Resilient Sheetlike Member Closes Vent Opening Patents (Class 220/203.16)
  • Patent number: 12084223
    Abstract: A container system that includes a container element with a hole or series of holes that are sealed by at least one seal assembly with at least one seal element. When the container system is placed into material to be captured, the seal element of the seal assembly is displaced from the holes when material exerts inward pressure on the seals, allowing the container system to self-fill with material. Once the desired amount of material is captured, the container system is removed and captured material exerts outward pressure on the seal assembly, causing the seal element to close the holes and the container system to self-seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Inventor: Steven E. Glenn
  • Patent number: 11975895
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-purpose container configured to retain granulate material for short- or long-term use. Furthermore, the present invention will provide various rates of flow to access the granulate material at a rate suitable for the user. This is accomplished through a container body, a removable cap, and a measuring cup. The removable cap further includes a plurality of spouts and is configured to removably attach to the container body, while the measuring cup is configured to removably attach to the removable cap. These components work in conjunction to form a multi-purpose container configured to facilitate the pouring of the material held within the container body at a desired flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: Stella Song
  • Patent number: 11937714
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a container (or cup) and a lid, and functions as a training cup assembly. The lid activates by a force applied by the user of the cup in order to withdraw fluid from inside the cup volume. The training cup feature permits removal of the contents from the cup while mitigating against leaks and/or spills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: JMBH Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Renz, Robert F. Rosasco, III
  • Patent number: 10059498
    Abstract: A flexible thermoformed dispensing package for a flowable material that can be massed produced on a horizontal thermoform-fill-seal (HTFFS) machine includes a container portion that is dimensioned and configured with a flat self-supporting base, integral opposing side walls and a rear wall extending from the base, and a top wall or seam integrally formed from a single sheet or web, the side walls tapering from the base toward the integral rear wall and terminating at the top wall or seam; and a front wall that is heat-sealed as a separate sheet to the periphery of the periphery of the base, side walls and top wall to form a fluid-tight package that maintains a stand-up orientation when in use, and optionally includes an integral dispensing tube with an optional internal extension terminating proximate the supporting base for withdrawing liquid contents from the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Barton Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Lewis Barton
  • Patent number: 9888796
    Abstract: A non-spill container having a collar and seal assembly from which drinking can occur at any location around a rim of the collar and seal assembly. The collar has an open upper end, a closed lower end, and a sidewall. The open upper end is proximate to and includes the upper end of a side wall, an upper perimeter and a rim. The closed lower end has a projection extending upward therefrom and at least one passage disposed through the closed lower end to channel a fluid. The sidewall has a tapered shape that extends from the open upper end inward toward the closed lower end and has a support surface provided along an inner surface adjacent to the open upper end. The support surface has at least one radial protrusion is disposed radially adjacent to the support surface to define at least one channel. A fastener assembly is provided on an external wall of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MUNCHKIN, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Bryan Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin Douglas Johnson, Matthew Joseph Saxton
  • Patent number: 9776769
    Abstract: A steam release standing pouch has a structure in which the sealing portion is reliably peeled, and a content sealing standing pouch formed using the pouch. The steam release standing pouch has a first vapor passage portion. The distance between the inner edge of the tip of the vapor passage portion and the center of maximum expansion, which is the center of the portion where expansion is expected to be maximal, is shorter than either the distance between the inner edge of the first upper side portion and the center of maximum expansion or the distance between the inner edge of the first intermediate side portion and the center of maximum expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideya Kondo, Hirofumi Kawai
  • Patent number: 9527629
    Abstract: Provided are a steam release standing pouch, which has a structure in which the sealing portion is reliably peeled, and a content sealing standing pouch formed using the pouch. The steam release standing pouch has a first vapor passage portion. The distance between the inner edge of the tip of the vapor passage portion and the center of maximum expansion, which is the center of the portion where expansion is expected to be maximal, is shorter than either the distance between the inner edge of the first upper side portion and the center of maximum expansion or the distance between the inner edge of the first intermediate side portion and the center of maximum expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideya Kondo, Hirofumi Kawai
  • Patent number: 8911150
    Abstract: A one-way valve is disclosed, particularly for foodstuff packages, the valve designed to be mounted on a package and arranged to open in response to an excess pressure inside said package. The valve includes an aperture formed in the package material. On top of the aperture an adhesive layer is arranged. The adhesive layer is arranged in such a manner that the valve, upon opening, exhibits a pre-defined channel allowing passage-through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Micvac AB
