About Line Or Point Of Weakness Patents (Class 220/266)
  • Patent number: 5348184
    Abstract: A tamper-evident thermoplastic fitment having a spout and a closure for said spout are welded to a polymer-coated paperboard container or to a flexible plastic container. The fitment and closure are initially molded simultaneously but with a substantial space between the two parts interconnected by an elongated runner which conducts molten plastic from the closure to the fitment. Upon retraction of the core of the mold, the closure is pulled into the spout until shoulders on the parts engage, whereupon the closure is stripped from the mold core. The runner comprises a tear tab which slides through an apertured space on the closure. When the parts engage tangs on the tear tab engage the space, making the assembly tamper-evident. The fitment has a flange which may be welded or otherwise secured to the container. The tab may be pulled by the consumer to open the container. The closure may be unscrewed from the spout or otherwise disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Daniel Luch, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: 5348182
    Abstract: A fitment to be attached to an apertured wall of a container or the like is initially formed (as by plastic molding) with a thin cylindrical plastic molding) with a thin cylindrical wall dimensioned to fit inside the aperture in the container. A flange is formed on the exterior of the cylindrical wall to fit against the exterior of the container wall, surrounding the aperture therein. Preferably the flange slants downward-outward. A curling tool is forced against the end of cylindrical wall, curling it outward-upward to fit tightly against the interior of the container wall opposite the flange, thereby crimping the fitment to the container. Curling of the cylindrical wall may be performed either before or after the fitment is installed on the carton. The fitment is formed to be closed by a cap and preferably to engage the cap in a tamper-evident manner. In a preferred form of the invention the cap and fitment are initially molded as a unitary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5348809
    Abstract: A sheet steel easy open can lid made by a resin-laminated sheet steel and not requiring repair coating of the inner and outer surfaces thereof, wherein use is made of a sheet steel laminated with a resin such as polyester and a tear-along groove, having as its main constituent element at the peripheral edge of the opening piece a thin portion having the specified minimum thickness is formed by composite cold-forming. The part or substantially all of this can lid can be easily opened by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yashichi Oyagi, Kiyonori Nakamura, Keiji Taniuchi
  • Patent number: 5328046
    Abstract: A high security tamper evident package for the shipping and storing of a variety of highly proprietary electronic components. The package has a lid and a multi-compartmented base which are threaded together to actively engage an automatic locking system enabled by breakaway tabs on the wall of the base sliding over and engaging behind ramps protruding from the inner surface of the lid. Upon unscrewing the base from the lid, the tabs break off as pressure is applied by movement against the back of the ramps, leaving permanent evidence of the package having been opened. A textured grip on the bottom of the package provides ease of handling and fits snugly onto a raised ring on the top of another package to allow for easy stacking and efficient storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Director of the National Security Agency
    Inventors: Kevin A. Kutz, Steven E. Parto
  • Patent number: 5307948
    Abstract: A tamper-proof and tamper-evident closure system is for use with a plastic container body and lid of the type wherein the container body has an opening defined by a continuous side wall and the lid has a depending skirt terminating at a lower edge, with the skirt overlapping the side wall adjacent the opening when the lid covers the opening. The closure system comprises a shield flange projecting outwardly from the side wall of the container body immediately adjacent the lower edge of the lid when the lid covers the opening of the container body and a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the shield flange along a separation path spaced from the side wall of the container body. The shield flange bars access to a substantial portion of the lower edge and includes a cut-out section providing access to a minor portion of the lower edge of the lid to permit removal of the lid from the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Cardinal Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur H. Blackburn, Imre J. Buza, Terry L. Hartman, Jerry L. Knox, Lee McKinnon, David R. Brown
  • Patent number: 5307947
    Abstract: A container end member having a peripheral wall portion and an integral central wall portion is provided and which has at least one severable tab portion integral with the central wall portion and having a hinge portion having spaced apart ends and wherein a recessed portion is formed between the central end wall portion and the severable tab portion and has an axial thickness less than the axial thickness of the remaining portions of the central end wall portion and the severable tab portion and at least one severable score line groove having a main body portion and integral end portions defining the spaced apart ends of the hinge portion is formed in the recessed portion and at least a portion of the at least one score line groove extends in a transverse direction in the recessed portion. Also, apparatus is provided for controlling the amount of force applied to a container end member during the formation of a score line groove therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Moen, Harold Cook, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5303839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic container with lid, preferably of rectangular or oval cross-section, for holding granular, powdery, pasty or liquid materials, with sealing edge and a locating part which is provided with an intermittent snap-on edge and is borne roughly centrally by a continuous supporting edge. The invention is intended to facilitate the grasping of the lid when the container is closed, on the one hand, and the pouring of liquid or pasty materials on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Jokey Plastik Wipperfurth GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Blumenschein
