With Gripping Means (e.g., Pull Tab) Patents (Class 220/270)
  • Publication number: 20090134162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) comprising a bottom, a wall (2) and a closing sheet (4) directed from the bottom for closing the container(1), wherein the closing sheet (4) is directly attached to and in contact with the wall (2). The invention also relates to a method for producing a container (1) according to the invention, wherein preferably the closing sheet (4) is first attached to a ring (5), whereafter the ring (5) is arranged to the container (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: IMPRESS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Rene Jouillat, Fred Willem Savrij Droste
  • Publication number: 20090127264
    Abstract: A resealable gift packaging with a concealed compartment accessible through a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is covered by a sealed openable cover. The second opening is selectively sealable by a resealable cover. A gift and message can be placed inside the resealable gift packaging to give the appearance to a person receiving the gift that the gift was purchased in the gift packaging and was not opened or accessed by the person giving the gift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: DESIGNER GLOBAL SOURCES LIMITED
    Inventor: Jun Yang
  • Publication number: 20090101645
    Abstract: A multi-section lid for a can containing edible material includes a lid base, a cover portion, and a tear strip. The lid base can attach the lid to the can. The lid base defines one or more openings that permit access to the edible material. The cover portion includes one or more doors to cover the openings. The tear strip portion is positioned between the lid base and the cover portion. The tear strip portion is connected to the lid base and the cover portion by a plurality of bridges. The mold for forming the lid includes cavities that define flow channels that permit the lid material to flow through bridge cavities to fill the cavities in the mold during formation of the lid such that the lid base, the cover portion, and the tear strip portion are the single integral component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: MCCORMICK & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tracie WILSON, Steve Gift, Tom Coulter, Duane Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20090101648
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) comprising a mouth opening and a membrane lid (5) arranged with an attachment zone (6) on the edge of the mouth opening for closing the container, wherein the membrane lid consists at the attachment zone (6) over its thickness of plastic. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Jelmer Eelke Jongsma, Till-Torsten Isensee
  • Publication number: 20090101674
    Abstract: Tamper-resistance of spice container closures and containers is provided through use of tamper-evident and tamper-resistant elements. A spice container package includes a container, a closure and a tear strip, with the tear strip being joined to the closure by a first hinge, and joined to the container by a second hinge. The container includes a side wall. The closure includes a base and a cover, with the base including at least one dispensing port and the cover including at least one flap removably covering the at least one dispensing port. The first hinge connects the tear strip to the cover of the closure. The closure and the container may be integrally molded together as a single plastic component piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: J.L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Newberry, Joseph P. Valley, III
  • Publication number: 20090095759
    Abstract: A thermal barrier liner is provided to maintain a beverage within a container at a desired temperature. The thermal barrier liner is installed so to make intimate contact with the internal surface of the container. The thermal barrier liner may be provided in various embodiments including a closed cell substrate, a base layer having gas or liquid filled microcapsules, a base layer having microencapsulated solid-liquid phase change material, or combinations thereof. In the closed cell substrate embodiments, when the thermal barrier liner is under pressure within the container such as prior to the container being opened, the thermal barrier liner maintains a minimum profile or thickness. However, when the container is opened and as pressure is released within the container, the barrier liner expands to achieve equilibrium. The expanded or thickened barrier liner provides an effective thermal barrier thereby maintaining the beverage at a desired temperature for a longer period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Jason Morgan Kelly, Herbert Bruce Smith, Andrew Sant, Alexandre Roland Dachs, Christopher Paul Ramsey, Giuseppe Leonardo Quarini
  • Publication number: 20090084789
    Abstract: To enable any one to open a pull-top type can easily by a pullout motion of a pull tab without damaging a fingertip or a nail, a can opening structure is constituted by a pressed portion (13), in which a lid piece is formed in a lid member (11) by a discontinuous approximately loop-shaped notch (12), and a pull tab (20) fixed to the lid member (11), the pull tab (20) is provided with a pressing portion (21) and a finger catch portion (22) and fixed to the lid member (11) by a pin (23) forming a supporting point, a guide portion having a surface inclined downward from the pin (23) toward the pressing portion (21) side is formed in the pressed portion (21), and the finger catch portion (22) is lifted up by bringing the pressing portion (21) into contact with the guide surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Comfort
    Inventor: Kozo Higashimoto
  • Publication number: 20090071961
