis. An annular skirt projects axially downward from the end wall and an internal screwthread in the skirt can mate with the screwthread of the bottle neck. A flexible annular web has an outer periphery joined to the skirt adjacent the end wall and an inner periphery secured to a seal ring. The web and seal ring are dimensioned to engage the rim surface when the cap is threaded onto the neck, and an antitamper ring is secured to a lower end of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Jacques Perchepied
  • Patent number: 5540349
    Abstract: A closure or lid for use with a container having an open end and a rim extending along the perimeter of the open end. The closure comprises a center portion which covers the container and an integral wall structure extending along the periphery of the center portion, the wall structure designed to attach the closure to the rim. The wall portion includes an inner wall adjacent the center portion, an outer wall spaced from the rim and a joining wall connecting the inner wall and the outer wall and forming a cavity therebetween, the rim being received into the cavity. The inner surface of the outer wall includes an inwardly extending projection which interlocks with a projection on the container rim and holds the lid onto the container. The outer wall is further provided with a plurality of slots which divide the outer wall into a plurality of separate and individual sections to allow for easy removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Bennett Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry M. Philips
  • Patent number: 5489036
    Abstract: A sealed container includes a base jar for containing a substance and a removable lid therefor. The base jar includes an upper portion with a screw thread and an upper wall extending inwardly and upwardly therefrom having a circular brim which defines a wide mouth opening, a brim portion with at least a 10% reduction, and an inside edge. The removable lid includes an encircling member extending downwardly from a top wall with a mating screw thread for the screw thread 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. For additional sealing, the removable lid further includes a circular flexible flange extending downwardly from the lid having a tip which is radially flexed relative to a remainder of the flange upon engagement with an upper wall of the jar to seal therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas D. Arkins
  • Patent number: 5454479
    Abstract: A plastic closure cover for closing a collet opening in the body of a motor vehicle comprises a dish-shaped part 2 including a bottom 3 and a cylindrical side wall 4 whose outer surface is equipped with contact elements 5. The contact elements are designed as obliquely arranged wings 6 that extend at least over part of the surface at an acute angle to radial lines of the side wall 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: TRW United Carr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 5449078
    Abstract: The combination of a container and a safety cap therefor in which the safety cap has a closure plane and a circumferential outer skirt for engaging a container and has a circumferential resilient depending inner member. The container has a rigid wall having an end for engagement with the cap internally of the outer skirt. The wall is tapered from a smaller diameter portion adjacent the closure plane of the cap to a larger diameter portion remote from the closure plane of the cap. The tapered wall of the container engages internally the resilient inner member of the cap and the larger diameter portion of the wall expands the resilient inner member outwardly to provide a working seal of the container as well as a bias on the cap in a direction of removal of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Thermar Corporation
    Inventor: Edward G. Akers
  • Patent number: 5423444
    Abstract: A one piece plastic closure for a container having an externally screw threaded neck, the closure comprising a top portion and an internally threaded skirt. The closure has an annular sealing rib which projects downwardly from the underside of the top portion. The rib includes a first, substantially cylindrical, portion contiguous with the underside of the top portion and lying adjacent or abutting to the skirt and a second, frusto-conical, portion contiguous with the end of the first portion distal to the underside of the top portion and extending radially inwardly to terminate in a circular free edge, such that during threaded engagement of the cap with the neck, the second, frusto-conical, portion will be engaged by a free end of the neck and folded back against the first, substantially cylindrical portion of the rib to form a gas-tight seal between the neck of the container and the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignees: MK Plastics Pty Ltd., Precision Valve Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodney M. Druitt
  • Patent number: 5385252
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventors: Walter E. Hidding, Douglas J. Hidding, Robert D. Hidding
  • Patent number: 5320236
    Abstract: A plastic container closure package with a linerless sealing closure system comprising a plastic container having a threaded finish for receiving a closure having a base wall and an internal skirt with complementary threads on the skirt. The plastic container is made by a process wherein a tube of molten plastic is inflated and blown to form the container and thereafter the tube is trimmed to form the sealing surface of the finish of the container. The closure includes an annular flange that extends downwardly from the underside of the base wall of the closure and radially inwardly of the closure for engagement with the container. The annular flange includes a smooth continuous frustoconical surface that faces the finish of the container and engages the inner edge at the juncture of the top surface and inside surface of the finish of the container. An annular stop extends axially from the underside of the base wall of the closure to limit the flexing of the annular flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Gregory
