Externally Adjustable Plug Or Gasket Patents (Class 220/233)
  • Publication number: 20040262309
    Abstract: A lid for a container comprises a groove for engagement with a rim of the container. The dimensions of the lid may be reduced sufficiently that the groove can be disengaged from the rim of the container without the use of a tool. An elastomeric section is moulded between two polypropylene sections such that when the recesses are squeezed together, the elastomeric section deforms and thereby allows a sufficient reduction in the diameter of the lid that the lid can be removed from the container without the use of a tool. A catch may be provided across the elastomeric section such that when the catch is in the closed position, the elastomeric section is prevented from deforming and the lid cannot be easily removed from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Brian Edwards
  • Patent number: 6726048
    Abstract: Closure construction for blow molded drums having an upstanding internally threaded neck. A closure plug with sealing gasket is screwed into the neck to provide a liquid tight seal. A plastic tamper evident overseal completely covers the plug and neck and is manually snapped in place so as to interlockingly engage the plug making both the plug wrench engaging structure and the overseal interlocking structure inaccessible without destruction of the overseal. A tear strip opening means is provided for authorized access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: American Flange & Mfg. Co., Inc
    Inventors: Davis B. Dwinell, Cornelis R. Van De Klippe
  • Patent number: 6702299
    Abstract: A closure includes an object to be closed. The object having an opening hole, a plug member to be inserted into the opening hole, and a seal member disposed on the plug member. The seal member is formed of a ring-shaped elastic member and contacts the object to be closed and the plug member to close the object. An insertion portion of the plug member is smaller than theopening hole. An insertion portion of the plug member is provided with a seal member-receiving groove and is smaller than the opening hole. The seal member-receiving groove is provided with a seal member-seating portion, which has an outer surface with a predetermined diameter smaller than that of the opening hole and larger than that of a bottom of the seal member-receiving groove. The seal member has a cross-sectional shape, which can be fitted into the seal member-receiving groove of the plug member. The seal member has an outer diameter larger than the opening hole in a mounting state into the seal member-receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Daiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Yamaguchi, Hikaru Ibi, Hirotoshi Tateishi
  • Patent number: 6557208
    Abstract: An obturator (1) for an opening (10) has a collar (2) comprising a peripheral lip (3) adapted to come into abutment on a face (10a) of the opening (10), and several teeth (6) mounted pivotally on the collar (2) and adapted to come into abutment on an opposite face of the opening (10) in a locked position of the obturator (1). The teeth (6) are also fixed to a flange (12) mounted pivotally on a pusher (8), the pusher (8) being adapted to pivotally move the flanges (12) between an unlocked position and a locked position of the obturator (1). The obturator is used notably for sealing closing an opening in a motor vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: I.T.W. de France
    Inventor: Laurent Huet
  • Publication number: 20030003023
    Abstract: A method for opening an opening (10) using an elastic plug (2, 2′) whose outside diameter in a static state (rL), is larger than diameter (rp) of opening (10), and which plug has a cavity (12) at its end. An extending device (4, 4′) is inserted into plug cavity (12) so that the plug is tightly pressed around extending device (4, 4′). Plug (2, 2′) is extended by inserting extending element (20) of extending device (4, 4′) into plug cavity (12) so deeply that outside diameter (rv) of plug (2, 2′) is equal to, or smaller than, diameter (rp) of opening (10). The extended plug is inserted into opening (10), and its extension is reduced such that plug (2, 2′) closes opening (10) and adheres to it so tightly that extending device (4, 4′) is detachable from plug (2, 2′). A method for opening the opening (10) when closed by plug (2, 2′) is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Matti Korpela
  • Patent number: 6296136
