Vent In Closure Patents (Class 220/367.1)
  • Publication number: 20030146216
    Abstract: A cap with a way-one valve solves two distinct problems in the field of packaging materials that emit gasses, providing both a means to prevent a package from deforming under pressure built up inside the package, and a means to reseal the package. The cap comprises an inner wall extending downwardly from an inner portion of the top wall to define a cavity. An insert valve is mounted within the cavity, forming a seal with the inside wall. The upper surface of the insert valve, inner wall, and the top wall define a chamber with a gas escape path. A septum is disposed within the chamber, the septum seated on the insert valve and sealing one or more apertures in the insert valve. The septum is capable of at least partially unseating in response to force exerted by increased gas pressure acting through the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Birgitt Torres-White, David E. McKnight, Jon Trollen
  • Publication number: 20030127459
    Abstract: A lid (10) for a saucepan includes a glass or plastics cover (11) having an opening (23) and a disc (14) secured to the cover and extending across the opening. The disc has a steam aperture (17) through which steam from the saucepan can escape. A handle (13) is secured to the cover by attachment to the disc. The arrangement provides increased strength as compared to a glass or plastics lid having a steam release aperture formed directly in it. The disc (14) can be removed from the opening for cleaning purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Sin Ting Au
  • Publication number: 20030116572
    Abstract: A container comprising a cover and a containing portion, the cover adapted to fit adjacent a portion of an inner edge of the containing portion. The cover including a body portion having an opening therein, and a stopper movable between an open position and a closed position, the stopper adapted to close the opening when the stopper is in the closed position, thereby causing an air-tight seal between the cover and the containing portion and allows the cover to be removed from the container when the stopper is in the open position by releasing the air-tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: World Kitchen, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Klock, David A. Vogler, Emmanuel V. Tanghal, Paul Thonis, Jeffrey B. Kell, Timothy K. Virkus
  • Patent number: 6578726
    Abstract: A one piece and/or two piece container lid designed for allowing a beverage aroma to escape from a drink container for the enjoyment of the user of the container. The two piece container lid broadly comprises an upper lid cover and a lower lid cover. The upper lid cover includes an annular upper lid top portion with a downwardly extending skirt disposed around the outer circumference of the top portion. An upper lid drink opening is disposed on one side of the top portion. Next to the upper lid drink opening is an upper recess area formed in part of the top portion. The upper recess area includes a plurality of aroma vent holes therein. The lower lid cover includes an annular lower lid top portion with a raised rim therearound. The rim includes a lower lid drink opening in one side thereon. A downwardly extending exterior flange is disposed around the outer circumference of the rim. The flange includes first and second lip grooves for receiving different diameter containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Debra L. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20030094456
    Abstract: A tank cap having an upper breather chamber, a lower breather chamber and a separator having a communication bore permitting communication between the chambers. An auxiliary separator in the lower breather chamber is connected to the separator and is provided with upper and lower transverse bores extending from an annular chamber section surrounding upper and lower central chamber sections in the lower breather chamber to the upper and lower central chamber sections, respectively. This arrangement provides an effective damping function against liquid entering into the lower breather chamber to inhibit the flowing of the liquid from the lower breather chamber into the upper breather chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Yasunori Matsubara, Yoshikazu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20030075542
    Abstract: A kind of sealing valve for vacuum container comprising: the cap body, the connecting body and the locking portion; the cap body is to be jointed to the locking portion through the connecting body; the locking portion is formed with the concave portion; the locking portion is to lock onto the hole on the upper cap via the concave portion, thus when the vacuum pump proceeds to extract air out of the vacuum container, the cap body is to be deflected and deformed by air flow, so that the air hole of the upper cap is to be opened, and then the cap body is to automatically close the air hole of the upper cap after the pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the vacuum container has reached the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Chang-San Lin
  • Patent number: 6523711
