Gripping Means Attached To Or Integral With Member Or Portion (e.g., Pull Tab) Patents (Class 220/269)
  • Patent number: 5647499
    Abstract: A beverage can assembly adapted for use in association with a straw, the apparatus comprises a beverage can having an upper lid, a bend down panel being formed within the upper lid; and a pull tab being pivotally coupled to the upper lid, the pull tab including a straw retainer, in an operative orientation a user lifting the pull tab thereby forcing the bend down panel downward to define an opening in the upper lid, a user then pivoting the pull tab 180 degrees whereby the pull tab covers the opening, a user then positioning a straw through the straw retainer to secure the straw in a fixed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: John Piazza
  • Patent number: 5620550
    Abstract: A packaging material for producing packages includes a foundation layer that is provided with a through hole. A thermoplastic strip covers the through hole and an outer layer completely covers the thermoplastic strip and foundation layer. Various other layers can also be laminated to the foundation layer. When the thermoplastic strip is torn off, the various other layers accompany the thermoplastic strip, thereby exposing the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Ingvar Andersson, Thorbjorn Andersson
  • Patent number: 5617970
    Abstract: A protective cover for a drink opening in a liquid container. The cover has openings large enough to drink through but small enough to prevent insects, such as bees, from entering the liquid container. The cover contains a portion which will fit under the tear tab on a conventional drink container and the tab will secure the cover to the container, but will allow it to be removed when the container is thrown away and, thereby, reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Hae B. Lee
  • Patent number: 5613619
    Abstract: A disposable cup lid is provided for covering the open end of a beverage cup, especially a hot drinks cup for beverages such as coffee. The cup lid is a foldback lid, whereby an opening is formed in the lid by lifting and tearing the material of the cup lid at a designated portion of the rim thereof, then peeling back the drink-through portion of the lid, with the edges of the drink-through portion of the lid being defined by an orientation grain in the lid caused by extrusion of the sheet material from which it is formed. Two additional tab portions are formed into the rim of the lid, one at either side of the position where the grasp tab is located, so as to present forwardly extending tabs which are gently rounded at each edge of the drink-through portion of the lid after it has been formed, and thereby so as to preclude sharp edges at each edge of the drink-through portion being presented to the lips and tongue of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Amhil Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Hugh Van Melle
  • Patent number: 5555993
    Abstract: An opener for facilitating opening of a beverage can and precluding an entrance of debris or insects thereinto. The inventive device includes a beverage can having a lid extending across an upper end thereof. A guarded opening assembly is pivotally mounted to the lid and operates to effect fracturing of a frangible opening in the lid. The guarded opening assembly includes a screen positionable over the opening in the lid to preclude an entrance of insects or debris into the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventors: James T. Borkowski, Milton F. Borkowski
  • Patent number: 5555992
    Abstract: A container end member has a peripheral wall and integral central end wall portion with a stay-on-tab mounted on the central end wall portion for pivotal and rotational movement and a score line groove defined by two spaced apart terminal ends formed in the central end wall portion for defining a severable panel portion that is large enough so that when severed will provide an elongated opening that vents the container to permit pouring of the beverage in the container at faster pour rates than now available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventor: William A. Sedgeley
  • Patent number: 5522521
    Abstract: A pull tab type opening device is formed upon an insert metal strip mounted atop the can's lid. The opening device is affixed to and covers an opening in the can's lid by inter-locking rim portions on the strip and lid. Accordingly, the lid may be formed of a less expensive metal, such as steel, while the metal strip, occupying a small portion of the lid, is formed of the more expensive aluminum. Since the percentage of the dissimilar metal, aluminum, in a can is very small in comparison to steel, a used can may thereby be processed as a single metal, steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Kichinosuke Nagashio
  • Patent number: 5507406
    Abstract: A container and lid combination, typically thermoformed of plastic such as PVC, PS or PET wherein the lid is easily snapped closed onto the container, both initally and resealably, but cannot be removed therefrom without producing visible evidence thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Belford Patrick, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry R. Urciuoli, Robert Urciuoli
