Tethered Closure Patents (Class 220/375)
  • Patent number: 6601744
    Abstract: A sanitary glove container assembly and a method for its use that permits the storage of sanitary gloves. The assembly comprises two rounded, hollow members with threaded openings, and the members are joined by a securing mechanism. The area of the openings is smaller than the cross sectional area of the hollow members such that gloves will not fall out inadvertently. The user may individually encapsulate one glove in each hollow member in a manner in order to allow for easy access to the gloves, allow for easy loading of the device, prevent tangling of the gloves, and ensure cleanliness of the glove before use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Armin Altemus
  • Publication number: 20030141302
    Abstract: A seal for use with a drink-through beverage lid, comprising a generally flat plate and a projection. When attached to a lid, the projection mates with an opening in the drink-through lid, commonly at the top of a drinking spout. The projection seals the opening, preventing spillage during transport. The seal is easily removable by grasping the plate and pulling it away from the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Kyle A. Ryan, Suzanne L. Charnos
  • Patent number: 6575333
    Abstract: A method for removing a child-resistant spout closure cap from a spout on a container and a child-resistant spout closure for a container configured to hold either a liquid or a solid material, with the container including a fill opening to the interior of the container and an elongated hollow spout having a distal end and a proximate end, with the proximate end configured to align with the fill opening of the container. The child-resistant spout closure comprises a lip formed on the distal end of the spout defining a spout opening in fluid communication with the interior of the spout, with the lip having a closure recess extending through the lip to a spout wall; and, a cap configured to fill the spout opening. The cap has a lock nub configured to engage the lip and seal the spout opening and selectively pass through the closure recess when the lock nub and the closure recess are aligned. When the lock nub and the closure recess are aligned, the cap is removable from the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Western Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald K. Raboin
  • Publication number: 20030089714
    Abstract: The invention is a recloseable lid for a drinking cup comprising a cap with a dispensing aperture through which liquid can pass. A plug is movably mounted to the cap and is sized to seal the dispensing aperture when a portion of the plug is inserted into the dispensing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Robert C. Dart, Ryan P. Gingras, Todd Atkins
  • Patent number: 6543833
    Abstract: In a cap device, a long, flexible coupling member is coupled at one end to a cap for opening and closing an inlet, and it is slidably mounted at the other end to a guide member located near the inlet. A rotary ring is rotatably mounted around the cap, and the coupling member is coupled to a part of the rotary ring at one end thereof. Slanted blocks for removing foreign materials are provided on a portion of the rotary ring which slides with respect to the circumferential outer surface of the cap. A slide support member formed another end of the coupling member is guided by a guide member disposed on the back side of the oil filler lid. The guide member guides the slide support member in such a direction that the slide support member slides apart from a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hagano, Masayuki Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20030057127
    Abstract: Case comprising a base, a lid and a tongue connecting the lid to the base. The lid is movable between a closed position in which a reservoir arranged in the base is substantially isolated from the outside and an open position in which the lid is folded down under the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Claude Lambert
  • Patent number: 6536621
    Abstract: Adjacent a side wall of a casing, a strap supporting post 49a is formed integrally with and extends form the inner surface of the top panel 41a of the upper casing half 41. The strap supporting post 49a has a screw bore 51 extending from the end face of the projecting end thereof and therethrough deep into the top panel 41a. A reentrant cavity 56 is formed in one side wall of the casing such that the post 49a is positioned generally in the center of the cavity. A metal-made screw 54 is passed through a through-bore in the lower casing half 42 and threaded into the screw bore to fasten the upper casing half 41 and the lower casing half 42 together. A strap is hooked on the post 49a by being inserted into the cavity from one side of the post 49a to wrap around the post and then being pulled out of the cavity from the opposite side of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventor: Syuuya Yokobori
  • Publication number: 20030029869