  • Patent number: 5297688
    Abstract: A closure for sealing a rim of an open mouth of a container including a substantially cylindrical end cap closed at a first end thereof by a top surface, open at a second opposite end thereof and including an annular side wall having a predetermined width extending between the first and second ends, the top surface including a first inside surface facing the interior of the end cap and a second exterior surface facing the exterior of the end cap, a first flexible seal member connected to and depending a predetermined distance from the first inside surface of the top surface proximate the annular side wall for cooperative sealing engagement with an outer edge of the container rim and for inhibiting outward distortion of the container rim, and a second flexible seal member connected to and depending a predetermined distance from the first inside surface of the top surface and within the confines of the first seal member for sealing engagement with an inner edge of the container rim and for inhibiting inward dis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Creative Packaging Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Beck, Terry E. Kubitz, Alex Kutaj
  • Patent number: 5275287
    Abstract: A molded screw-threaded plastics closure has depending from the underside of the top an annular sealing portion spaced inward of the skirt. The sealing portion includes a plug part with a sealing rib for engaging the internal surface of the neck of a container, a radially outwardly projecting flange above the plug part, and a waisted pivot part disposed between the flange and the top. As the closure is applied, the sealing rib first moves into sealing engagement with the bore of the neck of the container, and then the flange comes into engagement with the top of the neck of the container and causes the sealing portion to pivot outwards about the part to tighten the seal. An internal rib on the skirt engages the outer surface of the neck of the container to form a secondary seal. Forms of stop may be provided for limiting the movement of the closure and/or the pivotal deflection of the sealing portion to prevent over-tightening during application of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: MCG Closures Ltd.
    Inventor: Nigel Thompson
  • Patent number: 5259522
    Abstract: A linerless plastic closure is configured for side-sealing engagement with an associated container. The closure includes a circular top wall portion, and an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion, and including an internal thread formation. A two-component side-seal arrangement is provided which includes a relatively rigid support annulus, and a relatively flexible sealing lip. The sealing lip is movable into a position for sealingly engaging a generally outwardly facing surface of an associated container, with the relatively rigid support annulus desirably acting to enhance the sealing effect of the sealing lip. Notably, the relatively rigid sealing annulus further desirably acts to provide a self-centering action for the closure during application to a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: H-C Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh V. Morton
  • Patent number: 5161707
    Abstract: A linerless closure which provides an effective seal against oxygen penetration and moisture evaporation includes a cap with an inner annular member defining an annular outwardly directed sealing edge which forms a line seal with the inner cylindrical surface of a container wall and an outer annular member defining an annular inwardly directed sealing edge which seals against the outer cylindrical surface of a container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert V. Dutt, Gary L. Mengeu
  • Patent number: 5158195
    Abstract: In combination, a container and a linerless cap and a method of forming the cap. In the method the cap is molded from plastic and includes a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending substantially annular wall having an upper end integral with and depending from the top wall and a lower free end. Thereafter the free end is engaged by a curling tool to progressively turn the free end away from the internal wall to curve the free end into a curvilinear compressible and resilient free end adapted to be engaged for sealing. The engageable free end of the seal can have a coil, O, U, J or quarter round cross sectional shape and can be a rim, plug or corner seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5014868
    Abstract: The holding device for containers includes a receptacle member having a capacity which will accommodate a predetermined size range of containers. A selected container is held in the receptacle member by biasing members that are detachably secured to the receptacle member. The biasing members include a flap portion that resiliently bears against the container to detent the container in the receptacle. If a different container is not compatible with the biasing members, a second set of compatible biasing members can be interchanged with the first set. Since the biasing members are detachably secured to the receptacle member, the receptacle member can be formed of a plastic having one Durometer level and the biasing members can be formed of a plastic material having another Durometer level. Each Durometer level is selected to fulfill the optimum desired characteristics of the receptacle and biasing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: CCL Custom Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary P. Wittig, Tom Burpee
  • Patent number: 4971213