    Inventor: Martin Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 8784920
    Abstract: In one embodiment of an apparatus and process for packaging foodstuffs or other materials in a rigid container sealed by a flexible cover, a desired quantity of material to be packaged containing or together with some water or other liquid is placed in the container, the flexible cover is secured on the container so as to leave at least one unsealed opening, the container is heated and/or placed in a partial vacuum to bring the liquid above its boiling point to cause or permit vapor generated by the boiling liquid to expel other gases from the container through the unsealed opening, and the container is sealed while gas or vapor is still flowing out of the container through the unsealed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: St. Dalfour SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Francois M. Bardou, Roland Guezennec, Jean-Pierre Lhommond
  • Patent number: 8657140
    Abstract: A filler cap for a fuel tank wherein, when a pressure increases in the fuel tank, the valve body moves upward so an upper peripheral edge part of the valve body may be contacted to a first surface of shoulder cylinder portion, thereby shutting down a connection between a second space of cylinder main body and a third space connected to atmosphere. When the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a pressure for a deformation strength of the valve body, a central part of the valve body enters into the third space causing deformation to shorten the outer diameter thereof; in the peripheral part of the valve body a concave portion not contacted to a lower end of a third surface that forms the third space, and the second space and the third space are connected via a space of this concave portion to release excessive pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: Masashi Iwami, Masao Iwami
  • Patent number: 8640897
    Abstract: A teat for a feeding bottle has a one-way valve located remotely from the nipple of the teat to allow air to enter the feeding bottle to replace liquid sucked out of the bottle through the nipple while preventing liquid from leaking from the bottle. The one-way valve comprises an inwardly-oriented depression having opposed mutually inclined side walls meeting along a ridge having a slit. In the invention, when undeflected, the side walls make line contact with one another at the ridge and the thickness of the side walls is less than 0.4 mm so that, when acted upon by an increased pressure in the feeding bottle, the side walls collapse against one another and make sealing contact along a surface that extends from the ridge in the direction away from it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ilan Zadik Samson
  • Publication number: 20130284739
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a vented storage container that includes a container that has an upper mouth-defining structure, a base, and a plurality of walls extending from the base, forming a cavity therein. The lid is fixable to the upper mouth-defining structure, wherein the lid has a top surface and a bottom surface, and at least one hole formed within the lid. A valve is engaged to the lid and covering the at least one hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Robert William LACKEY, David James MCNAMARA
  • Publication number: 20130284738
    Abstract: A sheet material for use in packaging having at least a first layer and at lease a second layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer are bonded together to fabricate the sheet material such that an area between the first layer and the second layer is unbonded so as to create a passageway having at least one opening on a first side of the sheet material and at least one opening on a second side of the sheet material, the passageway being a one-way valve integrally formed by bonding together the first and second layers to form the sheet material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Shlomo Uri Haimi
  • Patent number: 8528773
    Abstract: A valve stopper for sealing a vessel opening with a valve body which may be applied to the vessel opening made from a first rigid plastic material and a valve element integrally connected to the valve body made from a second elastic plastic material is disclosed. The valve element has a sealing surface section which may be brought into contact with a support edge and a connector piece, running from the sealing surface section which may be brought into contact with a support edge and a connector piece, running from the sealing surface section to support surface of the valve body facing the vessel opening and at a distance from the interposed valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Peter Streuer
  • Patent number: 8418876
    Abstract: The present invention provides a valve arrangement for location on a vessel for holding liquids, comprising: a supporting member configured to form a valve seat; a deformable sealing member located against said valve seat and arranged for deformation under an applied pressure to present a first gap between said sealing member and said valve seat in a region where pressure is applied to allow a liquid to be dispensed from the vessel via said valve arrangement, and a second gap between said sealing member and a valve seat in a region where pressure is applied, to allow air to enter said valve arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Gavin Reay
  • Publication number: 20130075396
    Abstract: A filler cap for a fuel tank wherein, when a pressure increases in the fuel tank, the valve body moves upward so an upper peripheral edge part of the valve body may be contacted to wall of a shoulder cylinder portion that forms a second space, thereby shutting down a connection between a second space of cylinder main body and a third space connected to atmosphere. When the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a pressure for a deformation strength of the valve body, a central part of the valve body enters into the third space causing deformation to shorten the outer diameter thereof; in the peripheral part of the valve body a concave portion not contacted to a lower end of the wall that forms the third space, and the second space and the third space are connected via a space of this concave portion to release excessive pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Masashi IWAMI, Masao IWAMI