  • Patent number: 5303850
    Abstract: A tamper indicating closure includes a one-piece cap having a dispensing outlet which is aligned with a dispensing outlet in the neck of a bottle upon rotation of the cap. A removable tamper resistant detent extends downwardly from the top end of the cap and nests with a recess in the upper edge of the neck of the bottle to prevent rotation of the cap. The removable tamper resistant detent is torn free of the cap such that the cap can be rotated to an open position. The closure may also contain a flexible spout which can be folded outwardly by rotation of the cap to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Patrick Connan
  • Patent number: 5303838
    Abstract: A container (e.g., an 8 oz. milk container) formed of paperboard, or the like, is formed with an aperture. A plastic disk is attached to the paperboard over the aperture by thermoplastic welding or other means. The disk has a frangible area which is opened to dispense contents. Typically the frangible area is penetrated by the end of a drinking straw. For aseptic packaging, the paperboard may be lined with a barrier, such as foil. Alternatively foil may be attached to the disk and welded to the paperboard surrounding the aperture or welded to a foil or polyethylene liner for the paperboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Brian M. Adams, Rawson Chenault
  • Patent number: 5299706
    Abstract: An improved lid for a pail of the type in which chain or cordage is typically stored and shipped allows a user access to the chain or cordage within the pail without removing the entire lid and provides a means for retaining the end of the chain or cordage in an easily accessible position for the next user. The lid uses a uniquely shaped area of the lid defined by a perimeter of reduced thickness designed to be easily cut out or punched out with a hammer. The resulting hole allows easy hand access to the chain or cordage and has a notch at one side for hanging the loose end of the chain or cordage on for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Myron H. Wardell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5295518
    Abstract: A two-piece hygienic cap to close the neck opening of an inverted liquid container has a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the container opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion connected thereto. The cap is adapted to cooperate with a feed tube or probe dimensioned for insertion into the recess for separating the plug portion from the sleeve to permit the discharge of liquid from the container. When the tube or probe is withdrawn from the recess, the plug portion is drawn into the sleeve to close the recess and reseal the container. The tearable skirt of the cap includes a line of weakness and a pull tab permitting easy removal of the cap from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Henry E. Baker, John B. Baker, David H. Baker, Peter K. Baker, Edward H. Donselman, Ronald C. Katz
  • Patent number: 5294015
    Abstract: A large easy opening plastic lid, such as for a five gallon paint can, having a peripheral flange with an annular locking ring that engages an annular bead on a container sidewall to retain the lid in sealed engagement with the container. The flange is formed with a plurality of peripherally spaced frangible lines of weakness, which, when broken, segment the peripheral flange into separate flange segments, each having a segment of the locking ring. Following rupture of the flange along the frangible lines of weakness, each of the flange segments is independently pivotable between two positions, a first lowered position in which the respective segments of the locking ring engage with the container bead to securely retain the lid on the container, and a second raised or winged position in which all of the respective segments of the locking ring are disengaged from the container bead to facilitate easy removal and replacement of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Landis Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Richard Landis
  • Patent number: 5284188
    Abstract: A one-piece hygienic cap to close the neck opening of an inverted liquid container has a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the container opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion integrally formed with a frangible connection therebetween. The cap cooperates with a probe dimensioned for insertion into the recess for breaking the frangible connection and separating the plug portion from the sleeve to permit the discharge of liquid from the container. When the probe is withdrawn from the recess, the plug portion is drawn into the sleeve to close the recess and reseal the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Henry E. Baker, John B. Baker, David H. Baker, Peter K. Baker, Edward H. Donselman, Ronald C. Katz
  • Patent number: 5271519