  • Patent number: 5503289
    Abstract: A container lid adapted for removable reception over a rim portion of a associated container having a center panel portion and a peripheral skirt portion depending therefrom and having a small pin latch opening extending through the center panel portion and also including an access flap formed by portions of the center panel and the peripheral skirt adapted to provide access to the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Robert M. Fox
  • Patent number: 5498253
    Abstract: An improved adaptor and protector for same which is removably sealing an opening of the adaptor located at an end of a tubular member. The adaptor has a longitudinal passageway for receiving a cannula. An upper end of the adaptor has an interior diameter defining a first end of the passageway for receiving the cannula. A lower end of the adaptor has an interior diameter defining a second end of the passageway adapted for receiving an injection site wherein the diameter of the first end is larger than the diameter at the second end. A middle portion intermediate the first end and the second end has a tapering interior diameter for directing the cannula to the injection site and further having an exterior surface with gripping surfaces. The tapering interior diameter of the middle portion of the adaptor includes guiding members to direct the cannula or other injection devices. The adaptor may also be provided with a protector removably sealing an opening located at an end of the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Aswad, Dale Severs, Joyce Silvestri, Hugh M. Forman, Lecon Woo, Thomas D. Hiller, Lisa S. Walsh, Sandra Wade, Eddie Chan, Patrick Balteau, Franco Peluso, Eric Henaut
  • Patent number: 5497896
    Abstract: A container opener for use with a container top having a depressible closure member. A first member is connected to the container top adjacent the closure member. Movably connected to the first member is a second member which may be moved outwardly from the top of the can by pivoting or sliding such that a portion of the second member extends beyond the edge of the can. A fastener is provided which allows lateral movement of the second member with respect to the first member, but fixes upward movement of the second member with respect to the first member such that the first and second members move together when the second member is lifted, thereby increasing the available leverage for opening the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventor: Ronnie A. Shand
  • Patent number: 5494184
    Abstract: A can top end includes a disc-shaped panel having a disc-shaped flat section an outer periphery to be engaged with an upper end of a can body, and a stay-on type tab attached on the flat section of the panel. The disk-shaped flat section has a primary score to define a primary scored portion surrounded by the primary score and the flat section further includes a secondary score to define a secondary scored portion surrounded by the secondary score. The tab has a connecting portion rotatably connected to a center portion of the flat section around an axis perpendicular to the flat section and the tab has both a pull-up end and a push-down end. The primary scored portion is located below the push-down end of the tab to enable the primary scored portion to be opened by pulling up the pull-up end of the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Kirin Beer Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Noguchi, Jiro Arii, Ichiro Yonezawa, Sadao Nishiyama, Hiroaki Kitagawa, Hiroyuki Murai
  • Patent number: 5456378
    Abstract: An opening tab for a closure wall of a container, such as a beverage container, where the opening tab is to be movable in a plane perpendicular to the surface of the closure wall to affect consistent breaking of a frangible seal and deflecting of a panel formed within the closure wall, creating an access opening permitting dispensing of the contents of the container wherein the opening tab is to be stored other than in the 6 o'clock position and is to be movable sideways along the surface of the closure wall from a storage position to an elevated 6 o'clock frangible seal breaking position. Operating of the opening tab inadvertently in either the storage position or the frangible seal breaking position and any position there between will result in consistent breaking of the frangible seal, deflecting of the panel, and creating the access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventor: Robert A. DeMars
  • Patent number: 5443175
    Abstract: A can closure includes a plastic insert permanently installed in a hole in the can top, and a plug which seats in a pouring aperture extending through the insert. Locking dogs on both the insert and the plug provide a bayonet-type connection so that the container can be resealed after its contents have been partially used. Protrusions on the locking dogs prevent the plug from being fully removed until pressure within the container has been relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Kelly, Mike Price
  • Can
    Patent number: 5415313