    Abstract: The neck closure has a wedge-shaped hollow neck with lips formed on the front wedge edge by converging wedge surfaces, the lips being connected to form a one-piece closed lip by a thin section, and having a cover cap that can be placed over the neck. When the cover cap is in place, the front region of the wedge-shaped neck is held in a position that has been rotated through at least 5 DEG in a clockwise direction, viewed from above, in relation to its normal unstressed position, as a result of the inner moulding of the cover cap. When the cover cap is rotated anti-clockwise, from this closed position, force is only applied to the front wedge edge region of the neck by pressure surfaces projecting from the inner face of the cover cap at diametrically opposed points on said front wedge edge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: BELCAP SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventor: Fritz Seelhofer
  • Publication number: 20090039085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage can comprising an embossed body that is made from a sheet of aluminum. The mouth of the can is closed by a flange or seamed with a lid which is equipped with a pull ring for opening the can or, more specifically, for tearing off a frangible lid. According to the invention, the body is substantially flat along the lateral axis and has a very stylish, almost-rectangular plan comprising round edges and vertices, in which the major axis of said rectangular section is slightly arched, such that the longer sides of the body take the form of a concavely curved side and a convexly curved side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Francesc d'Assis Masso I Pares
  • Publication number: 20090032535
    Abstract: A container (1) particularly for food products comprising a metal can body (2) and a combination of a ring (12) and a foil membrane (14), the combination being attached to the can body, in which the ring is made of a plastics material, wherein the inside diameter of the plastic ring is no less than the inside diameter of the can body away from the attachment location of the ring on the can body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: CROWN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Paul Dunwoody, Philip Alan Marriott, Paul Claydon, James Leslie Bullock
  • Publication number: 20090026202
    Abstract: The present invention relates to strip-packaging systems (10) having first (16) and second (17) parts, which comprise respectively a bottom and four substantially rectangular arranged side-walls projecting there from, which in this way define an open cylinder. The two parts (16, 17) are connected to one another at their open ends (16?, 17?) via a separation element (14), wherein the separation element is manually releasable, in order that the two parts may be separated from one another. Therein, at least at the second part, markings (19) are arranged, which show at which point of the first part securing means (13) have to be arranged, by means of which the first part may be secured in an upright manner, in order that the part is made usable after separation from the second part for the provision of the strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Karl Osmann
  • Publication number: 20080290091
    Abstract: A lid arrangement for a container comprises a peripheral portion surrounding an integrally formed central portion. A first scored portion defines a boundary between the central portion and the peripheral portion. A second scored portion is also formed in the central portion. The second scored portion extends substantially parallel to the first scored portion and a strip is formed in the central portion between the first scored portion and the second scored portion. A tab member is connected to the strip of the central portion. The tab member includes a handle that protrudes from the upper surface of the central portion. When a threshold force pulls the handle of the tab member away from the central portion, the strip separates from the peripheral portion along the first scored portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: David A. Shiffer, David O. Allen
  • Patent number: 7438085
    Abstract: A device for prevention of particulate contamination of a valve fitting and for notification of whether actual access or tampering or potential access or tampering of a fluid from a fluid tank connected to the valve and/or the valve has occurred, featuring a fitting block which is insertable within the fitting or capable of receiving the fitting, and first and second straps bendable about the valve and fastenable to each other. One of the straps may include a ring through which a valve burst disk is insertable when the strap is bent about the valve. If the device was compromised and the cylinder was removed for access to the valve fitting, the ring of one of the straps would remain on the burst disk even though the cylinder was removed from the fitting. Thus, the compromised device would remain on the valve indicating that access to the valve or fluid had been attempted or achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: George W. Ratermann
  • Publication number: 20080203092
    Abstract: An easily closable and openable container system includes a number of features which facilitate easy opening and closing while maintaining a high seal. In a first embodiment, the opening forces can be concentrated on one narrow side which includes a lip on one side of a lid flange and with an angled portion on the opposite side of the flange to give ease of opening with less force involved. In a second embodiment where one side is not significantly shorter than a longest side, the lid flange is located at a corner to concentrate the leverage for opening. A continuous flange surrounds a generally planar member and mates with a outwardly projecting rim. The flange includes a pair of surfaces, including an inwardly angled surface which acts to form a stable seal, and actually urges the lid downward as the natural sealing force from the flange is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Leonard R. Stamper, Lily Chen