    Abstract: A fitment attached around an aperture in a container has a flange from which extends a spout closed by an initially integrally molded externally threaded plug. So long as the fitment and plug are in their original position after molding, the combination is tamper-evident. The plug is moved axially into the spout, with a liquid-tight fit. The plug has an outward extending tab formed with a slot and the fitment has an upward extending finger aligned with the slot in the tab and formed with tangs which lock the finger and tab together as the plug is moved into the spout, thereby making the device tamper-evident. A characteristic of the invention is that a tether interconnects the plug and the upper edge of the spout to prevent disconnection of the one from the other. As a further feature of the invention, an over-size foil seal extends across the bottom of the flange and is welded or otherwise adhered to the bottom of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Adams, Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 5259417
    Abstract: A device for testing the burst pressure of closure disks which provides high pressure to both sides of a disk and rapidly releases pressure from one side thereof causing a high rate of change of pressure. A hollow notched plug allows the rapid release of pressure upon rupturing. A means is also disclosed for transmitting a tensile load from a piston to a hollow notched plug and for sealing the means for transmitting load within a hole in a piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Charles W. Merten, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5249695
    Abstract: For tent-type paperboard containers as well as other containers, a spout fitment is attached surrounding a hole in the container. The fitment spout has internal threads and an external flange which seals around the hole and is fixed to the container by thermal means, adhesive or the like. The cap has a top disk from which an externally threaded skirt depends. The exterior of the skirt has gripping ribs to assist in screwing and unscrewing the cap. The lower edge of the skirt seals against a sealing membrane on the spout. Surrounding the skirt is a tamper-evident band attached to the lower edges of the ribs by frangible bridges. The tamper-evident band has locking means engaging complementary locking means on the fitment. Thus, the cap cannot be unscrewed without removing the tamper-evident band. By unique design, the fitment and cap may be molded in one mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Brian M. Adams
  • Patent number: 5249694
    Abstract: A tamper evident container having an easily removable tear strip that snugly fits around the rim or skirt of a lid. The tear strip has a break away tab and is joined to the wall of the container by a series of thin rupturable links. The strip snugly holds the lid on the container preventing removal without some evidence of tampering but may be easily stripped away to allow use of the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Highland Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5246132
    Abstract: A blanking cover for the filler neck of a motor vehicle fuel tank has a grip protruding from the blanking cover body so as to ensure that reliable filler neck sealing is maintained in the case of a crash when a collision occurs between the grip and a body part. The grip can be released from the blanking cover body under the action of crash forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Joachim Muth, Dieter Scheurenbrand, Lothar Mauz, Peter Weymann
  • Patent number: 5240133
    Abstract: An article is disclosed comprising a lid engaged to a container by the formation of interlocking waves of lid material and container material at the junction of the lid and container. The interlocking waves are geometrically aligned relative to the interior of the container so as to maximize the burst strength of the container, and also to minimize the force required to peel the lid from the container. An unheated clamp head is used to clamp the lid structure immediately adjacent a heated seal head, the heated seal head being used to form the interlocking wave structure around the inside rim of the container. The clamp head prevents any melted portions of the container or lid from flowing to or towards the outside rim of the container, and thereby prevents the formation of similar interlocking waves about the outside rim of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: James River Paper Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5238134
    Abstract: A tamper-evident container is disclosed that can be reused a limited number of times with the tamper-evident feature for secure storage or transport of material. The container is made up of a base and a lid. The base has a hollow interior for holding material and an open top. The base also has a number of platform-like holders, each with a hole, that project perpendicular to and inwardly from the interior walls of the base. The holders are used in attaching the lid to the base. The lid is the same shape as the base (i.e., multisided, hexagonal, or circular). The lid contains frangible elements which outnumber the holders in the base. Each frangible element is made up of a shaft tipped with a cone. Frangibility of the element is achieved by dividing it into quadrants and scoring the base. Each element extends downward from the interior-top of the lid. A subset of the frangible elements align with the holders in the base. The container is closed when a subset of frangible elements engage with the holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Director of the National Security Agency
    Inventor: Donald L. Knapp
  • Patent number: 5234123
    Abstract: The invention relates to lids of easy-opening cans for perishable foodstuffs, and a method of obtaining them. These lids are composed of a metal foil and a plastics film, the metal foil having a mechanical non-traversing pre-incision corresponding to a tearing line and the thermo-shrinkable plastics film having a continuous depression situated opposite the mechanical pre-incision. The pre-incision and the depression, obtained by the action of heat, makes it possible to avoid the defects known as "feathering" and the plastics film is less expensive and more resistant to corrosion than is conventional lacquer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Pechiney Recherche
    Inventors: Rene Layre, Serge Terroni