    Abstract: An obturator for an aperture (8) produced in a metal sheet (9) has a central dome (1), a peripheral lip (3) and an annular part (3) extending between the dome (1) and the lip (2). The annular part (3) has a shoulder (4). The dome (1) is adapted to deform between a starting position and a locking position of the obturator in which the dome (1) is turned inside out in relation to the starting position. The annular part is adapted to expand between the starting position and locking position and is maintained expanded by the inverted dome (1) in the locking position. The lip (2) is adapted to come into abutment against a face (9a) of the aperture (8) and the shoulder (4) is adapted to be in abutment against an opposite face (9b) of the aperture (8) in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: I.T.W. de France
    Inventor: Laurent Huet
  • Patent number: 6276545
    Abstract: A stopper for opened bottles having an external body (1) provided with an upper opening (4) designed to allow rotation of a lever (8) having an eccentricity (9). Operation of the lever allows, through an intervening arrangement of a cylindrical helical spring (22), lowering of an internal body (16) against a toroidal spring (15) causing radial deformation of the toroidal spring to allow gripping of the neck of the bottle underneath a shoulder on the bottle neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Marisa Marchignoli
    Inventor: Ruggero Ferrari
  • Patent number: 6189718
    Abstract: A fluidtight seal for a container is formed by abutting a metal ring with a step machined in a convexo-concave container closure device and inserting this assembly into an open end of the container. Under compressive force, the closure device deforms causing the metal ring to pivot about the step on the closure device and interact with symmetrically tapered inner walls of the container to form a fluidtight seal between the container and the closure device. The compressive force is then withdrawn without affecting the fluidtight characteristic of the seal. A destructive force against the container closure device is necessary to destroy the fluidtight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventor: Edward F. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5988423
    Abstract: A cover for a container includes a peripheral seal disposed in a peripheral chamber of the cover and radially expansible into sealing engagement with a wall of the container in response to axial or radial compression of the seal by a flexible rod inserted into the peripheral chamber and against the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: le Joint Francais SNC
    Inventor: Joel Auzureau
  • Patent number: 5931329
    Abstract: A device to adapt a coffee carafe in its height so that it may be used on a plurality of coffee makers of differing designs. It includes a hinged carafe lid adaptable to fit a coffee carafe and having an internally threaded bore located at the center of the lid, through which is threaded a hollow screw which has a substantially flat or conically-shaped surface attached to its upper end. The surface has holes that fit over the hollow portion of the screw. The height of the surface can be adjusted by rotating it so that the threads elevate or depress the substantially flat or conically-shaped surface, thereby positioning the surface immediately beneath the output spout of the coffee maker or engaging an activation switch or anti-drip valve mechanism at any portion of the coffee maker. The device may utilize a frictionally engaged cylinder within the center bore of the lid instead of the preferred threaded embodiment of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Melitta Haushaltsprodukte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hsinhan Wu
  • Patent number: 5855288
    Abstract: A combination of a container and a lid is provided. The container has an inner peripheral surface around an opening to the container interior. The lid is movable between (1) a closed position to cover the opening, and (2) an open position to expose the opening. The lid has (a) a peripheral wall, (b) a peripheral hinge that extends from the wall, (c) a plug seal wall that extends from the peripheral hinge, and (d) a central portion that extends from the plug seal wall. When the lid is in a closed position, the lid is displaceable from an outwardly projecting configuration wherein the plug seal wall is held in a non-sealing condition disengaged from the inner peripheral surface to an inwardly deformed configuration wherein the plug seal wall is held in a sealing condition engaged with the inner peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.