    Abstract: A can for containing beverages. The can includes a sanitary beverage guider normally hidden under a can lid and jumping out of the cart lid when opening the can lid by pulling a handle ring along with an opening part of the can lid. The guider guides the beverages when drinking the beverages, thus to prevent the contaminants of the can lid from introduction into the human body and to achieve a desired good sanitary condition. The cutting line along which the opening part is cut off may remain a connection part at inside ends thereof, thus to still partially connect the opening part to the can lid when the can is opened by drawing the opening part. Hence, this can is thrown away under the condition that the opening part is not completely removed from the can body, thus to prevent the opening part from causing an environmental contamination and a wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Hong Sang-Seo
  • Patent number: 5413241
    Abstract: A can end is provided for a tubular easy-open can which includes an upper panel having a rim portion and a central portion. The can end includes a pressing seam portion which is formed on the upper panel and defines an open-ended loop, thereby defining a cap sheet which has an open end integrally formed to the upper panel and a closed end. A tab is mounted on the closed end of the cap sheet, whereby, when the tab is pulled upwardly, the cap sheet is synchronously pulled upwardly with the open end thereof still fixed to the upper panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Hsi-Shou Yeh
  • Patent number: 5411159
    Abstract: An easily openable can includes a foldable tab having an actuating ring attached on the tab and normally flatly sealing a drinking opening formed on a can cover and operatively openable along a score line along a contour of the tab on the cover, a base folding line concave downwardly and pre-formed in a rear base portion of the tab, and an intermediate folding line convex upwardly and preformed on an intermediate portion of the tab, whereby upon pulling of the actuating ring and the tab to open the drinking opening and then upon folding of the tab along the base folding line and the intermediate folding line, the tab can be folded and retained on a rear opening edge without dropping into a can interior for hygienic purpose and also to allow the actuating ring to conceal a sharp edge of the tab severed from the can cover for safety reason.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Kuo-Wei Fan
  • Patent number: 5405039
    Abstract: A can for containing a beverage has a cylindrical body, a top lid for forming an opening through which the beverage can be drunk from the can, a small tab having a finger-receiving hole staked to a central portion of the top lid with a staking member, and a line of weakness defining the opening. This line is in the form of a segment of a circle centered about the staking member. This segment is between an approximately semicircular segment and a 90 degree segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Komura & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Komura
  • Patent number: 5397014
    Abstract: Non-detachable lever lift tabs for opening a beverage container is improved by changing the fulcrum or pivot point to a central position within the area of the lifting tab. This enables the tab to be utilized twice, once in each direction. The tab now offers a 100% increase in potential utility. This "teeter-totter" action allows the operator to open a diametrically opposed hole. This second aperture ventilates and significantly improves the air flow and pour rate of the contained beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Aydt
  • Patent number: 5385254
    Abstract: The top of a metal beverage container, opened with a non-removable fulcrum-type lift tab, is modified, by the inclusion of a shallow channel, in order to facilitate initial lifting of the tab. The channel is positioned directly adjacent the pushing end of the tab and configured such that operative lifting of the tab causes the pushing end of the tab to fit within the channel and into pushing engagement with the container top at the base of the channel. The channel is configured into mirrored conformity with the pushing end of the tab, with the depth of the channel conforming to the shape of the pushing end of the tab to maintain full pushing engagement. The initial engagement of the lift tab with the channel results in a delay in container top opening and substantially less lifting pressure being needed to elevate the tab end for a finger to be more easily inserted for completion of the opening of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Charles N. Hannon
  • Patent number: 5382408
    Abstract: Microcentrifuge tube having a container having a round opening and a frictionally seated lid hingedly connected by a fixed-hinge to the container, the lid having an upper lid surface and being sized and shaped to cover and seal the opening to maintain the inside of the tube free of any contaminant. The lid has a lid extension extending upwardly from the lid surface and outwardly away from the hinge in such a manner which allows the lid to be unseated and moved from the opening of the container when mechanical pressure by a user's finger is applied to the lid. The lid further has a guard portion extending downward from a portion of the lid and configured and arranged adjacent the container to act as a finger guard to prevent a user's finger contacting the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Brandeis University
