About Line, Region, Or Point Of Weakness Patents (Class 220/258.5)
  • Patent number: 11767166
    Abstract: A container assembly includes a container body having a side wall extending upward from a base to define a mouth. A lid is pivotably secured to the container body and is pivotable between an open position and a closed position over the mouth of the container body. A collar is secured to an upper edge of the side wall of the container body. The collar reinforces the mouth of the container to prevent deformation thereof, such as by bears, and access between the lid and mouth of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Derick Foster, John Matthew Thomson
  • Patent number: 10611515
    Abstract: A resealable beverage can lid has a lid having a top side having a first scored opening and a bottom side, a first rivet formed in the lid and extending outwardly from the top side of the lid, the first rivet having an indentation formed in the bottom side of the lid, the first rivet having a scored first circumference, a tab portion connected to the first rivet, a second rivet connected to the indentation of the first rivet, and a closure element connected to the second rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventor: Steven S Schuver
  • Patent number: 10597192
    Abstract: A resealable beverage can lid has a lid having a top side having a first scored opening and a bottom side, a first rivet formed in the lid and extending outwardly from the top side of the lid, a tab portion connected to the first rivet, a second rivet formed in the lid and extending outwardly from the top side of the lid, the second rivet having an indentation formed in the bottom side of the lid, the second rivet having a second scored opening, and a closure element connected to the indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Steven S. Schuver
  • Patent number: 10518929
    Abstract: A resealable beverage can lid is disclosed having a lid having a top side having a scored opening and a bottom side, a first rivet formed in the lid and extending outwardly from the top side of the lid, the first rivet having an indentation formed in the bottom side of the lid, a tab portion connected to the first rivet, the tab portion being magnetized, a second rivet formed in the lid and extending outwardly from the bottom side of the lid, the second rivet having an indentation formed in the top side of the lid, the second rivet being offset from the first rivet, and a closure element connected to the second rivet, movement of the tab portion capable of moving the closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Steven S Schuver
  • Patent number: 9821935
    Abstract: In a state where an engaging tab and a tab receiver are engaged with each other, the engaging tab is elastically deformed and thus a first end of a second portion applies a force to the tab receiver, the force applied toward a first side of a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshihiko Fujii, Yasuaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 9033193
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved an improved cap (40) for a bottle (1) which comprises a frangible device interface (100) including a valve part (52) and a tethered pull-ring (70), which frangible device interface may be removed from the cap preferably after the contents of the bottle are exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: RECKITT BENCKISER LLC
    Inventors: XiaoYou Dong, ZhiHao Liang, XianZhi Zhou
  • Patent number: 8757421
    Abstract: Disclosed are packages for serving and storing powdered beverages and associated methods. A package for storing a powdered instant beverage comprises a first container, a utensil, and a lid. The lid is configured to engage with the first container so that the lid and the container enclose an interior volume. The lid comprises a lid body, a lid insert configured to be secured to the lid body, and a utensil-holding structure on the lid insert. The lid insert comprises a utensil recess configured to receive at least a portion of the utensil, and a handling recess configured to facilitate the removal and securing of the utensil to the lid. The utensil-holding structure is configured to removably secure the utensil to the lid insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Darlene Yang, Mary Jo Werlein
  • Patent number: 8720726
    Abstract: A one-piece or monolithic body flat plastic lid for carton packages with thin walls and membrane or a web breaking under pressure, with a semicircular skirt provided with rectangular shaped entrance housing and locked to a closing and opening pivoting tab, joined to the border of a pouring orifice by means of a rupture horizontal perimeter membrane and a vertical breaking or tearing by means of pressure exerted in the vertical or transversal direction to the surface of the tab, which is locked by means of a hinge line to a transverse wall making the rectangular channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Jose Rodrigo Oliva Salinas
  • Patent number: 8672165
    Abstract: A container may have a breakaway tab forming an opening to dispense the contents. The container may be used for BB shot. The breakaway tab can have two opposing flat surfaces that extend upward away from the spout, and at least one cutout. The at least one cut out may be aligned with the flat opposing surfaces. The at least one cutout may facilitate easy removal of the tab to form a clean opening that is configured for proper dispensing of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Spherical Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim T. Wei