    Abstract: A sports bottle cap having a pressure differential valve is provided which allows water to flow out through the bottle cap only when the bottle is inverted and squeezed or alternatively a straw may be threaded through the pressure differential valve, thereby deactivating it, and attached to the bottle cap allowing the user to draw liquid from the bottle through the straw. In operation the bottle cap of the present invention allows the user to dispense fluid from within the bottle in two different ways. The first manner of use allows liquid to be dispensed only when the bottle containing the liquid is inverted and squeezed. Squeezing causes the pressure to increase on the inside of the bottle thereby causing the pressure differential valve to open and liquid to exit; however, when the bottle is not squeezed the pressure differential valve remains in the closed position sealing bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventors: Douglass E. Hughes, Raymond G. Bryan
  • Patent number: 6513673
    Abstract: A multi-compartment biological specimen cassette. The perforations in one compartment of the cassette may have a different size and/or shape than the perforations in the other compartment or compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Alley
  • Publication number: 20030019869
    Abstract: A containment vessel for a fuel tank comprises two-piece construction with a bottom-top or a left-right side orientation. These parts are rotationally molded with size and shape to receive a fuel oil tank. The two halves have annular flanges which bolt together for sealing the tank within. The top of the containment vessel provides a vented housing for enclosing fill, vent and furnace lines of the fuel oil tank. Heating tape may be provided to prevent freezing. Oil drips from degraded tank seams and from spills are captured within the vessel to prevent environmental damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Gerard A. Levesque
  • Publication number: 20020195450
    Abstract: A plastic cover for a produce container which when laid out is flat. The cover is collapsible and has a plurality of ventilators. Each ventilator has a ventilator flap and a corresponding ventilator aperture. The cover has a plurality of container binding members. Each container binding member has a container flap. Each container flap has a first small flap and a second small flap. Each container flap has a corresponding container receiving aperture. Each container binding member receives a portion of the container to assist in binding the cover to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Roy G. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6491041
    Abstract: A nail care set of nail enamel remover and nail cream and a container kit having a main container body for keeping the nail enamel remover, an auxiliary cap container for keeping the nail cream, and a hollow lid to fit in the auxiliary cap container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Salada Town Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6491177
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thin-plate accommodating/transporting container including a container body for accomodating and supporting a plurality of thin plates while keeping the interior of the container clean, comprising: positioning means, provided at the container body, for accurately adjusting a placement position of the container body; lid receiving portion which is provided in the container body and to which the lid is attached; and engagement means, provided at the lid receiving portion, for engaging with various types of lids of different attachment methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Kakizaki Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Hyobu
  • Patent number: 6488173
    Abstract: A removable beverage container lid wherein the lid has a substantially enclosed space defined between an exterior cover and an interior cover. At least one inlet opening is formed in the interior cover directing a hot beverage to flow into the substantially enclosed space. Attached to the interior cover at the forward edge of the inlet opening is a partition or wall assembly having a height extending to be located substantially against the exterior cover and a length at least equal to the length of the inlet opening. Between the partition or wall assembly and the peripheral edge of the exterior cover is located a gap area. Connected with the gap area is a dispensing opening formed in the exterior cover. Hot beverage is required to flow around the partition or wall assembly and into the gap area prior to flowing through the dispensing opening exteriorly of a beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Milan
  • Publication number: 20020175171
    Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a bowl with a generally planar central portion, a sidewall and a flange. The sidewall defines an annular sealing region with an annular sealing portion, a stop ridge and a laterally extending retaining shelf. A lid is provided with a peripheral portion adapted to be retained by the annular base sealing portion and to be secured by the stop ridge. In one preferred embodiment, the lid is a planar paperboard lid provided with a tab and the annular sealing portion of the base is an undercut groove in its sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Elizabeth Ann Walton Stewart, Rebecca E. Whitmore, Mark B. Littlejohn, Margaret P. Neer, Debra D. Bowers, Jerome G. Dees, Gerald J. Van Handel
  • Patent number: 6471082