  • Patent number: 5228593
    Abstract: A cap and tube assembly comprising a tube having a neck ending in a discharge end having an outwardly extending stem frangibly supported at a point recessed from the outer terminal end of the neck to define an outlet when the stem is removed. A cap sized to slightably fit the neck and including an inwardly facing stem engaging the socket is provided, positively locking the stem in the socket in a predetermined position. The cap is located at a first position where the stem and socket are spaced apart and at a second position defined by the predetermined position of a stem locking device. The stem is frangibly supported on the discharge end by an annular thin wall and a plurality of axially extending bridges for resisting axial movement of the stem and permitting rotational movement to rupture the thin wall to form an outlet for the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: CP Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. O'Meara
  • Patent number: 5224617
    Abstract: A container adapted to securely engage a cover displaying a peripheral depending skirt comprises a body with side walls having an upper edge portion adapted to engage the skirt of the closure. The side walls include a peripheral inverted L-shaped flange. Integrally formed with the flange on two sides of the container is a downward projection including a frangible tab which must be broken to remove the cover from the container; however, the broken tabs do not hinder the reclosure of the container, nor the handling of the container. The side projections are so shaped as to allow similarly constructed containers to be nested one into the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: IPL, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Gaudreault
  • Patent number: 5219087
    Abstract: A tamperproof-protected reclosing device includes a cover frame (3) having a downwardly turned U-shaped groove (14) into which a planar cut upper or lower edge of a container (1) is designed to be pushed and fastened. A cover element (4) is connected to the frame (3) by a hinge and is designed to be pushed into and releasably secured in the interior of the cover frame (3). The cover element (4), when the container is sealed, is pushed into the cover frame (3). The tamperproof-protection is designed as a projecting appendage (8') of the cover frame (3) or the cover element (4), and forms a tear tab (8; 8') attached by a tear weakening (10'). When the reclosing device is not broken, the tear tab locks the cover element and the cover frame against each other. The projecting appendage (8'), when the container is sealed, is folded and sealed in such a way that the o cover element cannot be opened up provided the appendage (6; 8') is not torn off from the cover frame (3) and the cover element (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Akerlund & Rausing Licens AB
    Inventor: Lars Christensson
  • Patent number: 5201153
    Abstract: A panel is provided with a plurality of breakout elements attached to one another, and the panel, by a plurality of tab-like protrusions formed on a non-viewable surface of the panel. The breakout elements are removed by twisting the tabs for the particular element to be removed, leaving any scoring resultant from tab removal on a non-viewed surface of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Tandem Computers Incorporated
    Inventors: Joerg U. Ferchau, Robert E. Smith
  • Patent number: 5195645
    Abstract: An end closure for a container having a substantially planar first lid portion including elements for engaging an upper rim of a container to be closed, a second substantially planar lid portion rotatably mounted to an upper surface of the first lid portion, the second lid portion having an opening defined therethrough, and an openable lid portion defined in the first lid portion. The openable lid portion includes a flexible hinge extending along a first edge thereof and a frangible coupling extending along the remaining edges thereof, whereby when a force is applied to the upper surface of said openable lid portion, the frangible coupling is broken to define a free edge of the openable lid portion and the openable lid can be pivoted about the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Specialty Packaging Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dave Schuermann
  • Patent number: 5183171
    Abstract: A plastic dispensing fitment and a plastic screw-on cap are connected in nested relation by an ultrasonic weld. When the cap is initially screwed onto the neck of a jar, the fitment is forced over the neck with a snap fit. When the cap is first unscrewed, the weld breaks to separate the cap from the fitment and enable removal of the cap from the jar while leaving the fitment attached to the jar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: J. L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Pherigo
  • Patent number: 5174465
    Abstract: A fitment and cap therefor are integrally molded with lugs interconnecting the part. The fitment has a flange to be attached to a container and an internally threaded spout. The cap has an externally threaded skirt. The lugs are diametrically spaced and interconnect the bottom edge of the skirt and upper edge of the spout. After molding, force is applied to break the lugs and snap the skirt inside the spout, the threads slipping past each other and inter-engaging. A temper-evident band extends around the skirt and is connected thereto by frangible bridges. At diametrically spaced locations vertically projecting fingers extend down from the tamper evident band and are received in sockets on the fitment flange shaped so that the band fingers prevent unscrewing the cap without removing the tamper-evident band. A pull tab and thumb tab assist the consumer in removing the tamper evident band so that the cap may be unscrewed from the fitment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Cap Snap Co.