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic cap comprising a top plate and a skirt hanging down from the peripheral edge of the top plate, which are integrally formed of a plastic material, and a mechanism for clamping the cap to a vessel, which is arranged on the inner circumferential face of the skirt, wherein a receiving seat to be substantially exactly engaged with the top edge or peripheral edge of the vessel mouth and at least one sealing projection protruding from the receiving seat through a groove by a very small distance from the face of the receiving seat are arranged in an inner corner portion between the top plate and the skirt or in the vicinity thereof, and sealing is effected by the pressure generated by compression deformation of the sealing projection. In this plastic cap, plastic deformation of the sealed portion is prevented and a high durable sealing pressure is obtained. Accordingly, this plastic cap has an excellent pressure-resistant sealing property and an excellent venting property in combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Japan Crown Cork Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Ishinabe, Sumio Takeishi, Takashi Yazaki, Kiyoshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 4967926
    Abstract: A child-resistant molded plastic container lid for open head containers wherein a threaded connection is provided between the container and lid. The lid is provided with at least one and in certain instances with a pair of diametrically disposed resiliently biased locking members, pivotally connected to the closure, which cooperate with locking teeth on the container. The lever arms of the locking members are offset and substantially parallel to each other on opposite sides of the pivotal connection. An elliptical spring is integrally connected to each lever arm and cooperates with portions of a gusset wall enclosing the lever arm to provide continued biasing memory on the locking member. A seal arrangement is also provided between the lid and the container to provide a tight and rigid seal and to reinforce the top of the container and lid to prevent the lid from popping off the container when it is dropped while full of liquid or powder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Glenn H. Morris, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4955504
    Abstract: Injection-moulded plastic lid for a container having a first container upper rim part (15) which divergently adjoins the inner wall and which adjoins, via a sharp upper rim (28), an outwardly directed, downwardly sloping second container upper rim part (16) terminating in a downwardly directly apron (17) situated at a distance from the container wall. The plastic lid (2) comprises a first lid inside rim part (11) engaging said first container upper rim part, which first lid inside rim part merges, via a lid top inside rim (12) into a downwardly sloping second lid inside rim part (4) engaging said second container upper rim part (16). A circumferential chamber (29) is provided in said second lid inside rim part (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Wavin B.V.
    Inventor: Bernardus A. Lesscher
  • Patent number: 4917269
    Abstract: A liquid containing and dispensing package comprising a hollow plastic container having a neck comprising an upwardly extending integral dispensing spout, an integral web extending radially outwardly from the lower end of the dispensing spout and a cylindrical wall spaced radially outwardly of the spout and encircling the spout. The cylindrical wall has an internal thread, a closure having a base wall and peripheral wall with an external thread applied to the container. The closure includes an annular flexible sealing ring that engages the inner surface of the cylindrical wall and flexes upwardly to provide a seal. A sealing ring extends radially outwardly intermediate the peripheral wall and engages the top of the cylindrical wall when the closure is threaded onto container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuchs, William E. Fillmore, Eugene F. Haffner
  • Patent number: 4905852
    Abstract: A plastic closure for a container, such as a bottle having an externally threaded neck, has a top wall, an internally threaded sidewall, and a seal comprising outer and inner concentric sealing members that extend downwardly from an inner surface of the top wall. The outer sealing member extends downwardly farther than the inner sealing member and is substantially thicker than the inner sealing member. The outer sealing member is disposed to engage an outer corner of the rim of the neck of the bottle when the closure is threaded onto the bottle, and the inner sealing member is disposed to engage the top of the rim after engagement of the corner with the outer sealing member. The outer sealing member deflects outward slightly, and the inner sealing member deflects upwardly and inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Zapata Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno Zumbuhl
  • Patent number: 4878589
    Abstract: A linerless cap closure includes a circular top wall and a depending annular skirt having an internal thread with a tamper-evident band below the skirt. A sealing member is integral with the lower surface of the top wall and includes an annular protrusion having a depending annular axial projection. The tamper-evident band is connected to the skirt with a plurality of spaced tear tangs and a permanent connection and the band has an inwardly-directed bead with inclined ramps extending from the inner edge of the bead to the lower edge of the bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: American National Can Company
    Inventors: Charles Webster, Christian J. John
  • Patent number: 4872304
    Abstract: In combination, a container and a linerless cap and a method of forming the cap. In the method the cap is molded from plastic and includes a top well, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending substantially annular wall having an upper end integral with and depending from the top wall and a lower free end. Thereafter the free end is engaged by a curling tool to progressively turn the free end away from the internal wall to curve the free end into a curvilinear compressible and resilient free end adapted to be engaged for sealing. The engageable free end of the seal can have a coil, O, U, J or quarter round cross sectional shape and can be a rim, plug or corner seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4856667