    Abstract: A closure for threadable insertion within an opening of a drum and capable of venting the drum when exposed to elevated pressures and temperatures to prevent the build-up of explosive pressures within the drum. A center portion of the closure is molded with thinner dimensions allowing the center to distort as a result of heat and internal pressures. At elevated levels, the center portion ruptures venting internal container pressure. In order to ensure venting at proper levels while maintaining integrity for the transport of materials, the center portion includes a downwardly depending circular flange and a series of lugs on the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Duane Fritzinger
  • Patent number: 6467642
    Abstract: A shipping container with an outer shipping container shell and a support assembly for holding a dewar vessel within the outer shipping container shell and providing impact and vibration resistance to the dewar vessel. The dewar vessel has an inner vessel that holds a specimen chamber and plastic foam between its inner wall and the specimen chamber. The specimen chamber allows liquid cryogen to pass through it into the plastic foam, allows liquid cryogen in a vapor phase liquid state to pass from the plastic foam into it, and acts as a filter to prevent particles or fragments of the plastic foam from entering into it. The specimen chamber is an open-celled porous thermoplastic material that is cryogenically compatible such as an aerated polypropylene foam. The plastic foam is an open cell plastic foam such as a phenolic foam. The plastic foam can hold a normal charge of liquid cryogen in a dry vapor state regardless of the container's spatial orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventors: Patrick L. Mullens, Gregg Emmel, Kevin Giesy, Christy Thomas
  • Patent number: 6457613
    Abstract: A container equipped with a rupturable retaining seal which, when broken, forms a spout from which the contents of the container may be poured. The rupturable seal is secured along its peripheral edge to the top opening of the container and contains a pinpoint hole at its epicenter. Arranged serially about the pinpoint hole in spoke-like fashion, are an impressed pattern of separable incisions which, when pressure is applied, separate and form an opening from which the contents of the container can be poured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Eugene Ennalls Patterson
  • Patent number: 6412637
    Abstract: A plastic food storage container includes a container body having a bottom and a peripheral wall, an upper end of the container body having a peripheral rim; a lid having a peripheral edge adapted to matingly engage the peripheral rim; a region of the lid having a lifting tab extending outwardly from the peripheral edge, and a vent located in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventors: Craig Saunders, Edward S. Robbins, III, Ronald White
  • Publication number: 20020066732
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a food preservative container that is constructed such that when the container stored in a refrigerator is taken out of the refrigerator and is to be opened on a dining table, mere lifting up of a closure member with fingers gripping a finger grip makes it possible to achieve the operation of releasing the reduced pressure state inside the container and the operation of lifting up the closure member in a one-touch fashion. In a closure member attached with a finger grip portion and fitted over the opening of a container body, the finger grip portion includes a finger grip main body having a lower portion formed with an engagement portion that is inserted into a through-hole of the closure member while ensuring air communication through the through-hole, and a cylindrical outer cover portion formed from a flexible material and circumscribing the finger grip main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Takashi Ogino
  • Patent number: 6380524
    Abstract: The microwavable shipping and/or retail package described here for heating food includes a material suitable for use in a microwave oven. The food disposed in the package is preferably at least partially raw. Taking into account the water content of the food, enough liquid is present in the package for the food to be cooked in a steam atmosphere which develops in the package when heated in a microwave oven. The package has a one-way valve in a wall, which opens automatically to the outside when there is an internal excess pressure, then closes again automatically after the pressure drops, thus limiting and/or reducing the vapor pressure that develops in the package during heating in a microwave oven. The valve membrane may automatically open and automatically close until the membrane deforms during heating, thereby causing said valve to remain open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Karl Keller
  • Patent number: 6375033
    Abstract: A vapor directing baffle for a beverage container. The combination of a beverage container and a tight fitting lid in combination with an internal baffle forces aroma laden vapor (located between the interior of the lid and the liquid surface of the beverage in the container) outward through openings in the lid, when the beverage container is tipped from the level position to the drinking position. This vapor pumping action places the outwardly flowing aroma beneath the nose of a user, thereby allowing the user to enjoy the aroma of the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: 6375028