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Brian M. Adams
  • Patent number: 5158197
    Abstract: A tamper evident device for use on a soft drink syrup container (a figal) comprising a one-piece body including a pair of spaced-apart arms with a socket on the distal end of each arm, the socket including internal locking teeth to lock onto a plug of the syrup container. The sockets include fracture zones and must be broken to be removed. A handle portion joins the two arms and includes a large flat upper surface for use in applying a label thereon identifying the syrup in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Simon J. Richter, Rodney D. Borst, Patrick J. Propsom
  • Patent number: 5148935
    Abstract: A cap for substantially gas-tight sealing engagement with a container wall having an opening therein circumscribed by a sealing surface has an end wall and a depending skirt with a portion for securing the cap to a container wall, and a tab for manual engagement to rotate the cap between a container wall sealing surface engaging position and a storage position. The cap has a vent region provided by a weakened zone that is preferably located on or near the tab. The weakened area may include removal of a portion of the cap skirt, thinning a portion of the cap skirt, variations in wall thickness of portions of the cap skirt or top wall in a predetermined manner, configurating the portion of the tab which connects with the cap in such a manner as to facilitate ready circumferential expansion of the cap. Combinations of these weakening features may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Jay W. Lyon
  • Patent number: 5147065
    Abstract: A disposable cup lid has intersecting straw insertion slits and rip-stop end cuts located transversely to and spaced from the ends of the straw insertion slits. In a preferred embodiment, the rip-stop end cuts are stamped lines of weakness or perforations, located perpendicularly to, and between about 1/32 and 1/16 inch beyond, the ends of the straw insertion slits. In another preferred embodiment, the end cuts are portions of the arc of a circle with a diameter slightly larger than the length of the straw insertion slits. The rip-stop end cuts, together with the straw insertion slits, define frangible reinforcing webs connecting wedge-shaped lid portions defined by the straw insertion slits. The webs strengthen the cup during shipment, during mounting on the cup, and during transportation of the filled cup prior to insertion of the straw. The webs are broken by insertion of the straw, resulting in a structure that effectively prevents the force of straw insertion from tearing the top surface of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: James River Corporation of Virginia
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Rush, Robert J. Linnander
  • Patent number: 5135255
    Abstract: A receptacle arrangement for an air bag which protects a vehicle occupant from an impact onto parts of the vehicle interior, has a covering which is fixed to a base plate and covers an air bag container. The covering folds out along a hinge axis of a hinge in the edge region of the air bag container during the unfolding of the air bag, after which it exposes a container aperture for the passage of the bag fabric into an inflated position in front of the vehicle occupant. The covering has, in addition to the first hinge, two further hinges which bound the first hinge on both sides, are approximately perpendicular thereto and have a clearance from the lateral edges of the covering. Thereby, two lateral covering flaps are formed which subdivide the swivellable covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Henseler, Manfred Muller, Egon Katz, Guido Wetzel, Luigi Brambilla
  • Patent number: 5133473
    Abstract: Plastic container closures which are preferably injection molded through a centrally placed ingot are disclosed. The closures include a cover panel with a circumferential rim and a pouring opening which corresponds to only a portion of the area of the cover panel. The closure also includes an integral grip and a tearing denotation provided by a reduced thickness groove in the cover panel around the periphery of the portion of the cover panel which is to be removed and in which that groove extends from a point in the proximity of the circumferential rim towards a point displaced from the center of the cover panel at a location beyond the center with respect to the first point, and in which the reduced thickness groove is interrupted to provide a hinge for the portion of the cover panel to be removed subsequent to opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: AB Akerlund & Rausing
    Inventors: Lars-Erik Piltz, Patrick Duvander
  • Patent number: 5125527
    Abstract: A box for equipment to be built into a wall or the like comprises at least one inlet provisionally closed by a knock-out. The knock-out is delimited by a line of reduced strength. A pull member is fastened to it to facilitate the application of a traction force to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Legrand
    Inventors: Roger Parlatore, Jacques da Rocha, Christian Combas
  • Patent number: 5123561
    Abstract: A container closure includes a body for mounting on the container. The body defines two spaced-apart surfaces and a dispensing orifice between the top surfaces. A flow control device, such as a lid or nozzle assembly, is disposed on the body between the two spaced-apart top surfaces for being moved between positions opening and closing the dispensing orifice. A tamper-indicating member is provided over the lid or nozzle assembly. The member has two spaced-apart outer sections which are each attached to one of the body top surfaces. The member also has a middle section extending across and over the lid or nozzle assembly. The middle section is joined on each side with a frangible web to an outer section to inhibit movement of the lid or nozzle assembly from the closed position. The tamper-indicating member also includes a graspable pull tab on the middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Richard A. Gross