    Abstract: A tank cap has outstanding operability when the fuel cap opens and closes a tank opening of a fuel tank. The tank cap is provided with a casing main body, a cover body provided with an handle and a torque mechanism. The torque mechanism transmits rotational torque to the casing main body when rotational torque is applied to the handle. A torque release mechanism is also disposed between the handle and a torque plate of the torque mechanism. A torque release mechanism is provided with a steel ball (interposing member) which is in a non-interposed state between the handle and the casing main body when affected by a predetermined or greater inertial force accompanying an external force and the steel ball sets the handle in an idle state when the torque release mechanism is in a non-interposed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagano
  • Publication number: 20030024931
    Abstract: A fuel cap assembly for use with a fuel filler neck of a fuel tank is provided that includes a housing for removably securing and sealing the fuel cap assembly to the filler neck of the fuel tank, an exterior cover mounted to the housing, the housing being provided with a flange extending downwardly from the upper surface of the cover, and a retainer ring being rotatably coupled to an inner periphery of the flange of the exterior cover, a tether being connected to the retainer ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Yeon-Noh Bae
  • Lid
    Publication number: 20020170912
    Abstract: A lid, suitable for “take-away” hot and cold beverage containers, which reduces spillage of the container contents and allows the user to store the container contents for consumption at a later date. The lid comprises a main body portion, incorporating an aperture for discharging the container contents, and a flexible arm portion, connected to the body portion and having a closure member positioned thereon. When a user requires to store the contents of the container for consumption at a later date, the flexible arm portion can be bent over the top of the main body portion and the closure member engaged in the aperture so as to seal it. The main body portion may also include a recess, suitably shaped to receive the closure member, wherein, when the user requires to discharge the container contents through the aperture, the closure member can be engaged in the recess such that the arm portion does not interfere with the discharge of the container contents through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Brian Norman Clarke
  • Publication number: 20020170911
    Abstract: An integral assembly of a multiplicity of spaced reagent tubes arranged in an aligned series wherein the tubes are integrally linked to one another by connecting portions and to a corresponding multiplicity of independently spaced seal caps by a multiplicity of bands, each band having one end integral with a seal cap and an opposite end integrally connected to two adjacent tubes. The bands extend perpendicularly to the series of aligned tubes and include an oblique hinge portion which is deformable so as to allow the cap to be independently manipulatable to pivot angularly and to superimpose the open end of a tube for sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Andre Lafond, Yanick Bertin
  • Patent number: 6478180
    Abstract: An integral cap assembly for a portable liquid container that has a reversible spout, includes a cap portion with an opening and a pair of grooves formed at opposite sides of the opening. A closure cap is coupled to a first flexible member, where the cap portion is coupled to a second flexible member. The first and second flexible members are each coupled to a remaining flexible member. The closure cap can be fitted either above the opening or below the opening of the cap portion, to thereby provide an integral cap assembly with no separate parts when the reversible spout is in either the closed, non-pour position, or the open, pour, position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: William F. Dehn, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20020104847
    Abstract: There is disclosed a container (10) including a receptacle (12) having an opening (18) and a lid (11) for closing the opening. The container further includes a link (13) which permanently attaches the lid to the receptacle. The link is configured to enable the lid to move between a position in which the lid seals the opening and a position in which the lid is underneath the receptacle and engaged with a ridge (19) extending about the periphery of the base (15) of the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Christian Meyer, Margaret Meyer
  • Patent number: 6415939
    Abstract: An aperture forming structure for a sealed containment and dispensing package for flowable products is provided. The structure includes a breakaway tip member of thermoformable plastic. In one embodiment a cap may be integrally formed with the aperture forming structure and may be used to protect the tip member or for reclosing the aperture. An alternative embodiment relates to a pouch, wherein a flap member portion of the pouch is folded over and sealingly attached to the body of the pouch. When the flap member portion is pulled away from the body, an outlet aperture is produced through the surface of the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Patent number: 6390007