  • Publication number: 20140041338
    Abstract: Resealable beverage containers include caps that are twisted to impart translational motion of the cap to push a tear panel into the container. Cam elements are used to convert rotational movement to translational movement. The caps are preferably made of molded plastic material, and include cam elements formed on the sidewalls of the caps that engage cam followers or projections formed on the inner cylindrical surface of a socket which is formed in the lid of the beverage container. Methods of manufacturing resealable beverage containers avoid the need to form rivets and to attach pull tabs, thus saving costs and making the beverage containers more easily recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: POWERCAN HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Zabaleta, Sam Hackett
  • Patent number: 8469218
    Abstract: A closure for a package, preferably for a beverage can, the package having a lid, which has at least one off-center outlet area having an predetermined breaking line, and a cover further being provided, which is reversibly movable relative to the lid from a closed position into an open position, and a first contact surface being situated on the outlet area, which cooperates with a counter surface, which is situated on the cover, during movement of the cover, in order to press the outlet area into the package, wherein a further second contact surface, which is situated on the outlet area, is provided, which, spaced apart from the first contact surface, also cooperates with the counter surface during movement of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Xolution GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Bratsch
  • Patent number: 8454567
    Abstract: Multi-conduit connector apparatuses for use in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) apparatuses to wound dressing, and methods for installing multi-conduit connector apparatuses in NPWT apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Alexander Long, Aidan Marcus Tout, Larry Tab Randolph, Christopher Brian Locke
  • Patent number: 8436282
    Abstract: A food package kit including a plurality of trays having a bottom, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a top end, and a flange extending from the sidewall opposite the bottom, the flange includes a rim section configured to receive a sealing film, and a recessed section extending from the rim section, wherein each of the opposed longitudinal edges intersect with a lateral edge at a corner, wherein the kit also includes a sleeve adapted to contain the trays completely therein, the sleeve including a sleeve top, a first depending sleeve side, and a second depending sleeve side and a sleeve bottom, wherein the tray is completely disposed within the sleeve by frictional force between the tray and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Tuszkiewicz, Richard L. Mace
  • Publication number: 20130087563
    Abstract: According to the invention, a beverage can closure element (10) with a cover element (12) is specified for configuring in an opening in a beverage can (30) and a locking mechanism (16) embodied and/or configured on the cover element (12) which is embodied and/or configured in a manner that the beverage can closure element (10) configured in an opening in a beverage can (30) can be locked in an opening of a beverage can (30), with the cover element (12) being embodied and configured so that, if the beverage can closure element (10) is configured in an opening of a beverage can (30), the cover element (12) is elastically deformable between at least two states, whereby the locking mechanism (16) is configured and embodied in such a manner on the cover element (12) that the locking mechanism (16) in at least one state of the cover element (12) of the at least two states of the cover element (12) is configured further inwards in a radial direction relative to the cover element (12) than in at least one other of th
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Wladimir Brandtner
  • Patent number: 8297456
    Abstract: A three piece ingredient dispensing cap attachable a primary container including but not limited to the threaded circular opening of a bottle, said dispensing cap being a storage container or receptacle for sealably containing a liquid and/or dry material and a dispenser for releasing the material when desired into the primary container. The top of the dispensing cap is depressed manually forcing than ingredient storage chamber with like prongs against the bottom of the cap body seal ripping a portion away, dispensing the material. The top includes an opening or nipple valve to allow drinking through the dispensing cap. The present invention allows the use of materials that would discolor, degrade or interact with other substances when added to the contents of the bottle, to remain stable and/or inactive until the time of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Michael R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8113374
    Abstract: A closure for a container includes a base having an aperture therethrough, a membrane attached to the bottom of the base and adapted to be attached to the container to seal the opening, a pull tab positioned within the aperture and connected to the base around at least a portion of an inner periphery of the aperture by a frangible portion, and a cap connected to the base by a hinge. The base is adapted to be connected to the container such that the aperture is positioned over the opening. The pull tab is connected to the membrane, so that when a user pulls on the pull tab, the frangible portion breaks to allow removal of the pull tab to open the aperture, and removal of the pull tab causes the portion of the membrane to tear away to unseal the opening of the container. The cap is pivotable about the hinge between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Steiger, Machelle D. Stockwell