  • Patent number: 5121859
    Abstract: A non-resealable dispenser cap construction having an elongate tapered, stepped hollow spout member with an exterior shoulder intermediate its ends, and a discharge orifice. A closure cap member having a transverse closure wall is mounted on the spout member with the transverse wall engaging and closing over the discharge orifice. With the closure cap member so mounted, the transverse closure wall is distorted and biased by its engagement with the wall of the discharge orifice. One of the members is formed with two oppositely-disposed frangible tabs which overlie and are permanently attached to the other member, and each tab has a zone of weakness which can be readily ruptured upon the application of opposing rotative forces to the members. With the cap member removed the orifice is exposed, permitting discharge of the container contents through the spout member. Re-sealing of the cap member on the spout member is prevented, due to a lack of interengageable parts on the two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Gene Stull
  • Patent number: 5119955
    Abstract: A closure for a beverage can is provided which includes an integral plastic member extending complementarily around the upper end portion of a can, including the side wall and end wall thereof, the member having a plug portion that fits within an opening in the end wall of the can for sealing the same. Scores in the plastic member provide weakened areas resulting in a pull tab by which the plug element is removed from the opening in the can and the closure is removed from the end portion of the can. The plug portion can be reinserted in the opening in the can if less than the entire contents are dispensed. A vent opening also may be provided in the can, sealed by a second plug portion of the can closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: Barry P. Granofsky
  • Patent number: 5115934
    Abstract: A tamper resistant container lid that provides a tear away strip that cannot be easily removed without evidence of tampering. The tear away strip is comprised of a plurality of tabs joined by integral thin film links that are heat contractible. With the lid mounted on a container and the tear strip folded or pressed down beneath the rim of the container heat applied to the strip will contract or collapse the thin film links securing the lid on the container. The thin film .links are a secure method of providing evidence of tampering because the tear strip is nearly impossible to remove without rupturing one or more of these links. A second embodiment of the invention includes a latching mechanism to hold the tear strip in a closed or folded down position beneath the rim of a container while the thin film links are heated to secure the tear strip around the container. A molding apparatus and method is also described for manufacturing parts that require mold undercuts such as the latter tamper resistant lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Highland Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5111954
    Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a container adapted to securely engage a cover displaying a peripheral depending skirt; it comprises a body with side walls having an upper edge portion adapted to engage the skirt of the closure. The side walls include a peripheral inverted L-shaped flange. Integrally formed with the flange is a pair of handles each including a frangible tab which must be broken to remove the cover from the container; however, the broken tabs do not hinder the reclosure of the container, nor the handling of the container. The handles are so shaped as to allow similarly constructed containers to be nested one into the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: IPL Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Gaudreault
  • Patent number: 5108029
    Abstract: A reclosable attachment for containers for permitting the contents of the container to be discharged from the container includes a flange member, a cylindrical extension that extends from one side of the flange member, and a cylindrical stem that extends from the opposite side of the flange member. A cap is connected to the flange member and is adapted to be engaged and disengaged with the cylindrical extension in order to permit or prevent the discharge of the contents from the container. A feature is also provided on the reclosable attachment for preventing someone from unknowingly tampering with the container and for preventing the cap from being accidentally opened. Several spaced apart ledges which extend radially outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the stem can also be provided for maintaining the position of the attachment relative to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Capitol Spouts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Abrams, H. Carl Smith, Thomas Angelini, Richard Arena, John F. Nash, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5103989
    Abstract: According to the invention, a metallic product of a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm is compressed between a narrow elongated relief (2, 3) and an alternating succession of reliefs (10) and hollows (11) disposed opposite this narrow relief (2, 3), the differences in level between the said alternating reliefs (10) and hollows (11) being transverse in respect of the said narrow relief (2, 3), the compression stress being such that the minimum thicknesses of the said metallic product after compression are comprised between 0.01 and 0.15 mm. This method makes it possible to obtain tearing lines which have no injurious rough portions. The invention likewise relates to the products obtained and is particularly interesting in the field of packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Cebal