    Abstract: A drain plug system for a boat which has a sleeve in the drain opening and an expandable drain plug to be disposed in the sleeve. A retainer is connected to the drain plug. The retainer is disposed within the sleeve and has ends which engage the inner side of the sleeve when the drain plug is contracted so that the drain plug is prevented from being lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Walk-Winn Plastic Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Walker
  • 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: 6364101
    Abstract: A dispenser of moist wipes, towelettes, or liquid impregnated fibrous tissues, comprising a container, a lid having an orifice therein for withdrawal of the wipes, and a cap over the orifice to prevent evaporation of liquid from the container. The wipes may be placed in the container in roll form, and withdrawn sequentially and individually by pulling through the orifice and tearing apart at perforations between the wipes. The lid is removably attached by a snap fit to the container, and the lower edge of the lid is protected by an outwardly extending circumferential protrusion on the vertical side of the container adjacent the lower edge of the lid, so as to inhibit accidental removal of the lid. An opening is provided in the protrusion to permit removal of the lid as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Marissa A. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20020014467
    Abstract: A bottle closure assembly for providing access to the fluids within a bottle without the complete removal of the closure. The bottle closure apparatus comprising a cap and a sleeve connected by a hinge. Both the cap and the sleeve containing internal threads for twisting the closure apparatus onto a threaded bottle opening. The closure sealing the container when fully threaded on to the threaded opening, while providing access to the fluid therein when only partially threaded (sleeve only) by allowing the cap to pivot about the hinge. In addition, position nubs may be provided along the threads to resistively indicate when the cap is pivotable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Bryan L. Reidenbach
  • Publication number: 20020000441
    Abstract: An aperture forming structure, which when attached to or integrally formed in dispenser packages for flowable substances allows reclosure and single or multiple uses. The aperture forming structure includes a break away tip member of thermoformable plastic. The break away tip includes a hollow protrusion from a surface. The intersection of the hollow protrusion and the surface is a fault line. Rupturing of the fault line creates an aperture from which the contents of the dispenser package may exit. A cap may be integrally formed with the aperture forming structure and detached for protecting the hollow protrusion or for closing the aperture created when the fault line is ruptured. The aperture forming structure can be made by heating a relatively stiff substantially flat thermoformable sheet of and then stretching the sheet to create a first and a second hollow protrusion in a tiered configuration. A rupture line is placed at the intersection of the first and the second protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Patent number: 6332553
    Abstract: An annular groove is formed in a cap body of a cap. An elongated coupling member has a ring part formed integrally therewith, and is coupled to the cap as the ring part is engaged in the annular groove. The cap and the coupling member are each formed of electroconductive resin, and the surface resistance from the cap to the vehicle is set to be greater than or equal to 1×1012 &OHgr; and less than 5.30×1012 &OHgr;. Hence, when the human body is brought into contact with the cap, static electricity in the human body is discharged to the vehicle side, and no shock is imparted to the human body. In addition, the amount of residual charge also declines without causing secondary spark discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Calsonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Yamada, Shinji Araki
  • Patent number: 6299012
    Abstract: An aperture forming structure, which when attached to or integrally formed in dispenser packages for flowable substances allows reclosure and single or multiple uses. The aperture forming structure includes a break away tip member of thermoformable plastic. The break away tip includes a hollow protrusion from a surface. The intersection of the hollow protrusion and the surface is a fault line. Rupturing of the fault line creates an aperture from which the contents of the dispenser package may exit. A cap may be integrally formed with the aperture forming structure and detached for protecting the hollow protrusion or for closing the aperture created when the fault line is ruptured. The aperture forming structure can be made by heating a relatively stiff substantially flat thermoformable sheet of and then stretching the sheet to create a first and a second hollow protrusion in a tiered configuration. A rupture line is placed at the intersection of the first and the second protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Patent number: 6264051