  • Patent number: 8092847
    Abstract: A body (60) of hard candy is formed on a tubular stem (32) that extends from a reservoir/handle (12) in which an edible fluid (72) is contained. The outer end (36) of the tubular passageway (32) is open. A cover (70) is provided. It has an open end (71) which engages a base wall (40) and holds the cover (70) to the base wall (40). The cover (70) includes an end wall (74) which includes a plug (78) which enters into the end (60) of the tubular stem (32) when the cover (70) is installed. When the cover (70) is removed, a consumer may lick the candy (70) and may squeeze the reservoir/handle (12) to express edible fluid (72) out from the reservoir/handle (12), through the passageway (32) and into the consumer's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Pak Nin Chan
  • Patent number: 8066141
    Abstract: A sealed package for pourable food products includes a removable portion and a closable opening device. The opening device has a frame defining a pour opening and fixed to the package about the removable portion, and a cap fitted to the frame to close the pour opening and movable to free the pour opening. A pull-off opening device is housed in the frame and has a rigid plane integral with the removable portion and extractable from the frame, by pulling action, together with part of the removable portion. A pull tab of sheet material is interposed between the removable portion and the plate and attached to both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA
    Inventors: Cristiano Casale, Sara De Simoni
  • Patent number: 8025171
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel paste tin, comprising a dished tin body (1) and a sealing lid (3), fixed to the tin body (1) with two pre-scored lines (6), along which a partial lid section (7) may be removed from the sealing lid (3) by breaking a material connection to generate a precisely defined opening (4, 10, 11) in the sealing lid (3). The invention permits the production of fuel paste tins with may be employed directly as paste burners with a desired burn capacity and burn duration, which are economic to produce and cause little litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Firestar AG
    Inventors: Michele Cassol, Beat A. Knabenhans, Walter Rufener
  • Patent number: 7980243
    Abstract: A cartridge for propellant-free administration of a liquid pharmaceutical composition by inhalation includes: an elongate displacing device including an upper end and a lower end, the lower end for at least partial insertion into a container; a cartridge chamber disposed at the lower end of the displacing device and operable store a pharmaceutical formulation, the cartridge chamber including at least one pierceably sealed opening; and a cannula guide extending from the upper end of the displacing device to the cartridge chamber, wherein insertion of a cannula through the guide pierces the sealed opening and releases the pharmaceutical formulation into a liquid solvent in the container to form the liquid pharmaceutical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Dieter Hochrainer
  • Publication number: 20090173737
    Abstract: A recloseable and resealable beverage can end closure includes a base plate beneath the center panel and a tab plate above the center panel. The closure is slidable relative to the center a panel to uncover the pour aperture and then to position the closure over the pour aperture to enable resealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: CROWN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey, Christopher Althorpe, Michael Unwin, Vincent Manaut, Florian Christian Gregory Combe, Mark Jonathan Prestidge, Iain Charles Edward Stuart, Sylvia Maria Farrow, Alexandre Paris
  • Publication number: 20090078703
    Abstract: The invention concerns a container comprising a container body of a material such as metal, PE or cardboard, having a primary opening which is closed by a metal plate portion acting as a first lid element, wherein the metal plate portion includes a lid tab which is defined by a separation line and which after being broken open opens a discharge opening, and the lid tab has an inclined surface co-operating with a first projection arranged on an opening means movable substantially parallel to the plate portion for applying a force to the lid tab in order to break open the separation line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: BALL PACKAGING EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Hundeloh, Lutz Strube
  • Patent number: 7468498
    Abstract: A food package kit including a plurality of trays having a bottom, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a top end, and a flange extending from the sidewall opposite the bottom, the flange includes a rim section configured to receive a sealing film, and a recessed section extending from the rim section, wherein each of the opposed longitudinal edges intersect with a lateral edge at a corner, wherein the kit also includes a sleeve adapted to contain the trays completely therein, the sleeve including a sleeve top, a first depending sleeve side, and a second depending sleeve side and a sleeve bottom, wherein the tray is completely disposed within the sleeve by frictional force between the tray and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: George A Tuszkiewicz, Richard L Mace