  • Publication number: 20080197132
    Abstract: An easy open can lid comprises an outer multilayered portion folded into three layers and enclosing the panel portion from outside of the score line, and an inner multilayered portion folded into three layers and enclosing the panel portion from inside of the score line. A leading edge of an outer protection portion as a folding portion between the first and second outer layers is flush with or situated outside of the score line, and a leading edge of an inner protection portion as a folding portion between the second and third inner layers is flush with or situated inside of the score line. An opening width of an inner interspace between the first and second inner layers is wider than that of an outer interspace between the second and third outer layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: DAIEWA CAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Wataru Hasegawa, Yoshihiko Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 7364779
    Abstract: A plastic, easy-opening closure for a retortable container and a method for sealing are provided. The closure includes a plastic membrane having an outer layer of polypropylene, a first tie layer, an intermediate layer formed of EVOH, a second tie layer, an inner layer formed of polypropylene, and a peel-seal layer. The peel-seal layer can be formed of high density polyethylene or polypropylene with a contaminant dispersed therein so that the closure can be easily removed from the container for opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Srinivas Nomula
  • Patent number: 7344041
    Abstract: A container assembly for packaging nonliquid material includes a can body that may be filled with nonliquid material and an end panel that is secured to the can body, preferably by seaming. A score line that is formed in the end panel defines a first removable portion and a second nonremovable portion. Structure such as a tab is provided for initiating separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion at a first location along the score line that defines an axis of symmetry about which separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion during opening will progress substantially symmetrically. The score line is shaped so that the second nonremovable portion defines a spoon leveling shelf that is shaped and sized to permit a consumer to level a spoonful of nonliquid material. Moreover, at least one exposed edge of the spoon leveling shelf is afforded cut protection by a safety fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20080006630
    Abstract: A sanitary cover is provided for a beverage can of the type having a top defined by a ridge with an outwardly extending lip. The cover includes a body portion with an edge and a wall extending downwardly from the edge of the body portion. The wall has a channel with an inwardly directed opening. The cover is adapted to mount on a can with the body portion proximate the can top and the wall received around the can ridge with the can lip received within the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Frank Domenick Messina
  • Patent number: 7311218
    Abstract: There is provided a re-closable closure for a container, wherein the re-closable closure includes a tamper-evident band that provides a stacking surface and stacking step for the stacking of another container and that provides clearance for a membrane lid to seal the opening of the container. The tamper-evident band is connected to a central portion of the closure by a frangible connecting member. The tamper-evident band engages a top edge of the container to connect the closure to the container. After the band has been removed from the central portion and the membrane lid has been removed from the container, the central portion may be connected to the container to re-close the opening of the container. The central portion includes a plug portion that fits into the opening to reseal the container after the initial opening of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Krishnaraju Varadarajan
  • Patent number: 7281636
    Abstract: A bottle cap includes a top and a skirt depending from the top, the skirt having a bottom edge, a locking bead radially extending inward from an interior of the skirt intermediate the top and the bottom edge, a tear tab extending downward from the bottom edge, a first tear line proximate the tear tab and extending upward along the skirt from the bottom edge across the locking bead and terminating at a terminus adjacent to or below the perimeter. The first tear line is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cap. The first tear line and the longitudinal axis define a radially extending plane P. The bottle cap also includes a second tear line proximate the tear tab and spaced from the first tear line. An upper portion of the second tear line extending through the plane P and between the terminus and the longitudinal axis. A method of using the bottle cap is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Sungsuk Steve Kim, Daniel Luch
  • Patent number: 7270246
    Abstract: A non-circular can end for a container having walls which form an opening includes a corner-mounted pull tab opener secured to a severable panel portion by an integral rivet. The corner-mounted opener facilitates easy opening of the can end. A pair of generally parallel bead recesses on either side of the integral rivet stiffen the severable panel portion in order to facilitate bending of the panel aft of the rivet to easily open the can end. The severable panel optionally further includes a mustache-shaped scoreline to reduce the amount of force required to lift the opener. Tooling and a conversion press for converting shells into the non-circular can ends are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Kenneth F. Fultz, Mark R. Mitchell, David A. Stradling, Greg S. Williams
  • Patent number: 7267243