    Abstract: Closure systems including a container having an annular projection integral with the lip of the container having a curled free end portion for engaging a cap and methods of forming and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4850497
    Abstract: An improved linerless plastic closure for large mouthed bottles and jars includes a plurality of ribs, at least one of which is wavy, projecting downwardly from the undersurface of the closure so as to contact the upper edge of the bottle or jar mouth. The wavy ribs give better surface contact with the upper edge of the bottle than conventional circular ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Ronald M. Kessler
  • Patent number: 4828130
    Abstract: A lid or a cap in particular for spice shakers consists of a lid bottom and a wall which encircles the lid bottom and projects downwardly therefrom at a substantially perpendicular angle. The inwardly directed face of the wall is provided with ribs which extend in the axial direction of the shaker, are spaced apart from each other and which when the lid is fitted to the shaker and when the lid is removed from the shaker preferably cooperate with an encircling rib formed at the upper edge portion of the spice shaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Jan Folkmar
    Inventor: Raimund Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4823967
    Abstract: A cap for a container having a depending wall with a free end adapted to constantly urge engaging means of the cap and the container together upon engagement therebetween. Preferably, the free end of the cap has low hoop stress when axially compressed to provide spring means which perform the required function. In forming the cap, preferably one end is attached at the top wall of the cap, its other end is free to move relative to the cap and a substantial horizontal intermediate element is provided therebetween. In use, the free end has a bearing surface at or beyond the horizontal element thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4811857
    Abstract: A closure system including a cap and a container, the cap having a seal adapted to be deformed by a deformation producing arrangement in the lip of the container which causes the seal to deformed wherein when the cap is moved and the deformation in the seal is no longer aligned with the deformation producing arrangement in the container the seal is broken. Caps and containers included within the system and methods of manufacture and use of the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4793505
    Abstract: A container closure includes a cap having depending interior tines in engagement with a tamper-indicating element and thereby moving the element into registry with a container access port. Load-sharing structure is incorporated in the cap to provide additive force for movement of the tamper-indicating element, such force being imposed on the element at a location spaced from the location of engagement of the tines and the element. The load-sharing structure may also provide for sealably reclosing the container upon opening of the closure and removal of the tamper-indicating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: TBL Development Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Towns, Edward M. Brown, William M. Lester
  • Patent number: 4793506
    Abstract: In combination, a container and a linerless cap and a method of forming the cap. The cap includes plastic and has a sealing surface which is softer than contiguous plastic portions as a result of its method of forming which includes stretching. In the method the cap is molded from plastic and includes a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending substantially annular wall having an upper end integral with and depending from the top wall and a lower free end. Thereafter the free end is engaged by a forming tool to progressively turn the free end away from the internal wall to create a stretched intermediate portion for sealing which is softer than its contiguous portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4770309
    Abstract: In combination, a container and a one piece, linerless cap and a method of forming the cap. The cap includes plastic and has a sealing surface which is softer than contiguous plastic portions as a result of its method of forming which includes stretching. In the method the cap is molded from plastic and includes a top wall and an outer depending skirt. Thereafter the top wall is engaged by a forming tool to create a stretched portion for sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • 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: 4741447
    Abstract: A linerless cap closure includes circular top wall and a depending annular skirt having an internal thread with a tamper-evident band below the skirt. A sealing member is integral with the lower surface of the top wall and includes an annular protrusion having a depending annular axial projection. The tamper-evident band is connected to the skirt with a plurality of spaced tear tangs and a permanent connection and the band has an inwardly-directed bead with inclined ramps extending from the inner edge of the bed to the lower edge of the bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: American National Can Company
    Inventor: Christian J. John
  • Patent number: 4739893