    Inventor: Daniel Perlman
  • Patent number: 5379914
    Abstract: A filtering device for a beverage container with a tab opening system, which acts as a protector for a drink opening of the beverage container, allowing a user to drink through it. The device is not manually activated, and prevents entry of insects or foreign objects, while at the same time filtering beverages enclosed in the container. This filtering device consists of a concave net filter in the shape of half of an egg, which is placed underneath a shearable tab portion of the tab opening system of the container, and is fastened into place by three rivets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Alvaro F. Martins
  • Patent number: 5375729
    Abstract: The invention, relating to an easy-open metal container end, places a portion of the metal of the tear panel, in the region where a score stop otherwise would be located, under compression by forming a short coined depression or bead in the tear panel, preferably in the public side, close to the score line at least at the end of the vent region opposite from the inner hook, which is located at the radially inward end of the tear panel score line. During initial opening or venting action, as the rivet is lifted by initial tab motion, separation proceeds along the score line, beneath the nose of the tab. The metal adjacent and in this coined depression tends to move partially underneath the metal on the opposite side of the score line from the coined vent bead. This action provides sufficient disruption or retarding of the score line separation or rupture, during venting, to confine such separation to the vent region until internal pressure is vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Dayton Reliable Tool & Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: James R. Schubert
  • Patent number: 5370262
    Abstract: A container for liquid with an auxiliary lid which is capable of preventing a large quantity of bubbles and liquid within the container from spouting out. The auxiliary lid body is provided a distance above an opening-lid which is opened by lifting a tab provided on the lid of the container. Air holes are provided in the auxiliary lid body whereby, upon opening the container, spouting of beer or soda or other liquid contents stops and remains within a space surrounded by the auxiliary lid and container lid. As a result, bubbles and liquid are prevented from dispersing. A protrusion for opening the container also enables the auxiliary lid to be secured without rattling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kato
  • Patent number: 5346087
    Abstract: A beverage can end for connection with a can body having a necked-down top, and wherein the center expansion panel of the end forms a gate which is pushed downwardly into the can to open it. This provides, essentially, an open-top-can wherefrom a beverage may be drunk in the same manner as if it were a glass or a cup. The can end, of drawn metal, includes a triple fold reinforcement ring constituting a chuck panel adjacent to the chuck wall of the peripheral seaming ring of the end. The upper layer of the triple fold connects with the bottom of the chuck wall and the lower layer with the center expansion panel. A score-cut about the underside of the lower layer, with a short uncut portion forming a hinge, permits the center expansion panel to be separated from the triple fold and pushed downwardly to open the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Gerald B. Klein
  • Patent number: 5335808
    Abstract: A pop-top can lid is easier to open than conventional lids, and includes a generally horizontally extending can cover plate having a peripheral rim. It also has a scored area medial of the rim. An elongated generally horizontally extending lift tab is pivotally secured to the upper surface of the plate at a pivot point medial of the rim by a rivet or the like. The tab is divided into an elongated lift arm with finger-receiving opening on one side of the rivet and a shorter drive arm on the opposite side of the rivet. The drive arm is directly over the medial portion of the scored area. A bubble integral with the plate extends upwardly therefrom in the scored area and is capable of being inverted by downward finger pressure. Then the drive arm is able to be easily rotated down thereinto, thus automatically raising the lift arm well above the plate surface so that it can easily be grasped by the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventor: Robert W. Lee
  • Patent number: 5328045
    Abstract: A lid device for a wide-mouthed container comprises a metallic lid body having an inner margin defining an opening of a predetermined shape, a resinous rim member extending along and anchored to the inner margin of the lid body, and a closure film attached to the rim member to close the opening of the lid body. The lid body is fittable to an open mouth of the container. For opening, the closure film may be peeled off the rim member or torn along the rim member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Tenryu Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5320235