  • Publication number: 20130048636
    Abstract: Containers are disclosed, as well as multilayer films used in such containers, which advantageously maintain a high seal strength even after being subjected to retort conditions for sterilization. These retortable containers and multilayer films are also beneficially self-venting upon exposure to microwave heating, when the internal container pressure exceeds a threshold value. The self-venting nature of these containers arises from particular sealing characteristics, in which the seal width differs in defined, self-venting seal regions, relative to non-venting seal regions of a given peripheral seal. Particular structural features and geometries of the self-venting seal regions can be used to improve the location of venting and control of the vented gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BEMIS COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: BENJAMIN PAUL MACK
  • Patent number: 8292109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure compensation device for compensating pressure between an inner chamber of a housing, in particular an electric motor, gearbox, container or the like and an outer side. The device includes a pressure compensation membrane mounted on an annular end face of a cylindrical structure that extends toward the outer side. The cylindrical structure is provided with a ventilation channel that extends therethrough. The cylindrical structure extends towards the outer side in order to form a projection from the wall of the housing, which projection is delimited by the end face on which the membrane is applied in a curved, dome-shaped form. A protective cover extends towards the outer side at a spaced apart distance in relation to the membrane over the cylindrical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Lauk, Norbert Wegner, Gerald Maier, Mario Huesges, Andreas Mueller, Regina Neigel
  • Patent number: 8245869
    Abstract: Provided are a packaging container for a microwave oven that excels in the sealing performance between a container body and lid, and that at heating/cooking by a microwave oven, maintains the internal pressure of the container for a given period of time to thereby enhance the taste of contents through steaming effect, and that thereafter, can spontaneously open with certainty from a steam releasing seal part; and an efficient process for manufacturing the packaging container. In the packaging container for microwave oven having a lid heat-sealed to the periphery of a flange part of container body made of a synthetic resin so as to attain hermetic sealing, at least one steam releasing seal part with a weakened part is disposed inside the peripheral seal part of the flange part at a position separate from the peripheral seal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisakazu Yasumuro, Shuuichi Nonaka, Osamu Gotou, Shie Nishimoto, Keizou Kanzaki, Kikuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7473399
    Abstract: For dispensing volumes of liquids, a hinged septum has a flap inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of a liquid channel. A deposition device deposits liquid on the flap, wherein the deposition device is arranged to contact the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernhard Dehmer
  • Patent number: 7351467
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, thin bodies of plastic, such as sheets or strands, with substantially different thermal coefficients of expansion, are laminated together to make plastic bodies that move in response to temperature change. The thermally movable plastic can be secured to a suitable base to make a variety of devices. In one embodiment, the thermally moveable plastic can be used in a beverage safety lid. The safety lid is particularly useful as a lid for hot drinks, such as hot coffee, soups and other foods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Greg E. Blonder
  • Patent number: 7045190
    Abstract: A packaging material is provided that can provide a packaging bag or container cover in which the contents is shielded from the atmosphere and tightly sealed, a small hole is formed in the appropriate locations, without special processing of the heat seal portion, and the internal pressure is maintained with high stability at a level above the normal pressure. The packaging material is suitable, for example, for heating in a microwave oven. The packaging material uses a film in which a heat sealing agent (4) with a low melting point is applied to a prescribed zone of an oriented film (2) made of a synthetic resin, a cutting line (5) is cut in the oriented film (2) made of a synthetic resin in the form of a solid or broken line passing through the zone coated with the heat sealing agent (4), and a cast film (3) made of a synthetic resin and having heat sealing properties is affixed to the oriented film (2) made of a synthetic resin. Such film is used for a packaging bag (1) or a container cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignees: Plast Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Inagaki, Sakaru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6877629
    Abstract: Container for storing food products including a base defining a product support surface for supporting the food product and a cover releasably engaging with the base such that when the cover engages with the base, a storage compartment is defined by the cover and the base. The cover includes an air control unit for controlling air pressure in the storage compartment and a window extending downward from the air control unit to surround food products in the storage compartment. A product supported on the product support surface of the base is visible through the window when the cover engages with the base. By providing the window as part of the cover, the base is separable from the window to thereby expose the product support surface of the base so that cakes can be easily placed on the product support surface and then enclosed by the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Housewares America, Inc.