    Inventor: Milton R. Dallas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5779085
    Abstract: This invention is a new device that can be used to plug perforations in materials. This plug comprises a cylinder plug with a tapered bore partially extending through the plug from one end. A cylinder pin that is tapered substantially the same as the plug will fit in the plug after installation is complete. A shear flange surrounds the pin so that when the pin is installed in the plug, the shear flange is against a plug flange. The pin is adhered to the plug by means such as a thin layer of epoxy or glue which allows the pin and plug to be handled as a single component. The pin is designed so that while in this position, there is no significant radial expansion of the plug. The pin has a pattern of holes or grooves that extend the entire length of the pin in order to allow for the expansion of any trapped fluids in the bore of the plug. The pin can have a groove along the outer diameter to allow for easier handling of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Kenneth Havlinek, Michele Tesciuba, Thomas D. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 5524785
    Abstract: A device for preventing moisture, debris or other liquids from entering a hole adapted to receive a threaded member. The device comprises an interior plug having an external thread, an exterior plug having substantially the same diameter as the hole and suitably adapted such the top surface of the exterior plug is adapted to translate toward the interior plug when the threaded member is inserted into the hole. A resilient means, such as a spring, returning the exterior plug to a position such that its top surface is co-planar with the surface surrounding the hole when the threaded member is withdrawn from the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Jean E. Georges
  • Patent number: 5395000
    Abstract: The fluid container with reseatable stopper includes a plunger which has mounted at one end thereof a head which seats between a pair of ribs provided in the neck of the container to create a fluid tight seal therein. The plunger is actuated by a lever set in a cavity in a bottom surface of the container, the lever moving the plunger head into and out of engagement with the ribs. A small open area is created about the circumference of the plunger head which allows fluid to flow therearound in a controlled manner when the head is not seated between the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Billy J. Porter
  • Patent number: 5119956
    Abstract: An expendable closure assembly is provided for use (in multiple units) with a lockable pressure vessel cover along its rim, such as of an autoclave. This assembly is suited to variable compressive contact and locking with the vessel lid sealing gasket. The closure assembly consists of a thick walled sleeve insert for retention in the under bores fabricated in the cover periphery and the sleeve is provided with internal threading only. A snap serves as a retainer on the underside of the sleeve, locking it into an under bore retention channel. Finally, a standard elongate externally threaded bolt is sized for mating cooperation with the so positioned sleeve, whereby the location of the bolt shaft in the cover bore hole determines its compressive contact on the underlying gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Olisse C. Cioletti
  • Patent number: 5080248
    Abstract: A lid with a sealing device for containers includes a horizontal top (2; 50; 62), at least one air tube (6;51;63;73;83) attached to the lid (1;50;60;71;81), one or more suction cups (8;55;67;75;74;85;84) attached to the air tube and a hole (9;53;77;87) made in the lid and communicating with each air tube. Each suction cup accomplishes its sealing action between the lid and the container on which the lid is applied when the air tube to which each suction cup is attached is expanded by a compressed fluid, thereby causing the suction cups to adhere against the edge of the container and/or the lid applied on the container itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventor: Olimpio Stocchiero
  • Patent number: 5078294
    Abstract: A method for sealing holes, involves fitting an essentially bushing- and/or tube-shaped plug into a hole and then the wall of the plug is expanded radially along at least one axial segment. In this method, the plug is positively anchored axially in the hole. By this method of producing an axially positive anchoring of the plug in the hole, not only is a tight fit of the plug in the hole achieved, but a mechanical movement of the plug relative to the hole is reliably prevented. A hole arrangement is tightly sealed with an essentially bushing- or tube-shaped plug in the hole having a radially spread axial part fitting tightly in the hole. Between the hole and the plug a locking arrangement with axially positive effect is provided. In a hole arrangement of this kind, not only is tightness ensured, but also piston-like displacement of the plug in the hole is prevented. The hole arrangement can preferably be so designed that the sealing and locking parts are provided axially at different points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Koenig Berbindungstechnik AG
    Inventor: Willi Staubli
  • Patent number: 5056676
    Abstract: An improved bottle cap is provided for repeatedly obtaining airtight sealing engagement with a bottle having an annular external lip. The cap of the present invention is particularly well suited for sealing bottles containing sparkling wine or champagne, since such bottles conventionally include an external lip and since the cap of the present invention is able to seal gases within the bottle. The cap includes a housing having a central aperture for positioning over the neck of the bottle and having a radially inward directed flange for fitting beneath the external lip on the bottle. An activating carrier is movable within the aperture in the housing, and a ring-shaped pad holder and elastomeric pad are mounted on and are axially movable with respect to the carrier. A biasing spring is provided for acting on the holder and the pad to bias the pad toward sealing engagement with the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventors: Herbert Allen, deceased, by Virginia D. Bedford, executrix