    Abstract: A linerless plastic closure has an integral frusto-conical sealing ring that seals with the rim of the neck of a container when the closure is applied thereto. The sealing ring has a hinge portion at an upper end thereof with a wall thickness that is small relative to that of an adjacent portion of the sealing ring, and has a preformed internal circumferential bead positioned to engage the rim at or near its top inner region. As the closure is applied to the container, the outer portion of the sealing ring first engages the rim, and the sealing ring is easily deformed by virtue of the hinge portion. After the bead seats on the rim, the sealing ring is stretched outwardly completely over the rim, with the bead serving to resist stretching from the hinge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Zapata Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno Zumbuhl
  • Patent number: 4726484
    Abstract: A package including a unique container adapted to cooperate with a closure for establishing a seal wherein the container includes a lower body section for receiving a material therein, and an upper, elongate finish joined to the body section. The finish includes an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface defining a passageway communicating the finish with the interior of the lower body section of the container. The upper region of the finish has a stepped configuration in either one or both of the inner and outer peripheral surfaces thereof, and each stepped configuration includes a generally vertically oriented, circumferentially continuous surface segment extending for only a part of the elongate extent of the finish, and a horizontal, upwardly facing ledge section joined at a junction to the inwardly facing surface segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Captive Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Lutz
  • Patent number: 4714167
    Abstract: A plastic linerless closure for sealing a container includes an integrated sealing mechanism forming at least a part of the top of the closure. The sealing mechanism includes a primary sealing region including a primary sealing flange adapted to engage the top of the container neck during application of the closure, an inner sealing region having an outwardly facing sealing surface which is situated contiguous with the inner surface of the container neck during application of the closure to the container neck and a central non-planar, e.g. concave, region. The inner sealing region is connected in an integrated manner to the primary sealing region and the central region, and the primary sealing flange is connected to the closure top by a hinge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: Jeffrey Sandhaus
  • Patent number: 4711365
    Abstract: A container and closure assembly having a unique sealing surface to provide a reliable airtight seal. A generally cylindrical container having sidewalls and a base cooperably engages with a closure member by threading means. As the closure member is twisted to engage the threads of the container, an annular face of the container rim engages a complementarily configured annular recess in the closure member. Situated within the annular recess are disposed an array of interspaced, projecting rib members. As the flexible rib members are depressed against the annular face of the container rim, the ribs compress and fold over to create an effective airtight seal. A secondary seal is provided by an inner bevel forming part of the interior surface of the annular recess and a beveled surface of the annular rim of the container. The inner bevel facing and beveled surface of the container cooperably meet to form the additional airtight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Fomby
  • Patent number: 4709824
    Abstract: A cap for a container and a method of forming the cap. In the method the cap is molded and includes a plastic skirt provided with a line of weakness. An essentially concave surface of a curling tool engages the lower free end of the skirt and curves it into a curled resilient interfering free end which reduces the internal breath of the plastic skirt prior to capping. Upon capping the curled free end is adapted to provide an interference with the container so that upon initial removal of the cap the line of weakness separates to indicate the condition of the container. The interfering curled free end of the plastic skirt can have a coil, O, U or J cross sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4708255
    Abstract: A linerless cap for a container and a method of forming the cap. In the method the cap is molded from plastic and includes a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending substantially annular wall having an upper end integral with and depending from the top wall and a lower free end. Thereafter the free end is engaged by an essentially concave surface of a curling tool to progressively turn the free end away from the internal wall to curve the free end into a curvilinear compressible and resilient free end adapted to be engaged for sealing. The engageable free end of the seal can have a coil, O, U, J or quarter round cross sectional shape and can be a rim, plug or corner seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4687114
    Abstract: A flexible closure for a container such as a blow molded jug having an inturned flange surrounding an opening therein and a pair of vertically spaced fastening configurations on the neck of the container, the closure having a resilient cap portion with an annular flange depending therefrom, vertically spaced fastening configurations on said annular flange positioned for registry with said fastening configurations on said neck, a lower portion of said annular flange forming a tear skirt. The fastening configurations on the neck of the container and the fastenign configurations on the annular flange of the flexible closure forming dual fasteners, either of which is capable of holding the closure on the neck of the container. One or more resilient flexible depending ribs on the resilient cap portion sealingly engage said inturned annular flange surrounding said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Northern Engineering and Plastics Corp.
    Inventor: Robert E. Crisci