    Inventor: Debbie Jean Meyer
  • Publication number: 20040118845
    Abstract: A venting device for a drum. The venting device includes a body having a pair of opposing sides and defining a plurality of vent passages. The vent passages extend through the body and each an opening at each of the pair of opposing sides. The vent passages are spaced apart and arranged around a center portion of the body. A membrane structure is positioned so as to cover the openings of the vent passages on one of the pair of opposing sides of the body. The membrane structure is sealingly affixed to the body portion in a sealing band surrounding the openings of the vent passages. A portion of the membrane structure is further affixed to the center portion of the body. A protective structure may be attached to the body and positioned over the membrane structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Dale Maenke
  • Patent number: 6726047
    Abstract: A resilient vacuum relief valve 52 is urged tightly on the lid stem 44 engaging the lid bottom 42 while encircling the vent 46 preventing air passage through the vent 46. The vacuum relief valve 52 is also formed of a pliable, resilient thermoplastic such as silicon and is in an inverted hat shape or dish shape as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and includes a circumferential outwardly extending rim 54 on top that has sufficient resilience to deform when exposed to negative pressure. This arrangement provides an air tight seal when the lid 38 is inserted into the canister body 22 and while it remains stationary, however, when the lid 38 is pulled upwardly, negative pressure within the canister 20 is created, forcing the valve 52 to break its seal and relieve the newly created vacuum within the canister 20 allowing it to be easier to dislodge the lid 38 and preventing dispersal of powdered contents out of the canister 20 during lid removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Shin-Shuoh Lin
  • Publication number: 20040040961
    Abstract: A lid for a food storage container includes a lid defining a vacuum sense opening and a vent opening extending through the lid body. The lid also includes a releasable cover disposed over the vent opening to impede air flow into the container through the vent opening until the cover is released. The lid further includes a pressure indicating dome defining a cavity therein, the dome in hydraulic communication with the container through the vacuum sense opening, the dome having a membrane that collapses toward the vacuum sense opening in response to negative container pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Montserrat Vilalta, Jose Millan, Juan Carlos Coronado, Mariano Penaranda, Antonio Rebordosa, Sergi Gili
  • Patent number: 6663284
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive one-way valve to control the release of pressurized gas from a sealed container wherein the sealed container has at least one venting aperture therein. The valve comprises a first layer of flexibly resilient material having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least the periphery of the lower surface of the first layer is adhered to the outer surface of the container and at least a portion of the interior of the lower surface is separable from the outer surface of the container. The separable portion and the portion of the outer surface of the container adjacent thereto forming an expansion chamber that is in communication with the venting apertures such that passage of gas through the venting aperture causes expansion of the expansion chamber. The expansion chamber also has a gas release aperture extending therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: 1361215 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Buckingham, Willem Anker
  • Publication number: 20030209545
    Abstract: An air tight canister (20) is taught that incorporates an integral vacuum relief valve for storing various food stuffs including powdered goods. The canister incorporates a body (22) in cylindrical shape with a lid (38) that interfaces with the top of the body for closing the canister to protect goods stored inside. The lid bottom has a downwardly depending stem (44) and one or more vents (46) adjacent to the stem that extend completely through lid creating an air passageway. A lip seal (50) is disposed securely on the lid, engaging the inside surface of the canister body in a air tight manner when the lid is inserted into the canister. A resilient vacuum relief valve (52) is positioned on the lid stem and engages the lid bottom encircling the vent preventing air passage through the vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Shin-Shuoh Lin
  • Publication number: 20020066732
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a food preservative container that is constructed such that when the container stored in a refrigerator is taken out of the refrigerator and is to be opened on a dining table, mere lifting up of a closure member with fingers gripping a finger grip makes it possible to achieve the operation of releasing the reduced pressure state inside the container and the operation of lifting up the closure member in a one-touch fashion. In a closure member attached with a finger grip portion and fitted over the opening of a container body, the finger grip portion includes a finger grip main body having a lower portion formed with an engagement portion that is inserted into a through-hole of the closure member while ensuring air communication through the through-hole, and a cylindrical outer cover portion formed from a flexible material and circumscribing the finger grip main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Takashi Ogino
  • Patent number: 6364145
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel or gas tank is subject to either a build up of pressure or a negative pressure, and in view of this inlet and outlet vents are provided in the fuel cap to balance the pressure with the atmosphere, and this balance of fuel tank pressure is attained by covers of vents in the fuel cap and the covers having an umbrella or parabolic shape or the vents may be covered by reed valves. The disclosure of covers of vents as described in this invention then obviates the use of coiled metal springs to control vents in vehicle fuel caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventors: Richard J. Shaw, Richard M. Boyd
  • Patent number: RE38991
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel or gas tank is subjected to either a build up of pressure or a negative pressure, and in view of this inlet and outlet vents are provided in the fuel cap to balance the pressure with the atmosphere, and this balance of fuel tank pressure is attained by covers of vents in the fuel cap and the covers having an umbrella or parabolic shape or the vents may be covered by reed valves. The disclosure of covers of vents as described in this invention then obviates the use of coiled metal springs to control vents in vehicle fuel caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Gas Caps, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Shaw, Richard M. Boyd