    Abstract: In a container for solid, paste-like and flowable products, particularly for containing food products, comprising a container bottom part for containing the products, a container lid provided at its top with a foil which is removable to facilitate removal of the container lid, is supported on a flange of the container bottom part, which flange has an upwardly projecting portion extending around the container opening to which the container lid is removably connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: ARTA Plast AB
    Inventor: Henning Steg
  • Patent number: 7225944
    Abstract: A container assembly for packaging nonliquid material includes a can body that may be filled with nonliquid material and an end panel that is secured to the can body, preferably by seaming. A score line that is formed in the end panel defines a first removable portion and a second nonremovable portion. Structure such as a tab is provided for initiating separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion at a first location along the score line that defines an axis of symmetry about which separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion during opening will progress substantially symmetrically. The score line is shaped so that the second nonremovable portion defines a spoon leveling shelf that is shaped and sized to permit a consumer to level a spoonful of nonliquid material. Moreover, at least one exposed edge of the spoon leveling shelf is afforded cut protection by a safety fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 7191931
    Abstract: An opening arrangement includes a bottom piece disposed to be positioned on a packaging material and to define a pouring opening; a lid disposed, in a closed state, to seal the pouring opening; and a tamper evidence intended to be broken the first time the opening arrangement is opened and which is connected to a pull tab connected to the lid and to a fastening surface disposed to be connected to the packaging material. The fastening surface is disposed to extend over a fold line along which the packaging material is intended to be folded for forming a package. A package and a method of providing a package with an opening arrangement are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Niels Damkjaer
  • Patent number: 7147122
    Abstract: An easy open end for a container includes an end panel having a score defined therein that defines a removable end panel portion. The score is preferably notched to define a bottom edge having a continuous V-shaped recess. A first double fold is defined adjacent to and positioned radially inward from the score that defines beneath the score a first outwardly projecting extending cut protection bead. A second double fold is defined adjacent to and positioned radially outward from the score that defines beneath the score a second inwardly projecting cut protection bead. The end panel is elastically deformed in an area near the score so as to define a concave depression about the score, which provides enhanced cut protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Heinicke
  • Patent number: 7090088
    Abstract: A combination molded plastic bucket and lid includes a series of outwardly extending ribs on the top edge of the bucket and inwardly extending flanges on a depending outer skirt of the lid which engaged with the bucket ribs to provide a wedging action that holds the lid tightly in a sealing position on the top of the bucket. A zig-zag tear strip permits removal of a portion of the lowermost lid flange. The top of the bucket includes a groove adapted to receive a projection or tongue seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: John W. von Holdt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7086551
    Abstract: A combination molded plastic bucket and lid includes a series of outwardly extending ribs on the top edge of the bucket and inwardly extending flanges on a depending outer skirt of the lid which engage with the bucket ribs to provide a wedging action that holds the lid tightly in a sealing position on the top of the bucket. A zig-zag tear strip permits removal of a portion of the lowermost lid flange. The top of the bucket includes a groove adapted to receive a projection or tongue seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: John W. von Holdt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7080749
    Abstract: An integrally molded all plastic drum closure overcap for application over a primary dispensing closure consisting of a snap-on cap surrounded by a frangibly connected tamper detecting band. The band is joined to a tear strip formed in the cap so as to enable destructive removal of the cap from the closure using the tamper detecting band as a ring pull member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Bert Van Bruggen
  • Patent number: 7055713
    Abstract: A retortable container and an easy-opening closure for hermetic sealing of an open end thereof. The closure includes a metal end ring adapted to be double seamed to an open end of the retortable container, an intermediate area extending radially inward and defining an opening to an interior of the container, and a folded area folded into the interior of the container. The folded area extends radially outward from the opening and substantially parallel to at least an adjacent portion of the intermediate area. A first membrane patch overlaps and is bonded to an under side of the intermediate area of the end ring such that the first membrane patch prevents contamination of contents of the container by the metal end. A second membrane patch covers the opening and is bonded to an upper side of the first membrane patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Rea, Lawrence E. Renck
  • Patent number: 7051896