    Inventors: Guy Druesne, Joel Michaud
  • Patent number: 5094357
    Abstract: A tamper evident seal for a container is provided by a tab which is preferably of a different color from the container. This tab has a portion that will be left on the container sidewall or lid. When only this portion of the tab is on the container sidewall or lid, there is clear evidence of tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    Inventor: James McKinney
  • Patent number: 5090583
    Abstract: A tamper-evident, tamper-resistant closure for an open neck container having a detachable closure cap that is adapted to open and close the dispenser end. A breakaway tether is integrally molded to the closure cap and a first closure ring which fits within the closure cap and around the container neck. A second tether is integrally formed with the closure cap and a second closure ring. The breakaway tether will rupture if this container is tampered with. Also the breakaway tether may be broken when the contents of the container is to be used. The second tether securely maintains the closure cap attached to the main closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Magenta Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Hoffman, John Kinsley, Michael Illenberger
  • Patent number: 5085333
    Abstract: A tamper evident overcap has a tear band which is offset radially from both a ring member sonically welded to a container shoulder and a cap, by generally radially extending frangible bridges. The bridges are severed by applying force to a pull tab extending radially and axially from the tear band in alignment with a gap in the ring member so that there are no undercut faces on the overcap which can consequently be molded in a straight draw mold without cams or slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert V. Dutt, Gary L. Mengeu, Stephen F. Royal
  • Patent number: 5058414
    Abstract: A method of removing electrical box knock-outs which includes utilizing a hand tool which has elongated jaws, one with a ring and the other with a punch directed toward the center of the ring. By positioning the jaws on opposite sides of a box wall and closing the jaws, the punch and ring close on the knock-out and the punch deflects the knock-out through the ring so that the knock-out can then be twisted and removed by needle nose pliers, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Inventor: Fred M. Hayes
  • Patent number: 5058759
    Abstract: A plastic, tamper resistant container particularly adapted for the marketing of dairy products comprising a cup and a lid having a tab extending peripherally therefrom such that application of a force to the tab sufficient to remove the lid, initiates fracture propagation and tearing of the lid, and a process for manufacture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Rodolfo Salmang
  • Patent number: 5052572
    Abstract: The hinged flap of a plastic container closure is molded while in an open position and, during molding of the flap, an elongated tear-away strip is formed along the front edge of the flap and is integrally connected to the flap by tearable webs. After the newly molded flap has first been closed, the strip is anchored releasably to the top panel of the closure and prevents the flap from opening during shipment of the container, the strip also serving as a visual indicator that the seal of the closure is intact. Anchoring of the strip is effected by pins which project upwardly from the panel and which are ultrasonically welded to the lower side of the strip. The closure is opened by lifting and pulling on the strip to break the welds at the pins and thereby enable the strip to be torn completely away from the top panel and the flap and to free the flap for swinging to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: J. L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Pherigo
  • Patent number: 5046646
    Abstract: A non-resealable dispenser cap construction having an elongate tapered, stepped hollow spout member with an exterior shoulder intermediate its ends, and a discharge orifice. A closure cap member having a transverse closure wall is mounted on the spout member with the transverse wall engaging and closing over the discharge orifice. With the closure cap member so mounted, the transverse closure wall is distorted and biased by its engagement with the wall of the discharge orifice. One of the members is formed with two oppositely-disposed frangible tabs which overlie and are permanently attached to the other member, and each tab has a zone of weakness which can be readily ruptured upon the application of opposing rotative forces to the members. With the cap member removed the orifice is exposed, permitting discharge of the container contents through the spout member. Re-sealing of the cap member on the spout member is prevented, due to a lack of interengageable parts on the two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Gene Stull
  • Patent number: 5043536
    Abstract: A knockout structure includes two knockout members supported by bridge members in a D-shaped opening through a wall. The knockout members are supported in the opening recessed behind a front surface of the wall. Each connector type is formed with a flat surface at one side which engages the flat portion of the D-shaped opening in the recess region, thereby restraining which ever type of connector is used against rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Joseph V. DeBartolo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5040695
    Abstract: A molded container includes body and cover portions and a hinge with a central thickened rib and relatively thin segments on either side of the rib. A means for initiating tear can be used to tear open the container along the hinge to provide quick access to the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Dwight V. Adams, Donald S. Aikin