  • Patent number: 5035266
    Abstract: A mechanical plug device for sealing pipeline access ports having a small threaded inner surface. The mechanical plug device has opposing inner and outer circular plate members. The rigid plate members each have interiorly tapered circumferential shoulders of generally the same predetermined slope. The inner plate member has an inner surface, an outer surface, a central aperture and a central cavity extending inward from the tapered circumferential shoulder. The outer circular plate member has an inner surface, an outer surface, a central aperture and an outwardly extending structure from the tapered circumferential shoulder for movement into the central cavity of the inner plate member. The device further has an elastomeric radially expandable pre-threaded O-ring structure which has an outer circumferential threaded surface configuration. The O-ring structure has a V-shaped bottom cross-section defining inclined surfaces of a predetermined slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Cherne Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Bryan R. Benson, Marc P. Bevacco
  • Patent number: 4815629
    Abstract: A two-element plug having an elastomeric body and a nonsealing retainer molded within the elastomeric body, the retainer having gripping edges which springingly engage portions of the hole walls to maintain the plug body in place, even against a rough as-cast surface having a draft angle. Discontinuities are formed in the gripping edge periphery through the use of scallops and the gripping edge periphery extends beyond the elastomeric periphery to promote better engagement of the walls of the aperture. When used with noncircular holes having rounded corner portions, the retainer is truncated in the corner portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventor: Edward F. Tausk
  • Patent number: 4719687
    Abstract: A multi-purpose pipe and seal/alignment device is provided for sealing pipe ends against internal or external pressure while protecting the pipe end preparation from damage to facilitate a permanent pipe joining process at a remote location in an adverse environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Walter C. Nanny
  • Patent number: 4676391
    Abstract: An improved impact plug assembly is provided which will not become entangled with neighboring such assemblies when a plurality thereof is shipped or stored in containers prior to use to close apertures in a workpiece. The plug is of the type having a cooperating crossbar for locking the plug in place in the aperture to be closed, the crossbar being retained in diametrically opposed slots formed in the peripheral walls of said plug. The improvement comprises the provision of raised means such as dimples on the surface of the plug on each side of the crossbars to prevent projecting edges of crossbars of neighboring plugs in a storage bin from becoming inextricably entangled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Buell Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4634018
    Abstract: An improved impact plug assembly is provided, said assembly having a plug for insertion into an aperture in a workpiece and a cooperating crossbar for locking the plug into place in the aperture, the improvement comprising at least one shear lip means formed in said crossbar outwardly of said plug adjacent said slots to engage said plug walls adjacent said slots, whereby said crossbar is captured in said plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Buell Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip D. Becker
  • Patent number: 4605140
    Abstract: A toggle-action end plug for a carrier tube used in transporting unmounted semiconductor packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Koors
  • Patent number: 4582209
    Abstract: Drums or vessels with bungs or orifices having generally cylindrical walls with edges capable of being sealed-against are sealed with closures that deform into contact with those edges and provide seals that are tamper proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Robert B. Moon
  • Patent number: 4325914
    Abstract: A laboratory pressure vessel having a cover plug suspended on a platform and extending therebelow. A vessel body is arranged to be moved into sliding engagement with the cover plug below the platform. Grooves in the walls of the cover plug and vessel body together define a toroidal space and a flexible element is arranged to be inserted into said toroidal space to secure the cover plug and body together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Autoclave Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Ruyak
  • Patent number: 4295578
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contractable closure member for sealing an open-ended container. The closure member comprises a top wall formed of a rigid material and an elastic bottom wall formed of a flexible material and having an upwardly extending continuous side wall. The side wall has a seal formed integral therewith, and this wall is securable to the top wall whereby the bottom wall is held in spaced relationship with the top wall. A retracting lever is pivotally secured in the top wall and has an engagement end and a pusher end. The pusher end is arcuately displaceable against a central portion of the bottom wall to distend the bottom wall whereby the side wall will be drawn inwardly to remove sealing pressure when positioned for sealing engagement in an open-ended container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Plastiques Modernes Ltee.