    Abstract: An improved sealing device for a container is provided with a sealing member that varies the sealing capacity of the device in response to pressure changes within the container. The sealing member is further provided with very small vent channels that aid in the sterile air venting of the container. In further embodiments, the sealing device is constructed with a pipette tip wiping mechanism, a tamper evident tethered one piece assembly, filtering capability and the ability to store chemicals, tissue samples etc. in the closure itself for ease of testing and/or evaluations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: James C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6367646
    Abstract: A battery box for holding a single battery includes a one-piece container portion to receive a battery therein and a one-piece, vented lid releasably attached to the container portion through a latching arrangement. The container portion has a base with a raised portion for supporting the battery and at least one depression for receiving battery acid. Four walls extend from the base with opposed side walls including latching components. The lid has at least one extension spaced from an associated wall of the container portion adapted to accommodate battery cables or the like. Each lid vent includes a snap-on vent cover. A pair of handles attached to the container portion is attached to a pair of elongated ribs for distributing forces between the handle and the end wall. A pair of grooves in the base extend between opposed walls and are adapted to receive a strap therein on an exterior of the battery box and form the raised area and adjacent depressions in the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Erie Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Mary M. Hoagland, Paul C. Roche, William Knight Nook
  • Patent number: 6349842
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotatable cover which can be screwed or plugged on and is to be fastened on a stationary connection of a motor vehicle radiator or compensator reservoir of cooling and heating systems. The cover has a screw or plug cap and/or swivel cap and a rotatable engagement part in which a valve in the form of a combined overpressure/underpressure unit is arranged concentrically. The valve has a sealing member which produces a sealing connection with the stationary connection when the cover is applied. When the cover is positioned on the stationary connection, it is possible to prevent by means of a temperature-related control member removal, such as unscrewing or twisting of the cover. The temperature-related control member or a coupling part actuated by means of the temperature-related control member can be moved substantially radially between a coupling position and a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: Heinrich Reutter
  • Patent number: 6346342
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a container with a closed bottom end, an open top end, and side walls extending between the top and bottom ends has a pressure relief mechanism formed in the bottom end, and positive and negative electrodes disposed in the container. The pressure relief mechanism is a stress concentrator formed in the container for providing pressure relief to vent high pressure gases. The stress concentrator includes first and second crossing grooves and third and fourth arcuate grooves to provide for multiple stress concentration points which offers increased reliability of venting, reduced space required for the vent opening, and results in significant reduction of bulging in the closed bottom end of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Huaxin Li
  • Patent number: 6325234
    Abstract: A microwave dish cover for preventing splattering and wasting of food being cooked in a microwave oven. The microwave dish cover includes a cover member having a top wall which includes a centrally-disposed recessed portion and a plurality of holes extending therethrough, the cover member also having a side wall which is slanted outwardly from the top wall to an open bottom; and also includes a lift handle member which is integrally disposed in the recessed portion, and further includes a pair of side handle members which are integrally and oppositely attached to the exterior of the side wall. The dish cover is adapted to cover completely over any type of dish including a plate, a bowl, and a glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher P. Legaspi
  • Patent number: 6318584
    Abstract: A removable beverage container lid for a beverage container to cover the mouth of the beverage container wherein the lid has a substantially enclosed space defined between an exterior cover and an interior cover. An inlet opening is formed with the interior cover through which a hot beverage is to flow into the substantially enclosed space. Attached to the interior cover at the forward edge of the inlet opening is a partition with the height of the partition extending to be located substantially against the exterior cover. The length of the partition is at least equal to the length of the inlet opening. Between the partition and the peripheral edge of the exterior cover is located a gap area. Connected with the gap area is a dispensing opening formed within the exterior cover. Hot beverage is required to flow around the partition and into the gap area prior to flowing through the dispensing opening exteriorly of the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Milan
  • Patent number: 6311863