  • Publication number: 20080217336
    Abstract: The metal can (1, 2) is provided with a protecting cover (3) that can be clipped on the top edge of the can (1,2), said protecting cover (3) being connected with the can (1, 2) through a tongue (4) made integral with the cover (3). The can of the invention is characterized in that the cover (3) and the tongue (4) are integrally made of the same metal or metal alloy as the can (1, 2), and that the end of the tongue (4) opposite to the cover (3) is fixed to the can (1, 2). Application to manufacturing protected and reclosable metal cans for sparkling or non sparkling beverages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Benjamin Dawidowicz, Julien Savino, Alain Savino
  • Patent number: 7017769
    Abstract: A lid (30) of plastic material, applied by pressure, having a lateral handle (40), the purpose of the lid being to protect the top of the can (10) for drinks (28) against pollution, includes an opening (23) being made by a tear-off tongue (19), the lid matching substantially with the top of the can. The internal facing of the lid has a protuberance that acts as a stopper (45) and hermetically closes the aperture (28) in the can (10) when opened, thus avoiding accidental spillage of the drink (28) remaining in the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Enrico Talmon
  • Patent number: 6845902
    Abstract: Proposed for a square flat gable composite packing are a resealable spout element (1) and the manufacture of a flat gable composite packing with such a spout element (1) that eliminate the disadvantage of known spout elements, namely that such packings can no longer be opened once the sealed-on opening aids for initially opening the packing lose their non-positive bond with the packing during transport or as the result of inadequate proposed, with a cap (2), in which an opening element (4) sealing. A resealable spout element (1) is attached to the packing interior can be bonded with the cap (2) to form an undetachable unit by means of a connecting element (5) that penetrates an opening surface present in the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: SIG Combibloc Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Bömer, Matthias Dammers, Christoph Mehler, Hans Weiteder
  • Patent number: 6790508
    Abstract: A sheet composed of multiple films for providing peel-off lids for containers comprising a first film set of films, with a film layer of aluminum, an external polythene film and an internal orientated plastic film; a second film set heat-sealed to the edge of a container to be closed, with a pre-perforated polyester film coupled, by an adhesive, to a non-perforated polythene film heat-sealed to the edge of the container; and a hot-extruded polythene layer interposed between the two film sets to couple the last polyester film of the first film set and the first polyester film of the second film set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: BP Europack S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Razeti
  • Patent number: 6745923
    Abstract: An automatically opening pour spout fitment to be applied to a container over location where the container wall has a weakened area. The automatically opening fitment is comprised of a cap which is threadably attached to the fitment and which has a depending cam extending downward from the top wall. The fitment is comprised of a annular sidewall which defines a pouring zone and which provides a boundary for a hinged flap. The flap has an upwardly extending cam follower which is engaged by the cam of the cap such that when the cap is removed from the fitment, the cam initially applies a horizontal force on the cam follower to open the package to which the fitment is attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Sig Combibloc International AG
    Inventor: Randall K. Julian
  • Publication number: 20040094551
    Abstract: There is described a container in combination with a closure. The container has a profile defining an opening and the closure has a profile and overlies the opening so as to provide resealable access to the contents of the container via said opening. At least part of the closure is permanently adhered to the container by means of a sealing medium interposed between the container and the closure part. The profile of the container and the profile of the closure cooperate to define a space for the containment of the sealing medium which does not communicate with the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Gerry Mavin, Stephen Glover, Timothy Graham Stephenson, John Victor Skilton
  • Patent number: 6730339
    Abstract: Liquid candy is molded into a body of hard candy HC with a tubular portion 24 of a holder 22, 24 anchored therein. The tubular portion 22 extends into close proximity to an outer surface of the hardened candy HC. A cup-shaped portion 22 of the holder is snapped onto a reservoir cap 70. The holder 22, 24 is snapped into a fully engaged position. When a consumer wishes to consume the candy product, the consumer pulls up on the holder 22, 24 to move it upwardly relative to the reservoir cap into a second engaged position. A break-away portion 74 of the cap 70 breaks away to open fluid communication between the reservoir 62 and a passageway 36 through the holder 22, 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Candy Novelty Works Ltd.