    Abstract: A opening assembly (10) suitable for use on a can for containing carbonated beverages. The assembly (10) comprises a main part (14) with an oval opening (16). A flange (18) is provided around the underside of the opening (16), with a height inversely proportional to the diameter of the opening (16) at any point. A closure member (20) is provided comprising an upper part (14), cylindrical body part (30) which sliding fits through the opening (16), and an engagement member (34) on its underside. In a closed condition the engagement member (34) engages against the tallest part of the flange (18) to sealingly close the assembly (10). The closure member (20) can be rotated until the engagement member (34) is not engageable with the flange (18), and the member (20) can then be removed from the opening (16) to open the assembly (10). The member (20) can be replaced in the opening (16) and rotated to reclose the assembly (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: William David Steadman
  • Patent number: 7021484
    Abstract: “DEVICE INSERTED INTO THE SEALED LIDS OF METAL PACKAGING FOR LIQUID PRODUCTS”, comprising a fixing system obtained through a process of crimping to the upper edge of the metal package (1), preferably made of tinplate, characterized by an assembly comprising a plastics membrane (2) and a metal ring (3) stamped to form a flat inner cross section (4), which has a central circular opening (5) with an inner edge turned downward and folded inward (6), and an elevation to form a lower seat (7) which is surrounded by a peripheral rim facing downward and slightly inward (8) to enable crimping together with the aforesaid membrane (2); the peripheral edge (9) which is inserted into the seat (7) for crimping onto the edge of the packaging (1), followed internally by an annular recess (10) into which the flat inner cross section (4) of the metal ring (3) with the inner edge turned down and folded inward (6) is inserted, this being followed internally by a perimetral annular reinforcement (11) and with the lower triangular
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Renner Herrmann S/A
    Inventor: Marcos Bier Herrmann
  • Patent number: 6981608
    Abstract: A beverage can with a bottom end, a top end, and a side wall extending therebetween. A first weakening score is formed in the top end, and a second weakening score is formed near the bottom end of the can. The beverage can has a first tab selectively displaceable between an initial position wherein the first tab is generally parallel to the can a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the first weakening score to fail, thereby forming a first opening. A second tab with features similar to the first tab is positioned near the second weakening score. Specifically, the second tab is selectively displaceable between an initial position wherein the second tab is generally parallel to the can, and a displaced position wherein the first end pierces the can by causing the second weakening score to fail, thereby forming a second opening. Beverage may exit the can from either the first or second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: C. Brady Battmer
  • Patent number: 6951293
    Abstract: An end closure for a container providing a tab with increased resistance to rotation upon a rivet is disclosed. The end closure has a central panel wall having a product side, a public side, a rivet, and a displaceable tear panel in the central panel wall at least substantially defined by a frangible score and a non-frangible hinge segment. A tab is attached to the public side of the central panel wall by the rivet. At least a nose portion of the tab extends over a portion of the tear panel. A lift end of the tab is opposite the tab nose. The tab has a central webbing between the nose and the lift end. The central webbing has an anti-rotation member in communication with the public side of the central panel wall. The anti-rotation member provides a spring force against the central panel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventor: Michel Thibaut
  • Patent number: 6889861
    Abstract: A beverage can has a top provided with a slanted top portion and delimited by a rim which is formed with a dip forming a drinking-facilitating groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Arcati, John Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 6854616
    Abstract: A protective cap for a threaded valve stem includes a generally cylindrical portion including a closed end, an open end and a cylindrical wall portion therebetween. A plurality of locating ribs are located on an internal surface of the cylindrical wall portion. A plurality of fingers project radially inward from the internal surface between the locating ribs. A tear strip formed by two frangible members, and a pull tab are formed on an external surface of the cylindrical wall portion. Each finger is located between a pair of the locating ribs and has a flexible portion adjacent the internal surface for locating the fingers in unlocked state and a locked state. The fingers in the unlocked state are inclined toward the open end, and the fingers in the locked state curl toward the closed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Alliance Plastics
    Inventor: Daniel J. Steffan
  • Patent number: 6851568
    Abstract: A lid-seal for a metal container constituted by fixing, through a beading process, on the upper edge of a metal container (1) made of sheet metal, an assembly formed by a plastic membrane (2) and a stamped metal ring (3). The plastic membrane (2) has a peripheral portion (9), followed internally by a recess having therein a ring-like recess (10) and a perimetral ring-like reinforcement (11) and with a lower ring-shaped thin breaking line (12) which breaks when pulled, after the breaking of the short breaking portion (13) of the incorporated pulling ring (14). The stamped metal ring (3) has a flat inner section (4) with a central circular opening (5) with the inner edge beaded inwards (6) and an elevation to form an upper bed (7) and a peripheral edge turned downwards (8) so that, jointly with the peripheral portion (9) of the membrane (2) it can be beaded in the container (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Renner Herrmann S.A.