    Abstract: A disk-like support member is dimensioned to be attached to a spout end of a thermoplastic tube in snap fit engagement. A tear band is attached to the member periphery by weakened regions. A cap is hinged to the support member to close the spout. The tube has an annular groove. The tear band has a first rib which locks to the annular groove of the tube and a second rib which engages a recess in the cap to lock the cap to the tear band in a closed condition. The locking arrangement is such that the tear band must be removed to remove the support member from the tube or to open the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Joyce Molding Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Joyce
  • Patent number: 5316166
    Abstract: A combined pull tab and token is disclosed in which the token includes a body and the pull tab includes a clinched peripheral curl portion. The pull tab is adapted to be attached to a container wall, and a portion of the token is engaged within the clinched peripheral curl portion of the pull tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: CarnaudMetalbox plc
    Inventors: Andrew P. Pavely, Roy J. Marr, Peter S. Foskett, David M. White
  • 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: 5301827
    Abstract: Plastic closure having a lid with a rim suitable for engagement with a plastic container to close said container and a liner adhered at the underside of the lid. Means are provided in the lid and in the liner for providing a closable opening in both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Pepsico, Inc.
    Inventor: Emery I. Valyi
  • Patent number: 5285919
    Abstract: Drinking access to the contents of a beverage container, having a non-removable opening lift tab, is enhanced by the formation of an air access opening in the container adjacent the beverage access opening. The beverage container top has a first scored section which is opened by the lift tab for access to the contained beverage. The beverage container top further includes a second scored section diametrically opposed to the first scored section which is opened by the same lift tab. The lift tab is swiveled and used to open the second scored section to provide the requisite air access opening, if drinking directly from the container is desired. The lift tab can be rotated to the side of the openings, if desired, to eliminate impedance of direct drinking from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Donald Recchia
  • Patent number: 5248053
    Abstract: An improvement to an easy opening beverage container lever operated opener comprising a novel compound lever, utilizing an inclined plane and a pivoting operating lever, that easily raises primary positioned operating lever lift end to an attitude that allows operator to safely and efficiently engage a finger on operating lever lift end and proceed with opening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: James F. Lundgren
  • Patent number: 5225165
    Abstract: A microcentrifuge tube or other thermoplastic sample container having a round opening and a frictionally seated sealing lid, the lid having a size and shape to cover the perimeter of the tube opening and maintain the inside of the tube free of any contaminant. The lid viewed on an upright closed container has a downwardly extending annular portion shaped to sealing fit inside the opening, the lid further having an integral upwardly projecting lid extension configured and arranged on top of the lid to facilitate aseptic opening, grasping and identification-labeling of the container. The location, angle and size of the lid extension allow mechanical pressure to be used on top of the lid, rather than beneath the lid, to open the container. The improved apparatus and method for opening the container functions to prevent sample contamination which could otherwise occur when a fingernail or other container opening instrument is inserted beneath, and contacts some portion(s) of the underside of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Brandeis University
    Inventor: Daniel Perlman
  • Patent number: 5224618
    Abstract: An improved easy opening tab arrangement for an easy opening container of the kind often referred to as a pop-top container. A container opening tab having a ring at one end and an opposite free end is pivotally mounted between its ends on a container wall having a pair of raised formations, such as inclined ramp formations. The tab is rotatable about a first axis normal to the wall between a storage position in which the tab lies flat against the wall with the tab ring encircling one raised formation and the other raised formation disposed along one longitudinal side of the ring, and a container opening position in which the tab ring seats on the raised formations to space the ring from the wall, and the free tab end overlies an integral frangible seal forming portion of the wall. While in its container opening position, the tab is rotatable about a second axis transverse to both the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the tab to press the tab free end against and thereby rupture the frangible seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Michael J. Garbiso
  • Patent number: 5217133