    Inventor: Pak Nin Chan
  • Publication number: 20040035883
    Abstract: The invention relates to an opening device for packaging containers that comprises at least one base element, which is placed on an opening of the container and which, in particular, completely surrounds the edge area of the opening on the outside and/or inside of the container. The opening device also comprises a covering element, which can be placed on the base element in order to cover the opening of the container. Said covering element has joining means for joining the covering element to the base element once the base element has been placed on the container, and has functional means for performing a predetermined function. The covering element advantageously comprises snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw joining means for joining to the base element and, as a functional means, can comprise, for example, a closure part for reclosing the opening, a protective part for protecting the base element or a safety seal, which is irreversibly changed the first time the packaging container is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Frank Mario Schellenberg, Rodolfo Simon
  • Publication number: 20030209510
    Abstract: A method for sealing a pouring opening of a container and a container with corresponding structure are described. A sealing element formed of a flat laminated material that covers the pouring opening is connected peripherally of said pouring opening, preferably by welding, to a rim portion of the container. Furthermore, the sealing element is connected e.g. by adhesion, to a lid covering the pouring opening of a closure capmounted on the container. The adherence force of the connection between the closure cap and the sealing element is greater than that between the sealing element and the rim portion of the container. In order to break the sealing element away from the rim portion of the container, the lid must be pivoted away. The arrangement consisting of a container and a closure cap is particularly suitable for storing powdery chemical substances, such as are used e.g. in photographic developing equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Bernd Klatte, Peter Huber, Gunnar Kreinfeldt
  • Patent number: 6575324
    Abstract: A carbonated canned beverage sealing device including a cover member having a circular member for positioning over an upper end of a beverage can. The cover member has an O-ring positionable inside the can rolled lip to effect a seal therewith. The circular ring has radial apertures each having rivets slidably disposed therein to abut the can below the rolled lip. A cap portion has a periphery for positioning over the cover member. Radially disposed tab housings extend outwardly and downwardly from the cap periphery in a spaced relationship corresponding with the rivets. Each tab housing has a hollow opening for receiving a rivet whereby the openings are positioned over the rivets. The cap portion-is rotated so that the rivets are pushed inwardly against the can below the can rolled lip to hold and effect a seal between the O-ring and the upper end of the carbonated beverage can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Floyd Hamer
  • Publication number: 20030102313
    Abstract: The invention is a cover for soda and beer cans that attaches to the can using a tab assembly. The cover is provided with a plurality of tabs surrounding the radius of the cover which will mate with the upper lip of beverage cans with a plurality of diameters. The top portion of the cover has an opening that matches the opening of the beverage can. The cover has a pivoting plastic occluder on the top portion of the cover which can be moved from a first position in which it seals the opening of the cover thus sealing the opened beverage can and a second position in which the can is not sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Weber
  • Publication number: 20030071042
    Abstract: A fitment including a spout flange, a spout, a frangible membrane and a gripping member. The spout projects upward from the spout flange and has upper and lower ends and an inner wall. The frangible membrane seals off the spout and has a peripheral edge joined to the inner wall surface along a line of weakness. The gripping member is adapted to facilitate removal of the frangible membrane from the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Brian M. Adams
  • Publication number: 20030010781
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for closing a container provided with a neck (2) by means of a closing device comprising a pourer (3) and a stopper (4), which consists in: when the stopper (4) is fixed on the neck (2) or the pourer (3), pressing (F1) towards the neck (2) an element (36) previously attached to the pourer (3), with interposed between said element (36) and the neck (2), a tight sealed membrane closure (5); and in securing said element (36) to said membrane by sealing. The device comprises an element (36) adapted to be pressed (F1) towards the neck (2) and an membrane closure (5) for closing the neck, designed to be interposed between said element (36) and said neck (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Phillipe Odet
  • Patent number: 6464096