    Inventor: Thomas Bier Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20040232149
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a tamper evident cap adapted to close an opening on a vessel, the tamper evident cap including a main body having an outer circumference, a pull tab extending from the main body, and a flange forming an annulus around the main body and connected to the main body. The flange includes an outer circumference that is larger than the outer circumference of the main body. It is essential to the present invention that the flange is made of a very thin layer of material. In addition, the flange includes at least a pair of perforation lines. Further, the present invention includes a bump in the pull-tab for enabling a person grasping the pull-tab to obtain a firmer hold thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: James F. Chmela
  • Publication number: 20040226951
    Abstract: An improved pressure-applied lid for cans containing beverages that can be opened by pulling on a tab includes a handle facing upward when not in use for facilitating detachment of the lid. The handle is joined at its base to the rim of the lid. The lid further includes prepared tear-off lines located at the position of the handle that cause breakages in its walls when the handle is pulled to remove the lid, indicating that the lid has been opened for partial consumption of the beverage, even if the lid has then been replaced on the can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Emilio Talmon
  • Patent number: 6817819
    Abstract: The disclosed invention describes a container end that can be easily opened and does not rely on a conventional metal tab, riveted onto the end, thereby avoiding the problems and the cost associated with such a tab. The invention utilizes a traditional container end shell with a separate and distinct piece that is formed independently and is inserted into a countersink which is placed on the outer surface of the container end shell. The removal of this separate piece exerts a force or causes a change in the properties of the container wall in the countersink area, initiating and proliferating a discontinuity in the container wall, thereby creating an opening in the container. This change in the properties of the container wall can be mechanical, chemical, thermal or any other modality, which has the ability to influence the integrity of the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Omnitech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Olson, Harold Cook, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040211780
    Abstract: A can end member has a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, a transition wall, and a curl. The center panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The center panel has a peripheral edge. At least a portion of the peripheral edge includes coined segment. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuck wall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the peripheral edge of the center panel. The transition wall has a folded portion extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy Turner, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Randall G. Forrest
  • Publication number: 20040195239
    Abstract: The present invention is a tear-back, drink-through lid for a beverage container. The lid includes a tear-back portion. A raised protrusion extends from an upper surface of the tear-back portion and has two opposite side walls that each includes a first latching member. A first recess is formed in a top wall of the lid radially inward from the tear-back portion and has two opposing side walls that each includes a second latching member. To retain the tear-back portion of the lid in an open position, the raised protrusion is inserted within the first recess so that the first latching members are pushed past the second latching members to engage the second latching members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Rush, Alois A. Schmidtner, Wayne A. Brown, Trung Tran
  • 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: 6781142
    Abstract: A radiation-shielding container has an elongated cylindrical base and a cylindrical cap that define a cavity. A reduced portion of the cap extends into the base and includes a planar end surface that engages an internal shoulder within the base, and an external shoulder that engages an annular end surface of the base. The cap is secured to the base by rotating the cap such that tabs defined on the reduced portion slide along inwardly sloping lower engagement surfaces of the base until the tabs abut stop surfaces of the base and are secured by upper engagement surfaces. Removal of the cap is accomplished by rotating the cap in the opposite direction to disengage the tabs from the upper engagement surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Vulcan Lead, Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Hutcheson
  • Patent number: 6779675
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cylindrical cartridge (1) made of moulded material for use in a grease dispenser, closed on one side with a cap and the other with a frangible lid (2), characterized in that the lid (2) shaped like a disc (4) enclosed with a skirt (5) extending thereabove, over a constant height h, is secured to the end of the cartridge by a tearaway film (6) linking it to the outer edge (5a) of the skirt (5) which comprises a cut (7) over its length extending on the disc to form a radial cutout (8) whereof the outer edges support two equal vertical flanks (9), arranged facing each other, secured to the sides of the cutout (7) edges and linked at their free edges by a tearaway film (10) providing the lid with tightness, a thread (11) emerging from the flanks (9) to form the pull-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Manufacture Bourguignonne de Plastiques