    Abstract: A container is provided with a top to which is secured at least one strip. The strip or strips can be free of prestress bias or are provided with a prestress bias so that when the top is severed from the container, the strip or strips are lifted away from the top so that the strip can be grasped easily to provide a means for lifting the top away from the container. An indentation is provided in the container wall to prevent a severed container top from sinking into the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Wellesley Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Timson, Paul R. Chalifoux
  • Patent number: 5209366
    Abstract: A container is provided with a top to which is secured at least one strip. The strip or strips are provided with a prestress bias so that when the top is severed from the container, the strip or strips are lifted away from the top and over the container rim so that the strip can be grasped easily to provide a means for lifting the top away from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Wellesley Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Timson
  • Patent number: 5201440
    Abstract: A container closure includes a body for mounting on the container. The body defines a dispensing orifice. A flow control device, such as a lid, is disposed on the body for being moved between positions opening and closing the dispensing orifice. A tamper-indicating member is provided as a unitary extension from the lid. A first frangible web connects the member to the lid. An anchor is connected with a second frangible web to another portion of the tamper-indicating member, and the anchor is retained by the closure body. The tamper-indicating member also includes a graspable pull tab. The tab can be pulled to completely sever the frangible webs connecting the tamper-indicating member to the lid and to the anchor. This permits the lid to be opened while providing evidence of tampering with the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures, a division of Pittway Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Gross
  • Patent number: 5199618
    Abstract: Described is a pouring device of plastic material for fitting to the hole of a flowing medium pack, wherein the pouring device (10) has a portion (20) which is openable by means of a tearing line (25). So that packs of widely different configurations and consisting of a wide range of different materials can be produced in such a way as to be sealed and easily openable, the pouring device (10) has at least a bottom portion (20) and a closure portion (21) which are pivotally movably connected together by way of a hinge (22), wherein the tearing line (25) is disposed in the bottom portion (20).The process for the production of such a pouring device is characterised in that a series of blanks which are arranged in succession in a flat condition and which are in line-wise contact with each other are formed from an endless web of plastic material which can be subjected to deep drawing, and rolled up to form a coil, and the blanks are separated off prior to fitting to the hole in the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Tetra Alfa Holdings S.A.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Reil, Ulrich Deutschbein, Gerd Knobloch, Udo Liebram
  • Patent number: 5197624
    Abstract: A cup lid for use with a beverage cup comprising a peripheral flange to fit over a cup rim and a central portion containing a reclosable access closure flap selectively movable between an open and closed position having a pull tab formed on one end portion thereof and a hinge formed on the opposite end portion thereof and a first retainer element such that when the reclosable access closure flap is moved from the closed position to the open position the reclosable access closure flap engages the first retainer element to releasably retain the reclosable access closure flap in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: M&N Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Dodaro
  • Patent number: 5190149
    Abstract: A tear tab closure for forming an opening in a container end wall, in which the tear tab remains external of the container and captive thereon when it is opened, and further wherein the tear tab is constructed so that there are no recesses for collecting foreign matter. The tear tab is separable from the container end wall along a frangible score line to form the opening, and an actuating tab is attached to the end wall adjacent the tear tab to engage the tear tab and lift it relative to the end wall to fracture the score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Arthur A. Krause
  • Patent number: 5186348
    Abstract: The present invention provides a beverage container lid which can be attached to a beverage container by a skirt extending about the periphery of the lid. In the body of the lid there is defined by a score line a tear tab with a blunt nose portion. The score line extends along opposite lateral sides to a termination site at opposite sides of a hinge situated in an internal area of the lid body. The hinge retains the tear tab as an integral part with the container line while the tab is controlled as to severing from the remaining part of the lid body by the score lines through operation of a pull ring. The pull ring is hinged to the tear tab generally opposite the hinge between the tab and the lid body so that the ring can be used to readily fracture the tear tab about the score line. The ring is used in conjuction with clips for holding and maintaining the tear tab in an opened as well as a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Can Do Associates