    Abstract: A fitment for use as a pour spout for a paper carton or flexible bag for liquids and powders has a flange which may be welded around a hole in the carton or bag. A spout projecting outward from the flange is provided with a removable membrane integral with the interior of the spout. Preferably the membrane is concave. A horizontally disposed pull ring is attached to the membrane by a connector so that pulling the ring removes the membrane by fracturing the tear line at the juncture of the outer edge of the membrane and the projection. A cap snaps over the spout and may be removed by unscrewing the complementary threads on cap and spout. Optionally, a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the lower edge of the cap skirt engages the exterior of the spout so that the cap cannot be removed without breaking the frangible connection. Various means for detachably securing the fitment to a spud during delivery of the fitment from a chute to the interior of a carton are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Daniel Luch, Rodger A. Moody
  • Patent number: 6460719
    Abstract: A cover for a tab top can having a top with a tab opener includes a body which is shaped and dimensioned to selectively cover the hole which is punched by the tab opener. The body has a channel which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the tab opener. Once the can is opened in the conventional manner, the cover is slidably installed on the tab opener. The cover and tab opener are then rotated until the cover covers the hole in the top of the can, thereby preventing both spilling and the unwanted entry of contamination. As desired, the cover may then be rotated away from the hole to dispense the contents of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Brian E. Finmark
  • Patent number: 6457597
    Abstract: A combination of beverage can cap and straw, including a beverage can cap including a top plate portion and a peripheral rim portion which is to be fitted into a can edge of a beverage can. The beverage can cap being formed with a straw-inserting aperture at a position corresponding to a drinking aperture which is to be opened in a top cover of the beverage can. The beverage can cap being formed with a straw retaining portion on the outer surface of the peripheral rim portion as rising outward in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the top plate portion. The straw retaining portion having a fitting slot capable of retaining a straw fitted thereinto. A straw having a diameter capable of being fitted into the fitting slot formed in the straw-retaining portion. The straw being formed with a bendable accordion-like portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Kyowa Electric and Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kashichi Hirota, Junji Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6450358
    Abstract: A hygienic beverage can attachment is formed as a cap for a metal pop-top beverage can. The cap attachment is formed of a liquid-impervious, elastically resilient material that has a skirt with a radially inwardly directed lip at its outer periphery and with a drinking port defined completely through its structure. The drinking port is spaced radially inwardly from the periphery of the cap attachment for alignment with the drinking opening in the pop-top beverage can. A collar having a radially outwardly directed flange is located on the underside of the cap coaxially about the drinking port. The cap fits onto the beverage can so that the lip of the skirt engages the bead at the top of the beverage can and so that the lower extremity of the collar projects through the drinking aperture in the top of the can. The flange at the lower extremity of the collar engages the underside of the top of the beverage can at the drinking opening therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Carlo Berro
  • Publication number: 20020096521
    Abstract: A pull-top lid for a pressurized tennis ball container having a rubber safety shield for protecting against injury from the sharp pressing seam edge of the removed lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Venanzio Cardarelli
  • Publication number: 20020088802
    Abstract: A protective seal for beverage cans, etc. completely covers and seals the mouth contact area of the can, thereby protecting that area from contamination. The present seal comprises a thin, durable, impervious sheet applied to the top of the can surrounding the opening area, extending down the upper side of the can adjacent the top opening area for a short distance to cover the mouth contact area of the can. The seal is peripherally sealed to the can surface by a narrow strip of food grade adhesive. The tab attachment extension of the seal may include bushings, washers, etc. to provide clearance for the majority of the seal to pivot between the pop tab lever and can top, and/or may include a circumferential weakening line about the pop tab rivet to allow the majority of the seal to shear circumferentially to pivot about the captured rivet attachment portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Mark V. DeRose
  • Publication number: 20020070219
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cover mountable to a beverage container and mounting method and apparatus thereof. The container cover detachably mountable to an upper surface of a beverage container comprises a body which is formed to have substantially a disc-shaped configuration. The body is partly cut away from an edge toward a center thereof thereby to define a beverage discharging opening which has a predetermined width and a predetermined contour, The beverage discharging opening is capable of being selectively communicated with a discharging hole of the beverage container as the body is rotated. An inner end of the beverage discharging opening is delimited by a rotation guiding part which has a predetermined curvature to guide rotation of the body. The body has a straw insertion hole which is defined therein at a predetermined location to have a predetermined diameter in a manner such that a straw can be inserted therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: Conic Korea Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Hoon Song