    Inventor: Pierre Cousseau
  • Patent number: 6772901
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant, tamper-evident composite lid is disclosed for use with containers having a peripheral lip formation around the opening thereof, such as an ice cream container. The closure member comprises integral outer and inner cylindrical ring portions which present at their upper peripheral margin a downwardly stepped annular ledge formation for adhesively receiving a paperboard or other flexible cover panel. The inner ring portion presents a plurality of resiliently deformable teeth extending upwardly and inwardly from its lower peripheral margin configured to lockingly engage with the lip of the container for sealing. The inner ring is circumscribed by a rupturable line of weakness which ruptures upon any attempt to prise off the lid, providing evidence of tampering. The container is legitimately opened by manually tearing away the bottom portion of the inner ring along its line of weakness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Stanpac Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Witt
  • Patent number: 6761280
    Abstract: A sheet metal end shell for conversion into easy opening beer and beverage ends with reduced metal usage while maintaining commercially acceptable buckle resistance. The end shell has an upper chuckwall portion that is disposed at an angle of about 20-35 degrees to vertical, a countersink bead having a width of about 0.020-0.040 inch, and further preferably having a countersink depth of less than about 0.250 inch and a panel depth less than about 0.070 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Harry R. Zonker, Gary L. Myers, Robert E. Dick, Darl G. Boysel, John S. Ward
  • Patent number: 6755315
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage can with a press-in closure (2) whereby a lid area is surrounded by a separating line (3) which can be pressed down into a partial area by means of an actuation tab (4) of a grip lug (7) that is fixed to the lid (5) by means of a riveted joint (6), and forming a hole (8) in the interior of the can for pouring out said beverage. According to the invention, the hole (8) can be covered with a perforated external lid (9) which is also attached to the lid (5) by means of a riveted joint (6). When the grip lug (7) is actuated, the actuation tab (4) of the grip bracket (7) gets inserted into the perforated external cover (9) by means of a groove (10). The invention prevents insects such as wasps or the like from penetrating into the beverage can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Sebastian Frederic Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040112898
    Abstract: A can for carbonated and non-carbonated beverages provided with an opening system comprising a tearable tongue (22) defined by a tearing invitation score line in the outer surface of the upper wall of the can and with a tearing device associated to said tearable tongue and aimed at tearing said tearable tongue and at opening the can, characterised in that said tearing device for the tearable tongue (22) is comprised of two tongues superimposed to one another, a first tongue (30) attached to the outer surface of the upper wall of the can, intended to tear said tearable tongue (22) outwardly of said can, and a second tongue (31), attached to said tearable tongue (22), intended to start tearing of said tearable tongue (22) inwardly of the can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Graziella Fiorentini
  • Publication number: 20040099665
    Abstract: An easy-opening can end and tools for making the same in which the can end is intended for cans of food products or other non-pourable products in which the can end has an improved pull tab attached to a relatively large removable panel portion and in which the tab has a bending fulcrum behind the rivet to facilitate severance of the score around the removable panel. The tab has a C-shaped slot in it around the side of the rivet toward the center of the can end to permit limited bending of the tab along the fulcrum line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Carl F. McEldowney, Mark R. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20040089664
    Abstract: A retortable container and an easy-opening closure for hermetic sealing of an open end thereof. The closure includes a metal end ring adapted to be double seamed to an open end of the retortable container, an intermediate area extending radially inward and defining an opening to an interior of the container, and a folded area folded into the interior of the container. The folded area extends radially outward from the opening and substantially parallel to at least an adjacent portion of the intermediate area. A first membrane patch overlaps and is bonded to an under side of the intermediate area of the end ring such that the first membrane patch prevents contamination of contents of the container by the metal end. A second membrane patch covers the opening and is bonded to an upper side of the first membrane patch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Rea, Lawrence E. Renck