    Inventor: Daniel Parent
  • Patent number: 4287996
    Abstract: The problem of providing tight-fitting closures for containers is solved by the closures and the methods of installing and removing closures utilizing a closure (20) which includes a central portion (21) and an annulus portion (22) hingedly connected to the central portion by a hinge (23) to enable at least a portion of the annulus portion to contract during insertion and removal operations. The annulus portion pivots to an expanded position to become compressed between the central portion and the orifice surface (25). A retaining portion (68) in a modified form of closure serves to hold the outer edge of the annulus portion relative to movement of the central portion and to prevent premature removal. In installing and removing, the closure is readily adapted to be turned at an angle to the axis of the orifice for easier insertion and removal and for bung-type closures the filler apparatus for a beer barrel is useful in installing these closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Denver Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert J. Wanderer
  • Patent number: 4268360
    Abstract: When repairing a gate and vicinity of a coke oven chamber during operation, hot air blowing off the interior of the chamber makes repairs impossible or almost difficult. Disclosed is a temporary heat-proof apparatus capable of preventing such hot air from blowing off the chamber, which generally comprises two units in combination, viz. a heat-proof unit and a charging unit therefor. Both front end portions of the heat-proof unit are expandable toward side walls of the oven chamber, while upper and lower slide frames are arranged respectively to pressure-contact the ceiling and bottom of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: Koritsu Machine Industrial Limited
    Inventors: Akira Tsuzuki, Hiroshi Tobitani
  • Patent number: 4227625
    Abstract: A lid for a plastic container, which container is particularly useful for containing paint, includes a sealing flange which engages the inner surface of a rim defining the opening of the container. The sealing flange is held in engagement with the rim by a plurality of locking tabs which are integral with the lid and fit beneath an inwardly projecting lip on the flange. The flange has a generally convex configuration while the rim has a concave configuration so that the lid is prevented from moving axially out of or into the container once it is locked in place by the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Inventor: James L. Underwood
  • Patent number: 4176437
    Abstract: Defective coated workpieces are repaired. To this end a coated plate is placed on to the defective area so as to cover and overlap the defective area. A seal is disposed between the defective area and the plate and the latter is secured by means of bolts or screws extending through the workpiece from the uncoated side and extending into the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Scholz, Lothar Strie, Karl-Heinz Stendenbach
  • Patent number: 4059200
    Abstract: A filler cap is provided comprising a flange having a handgrip, a stem of square shape for engagement in a complimentary square shaped opening in the tank. The stem is comprised of two sections angularly offset relative to each other by 45.degree. and connected by inclined surfaces. Once the first section of the stem is inserted into the tank opening it is sufficient to rotate the cap by 1/8 of a turn in order to lock it in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1977
    Assignee: ITW Fastex Italia, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Michele Aimar
  • Patent number: 4040672
    Abstract: Center cap for the hub of a wheel which is characterized by the provision of elastically deformable joint ratchets at the open end of a cylindrical cap body, the joint ratchets provided with a groove on their outer periphery which receives an annular protruding part of the wheel hub and the joint ratchets having a gradually bevelled surface inclining inwards from the groove on the top of the ratchets and the inside of the cap body is provided with a restrict member to restrict elastic deformation of the ratchets in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Imahashi
  • Patent number: 3955707
    Abstract: A reusable closure for containers having an opening in a surface thereof. A seal of size and shape sufficient to cover the opening in the container and having a bore therethrough is positioned such that the bore generally is aligned with a portion of the opening including opposed edges thereof. A threaded cap has a diameter less than that of the bore, whereby threaded engagement between the cap and opposed edges of the opening is achieved. Tightening the cap holds the seal firmly in place, thereby maintaining a positive closure of the opening. The seal may abut a lip of the container thereby restricting lateral movement of the cap. The seal and the threaded cap may be separate elements or of integral construction. The invention is particularly suited for use in containers having a convenience opening known as pop-top cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1976
    Inventor: William Huffington Mariner