    Inventor: Joseph D. Steiner
  • Patent number: 5147057
    Abstract: A single service container having a closure cap with a recessed portion extending generally interiorly of said container. A tab is defined by a score line which, upon deflection of a an actuating member on the cap, substantially separates from the remainder of the recessed portion forming an opening in the cap. Once the tab has been separated, it is deflected through the opening and prevented from obstructing the opening by the actuating member being positioned in an interference relationship between the interior of the container, adjacent the opening, and the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Marshall, Bora Tekkanat, Bryan L. McKinney
  • Patent number: 5145085
    Abstract: A container closure is provided for initially hermetically sealing a container and for thereafter reclosing the container. The closure includes a top wall with a hinged flap portion and a locking segment for engaging and retaining the flap when it is depressed downwardly to reclose the container. A portion of the peripheral edge of the flap is initially defined by a frangible seal. Once the frangible seal has been ruptured, the flap can be pivoted about its hinge to open the container and provide access to its contents. Between uses, the flap is depressed downwardly past a flange which projects from the locking wall. The flange holds the flap closed until a positive opening force is applied to the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: University of Wisconsin
    Inventor: Charles E. Yost
  • Patent number: 5143240
    Abstract: A container is provided with a top to which is secured at least one strip. The strip or strips are provided with a prestress bias so that when the top is severed from the container, the strip or strips are lifted away from the top and over the container rim so that the strip can be grasped easily to provide a means for lifting the top away from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Wellesley Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Timson
  • Patent number: 5131555
    Abstract: A top for a beverage container which includes a handle which is pivotally mounted on the top between a stowage position and a frangible seal breaking position. A camming arrangement is incorporated on the top which functions to locate the handle in a canted position within the frangible seal breaking position so as to facilitate the movement of the handle to frangibly separate a breakaway tab incorporated within the top. The locating of the handle in the canted position can be accomplished by use of a proturberance mounted on the top with the handle to be moved over to ride on the protuberance or can be accomplished by means of a protuberance mounted on the handle which rides within an arcuate slot formed within the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventors: Robert A. DeMars, Spencer L. Mackay
  • Patent number: 5129541
    Abstract: An easy open can end is disclosed having an attached tear strip across a portion of the can end outlined by a score line, and a round-shaped pull tab secured to the can end adjacent the attached tear strip, the pull tab including a nose portion having a clevis formed in an offset location relative to the pull tab's longitudinal centerline, the can end including a pivot ridge member formed in a centered position relative to the logitudinal centerline of the attached pull tab for assisting in maximizing the offset forces applied by the pull tab's nose portion. The offset clevis operates to create reduced opening forces when opening the can end, including a reduced initial "pop" pressure and a reduced "tear" pressure. These reduced forces result by having the offset clevis cause the initial "pop" opening to occur along only one side of the tear strip's score line and then the opening tear occurs sequentially along the remainder of the score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Buhrke Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. W. Voigt, Jeffrey A. Dobrzynski
  • Patent number: 5125528
    Abstract: Closures for containers, such as cans and the like, wherein the closure is comprised of an end panel and a frame member which, preferrably, are attached together during an insert-injection molding operation used for forming the frame member. Depending upon the respective materials, the attachment therebetween may comprise heat-bonding or adhesives, and the like. The various end panels have a displaceable panel portion for providing an opening in the closure to provide access to the product(s) within the container. The various panel portions are defined by weakening lines, perforations or cut lines in the end panel and molded runners for "repairing" and/or sealing weakened or lanced portions of the end panels. The molded runners provide beam strength for protecting against excessive bulging during autoclave or other sterilization processes and against buckling during vacuum processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Polystar Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Heyn, Donald J. Roth
  • 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