    Abstract: A covered beverage container with an internal baffle which forces aroma laden vapor between the lid and the beverage in the container out openings in the lid when the container is tipped from the level position to the drinking position, thereby allowing the user to more fully enjoy the aroma of the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: 6305546
    Abstract: A plastic food storage container includes a container body having a bottom and a peripheral wall, an upper end of the container body having a peripheral rim; a lid having a peripheral edge adapted to matingly engage the peripheral rim; a region of the lid having a lifting tab extending outwardly from the peripheral edge, and a vent located in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventors: Craig Saunders, Edward S. Robbins, III, Ronald White
  • Patent number: 6273288
    Abstract: A removable cover for a food pan which seats on upright side walls of the food pan and has an opening with a hinged lid mounted interiorly of the periphery of the cover for access to the pan. A peripheral flange on the cover seats over and downwardly on the edge of the pan with the cover having an upwardly extending flange surrounding at least in part the opening of the cover. A downwardly extending flange surrounds at least in part the periphery of the hinged lid for seating over the flange cover. A hinge stop on the cover stops the hinged lid when opened. A notch in the hinged lid provides placement of a serving utensil therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Cambro Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles W. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 6255101
    Abstract: The invention concerns a seal for closing the neck of a flask. The seal comprises a stopper with a central coaxial channel for passage of an injection and/or sampling needle, this channel being sealed by at least one ball with a diameter slightly greater than that of the channel. This seal is suitable for a reagent flask used by a blood analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Diagnostica Stago
    Inventors: Alain Rousseau, Jean-François Gelin
  • Patent number: 6241091
    Abstract: A decorative container is adapted for receiving and storing a plumbing plunger in a generally upright position. The decorative container includes a base which has a bottom wall and a sidewall. The sidewall extends upwardly from the bottom wall by a predetermined distance and extends around a perimeter of the bottom wall. The sidewall has a supporting lip which extends around a perimeter of the sidewall. A first part of the sidewall of the base proximate to the supporting lip has a first slot extending through the sidewall. The supporting lip extends over the first slot and at least partially conceals the first slot from being externally viewed. The container also includes a cover which has a lower end and a sidewall and which is releasably positioned on the supporting lip. The lower end of the cover member surrounds the sidewall of the base. A plumbing plunger is removably stored within the decorative container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory Moore, Peter Bressler, Zoey Juhng, John Coleman
  • Patent number: 6202870
    Abstract: A bottle cap is provided that allows for venting of gases generated in a bottle. A single or multiple ridges are formed on the inner surface of the cap top such that the ridges sit on the bottle mouth rim when the cap is threaded onto the bottle. A single or multiple slots may be formed across each of the ridges. Alternatively, a single or multiple grooves may be formed on the inner surface of the cap top. The ridge(s) or groove(s) may also be formed on a disc fitted over the inner surface of the cap top. When the cap is threaded on to the bottle, gases generated in the bottle can escape through the slot(s) formed across the ridge(s) or through the groove(s) formed on the inner surface of the cap top. A liner having an opening formed through its thickness may be placed in the cap. The liner opening allows the passage of gases from the bottle to the slot(s) or groove(s) formed on the cap top or disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Woodrow W. Pearce
  • Patent number: 6199297
    Abstract: Disclosed are bulk lyophilization containers including aseptic closure portions or heat flux equalization portions that promote improved bulk lyophilization. Also disclosed are methods of using the bulk lyophilization containers and improved lyophilization stoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Integrated Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Wisniewski
  • Patent number: RE37776
    Abstract: A filler neck closure assembly for a vehicle fuel tank filler neck, comprising: a housing configured to be mounted in the filler neck and formed to include a sealing surface and a pressure-relief valve positioned to lie in the housing and provided with a nozzle-receiving portion and a sealing portion, wherein the nozzle-receiving portion is formed to include a nozzle-receiving opening sized to receive a pump nozzle during refueling of the fuel tank and the sealing portion is movable with the nozzle portion and relative to the housing between a closure-sealing position sealingly engaging the sealing surface and a pressure-relief position away from the sealing surface to define an opening to vent fuel vapor from the fuel tank when tank pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Dean C. Foltz