    Abstract: A bottle closure assembly for providing access to the fluids within a bottle without the complete removal of the closure. The bottle closure apparatus comprising a cap and a sleeve connected by a hinge. Both the cap and the sleeve containing internal threads for twisting the closure apparatus onto a threaded bottle opening. The closure sealing the container when fully threaded on to the threaded opening, while providing access to the fluid therein when only partially threaded (sleeve only) by allowing the cap to pivot about the hinge. In addition, position nubs may be provided along the threads to resistively indicate when the cap is pivotable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Bryan L. Reidenbach
  • Patent number: 6237798
    Abstract: A fuel filler cap for preventing loss thereof when fuel is filled into a fuel tank of a vehicle, the cap having a threaded stopper for being inserted at a tip end of a pouring pipe for tight sealing, a handle unit provided for rotating the threaded stopper and a lid unit extended from the handle unit for encompassing a periphery of the pouring pipe in a state where the threaded stopper is inserted into the pouring pipe, the cap comprising: a rotating unit rotatively mounted at a periphery of the lid unit; and a connecting string fixed at one end thereof to the rotating unit and fixed to a body panel in the fuel door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yeoun-Kwan Sung
  • Patent number: 6227399
    Abstract: A tamper-evident fastening assembly for an outlet of a conduit, including a closure member for covering the outlet of the conduit, a strap extending from the closure member, and first and second fasteners connected to the closure member. The first fastener secures a first portion of the strap to the conduit by forming a first loop. The second fastener secures a second portion of the strap to the closure member by forming a second loop. Removal of the closure member from the outlet breaks the second loop but leaves the first loop intact on the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Bunzl Plastics Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Angus, Dennis R. Gray
  • Patent number: 6209746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank cap for closure of a fuel tank, which can be screwed onto a filler neck and has an inner closure element as well as a cap element and is mounted so as to rotate against the force of a return spring around an angle of free travel that is limited by a first stop and a second stop. The return spring is arranged between the closure element and the cap element so that the longitudinal axis of the return spring lies in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tank cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Gerdes GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Gerdes
  • Patent number: 6206223
    Abstract: A light-weight, spill resistant, easy to use barrel-shaped can cooler receptacle having a foam main body with a mating foam lid that are snug to the can and are leashed together by a flexible hinge. The can cooler is capable of receiving, protecting from spill, and keeping chilled a single soda or beer can. The main, lower body of the can cooler has a sloped upper surface to facilitate easy insertion of a can. The lid has a similarly sloped surface so as to enable an even, flush mating with the lower body. The lid can be quickly mated with the body of the receptacle without the need for any twisting or turning of the lid. Both the main body and lid are snug against the surface of the can, and are thus retained by friction. The lid may be opened and closed with the thumb and index finger of a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Raymond A. Wicker
  • Patent number: 6202879
    Abstract: A fuel cap assembly for use with a filler neck of a fuel tank. The cap assembly includes a tubular housing having a shaft. The housing secures the cap assembly to the filler neck of the fuel tank. An exterior cover is mounted to the housing for relative rotation about the housing. The cover has an integral hollow handle. The cap assembly is characterized by a pair of actuating fingers movably mounted within the handle. The fingers engage the shaft of the housing to selectively interlock the cover to the housing. A lost motion connection is created between the cover and the housing when the fingers are in a non-engaged position. When the fingers are squeezed to an engaged position, the cover is interlocked to the housing and rotation of the cover imparts rotation upon the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tesma International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Gericke
  • Patent number: 6186353
    Abstract: A removable battery cover on an electrical device such as a toy or appliance is secured to the device with a tether. The tether may comprise a flexible elongated member with an adhesive connector attached to each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Elizabeth P. Crocker
  • Patent number: 6173855
    Abstract: A tank closing device for a container includes a filler neck at the container and a closing member received in the filler neck. A closing cap is securable at the filler neck by a bayonet fitting. A sealing element is arranged at the closing member. A spring rests at the closing cap and biases the sealing element against the filler neck. The closing cap has a top face and a gripping member projecting upwardly from the top face. The bayonet fitting includes at least three socket elements at a circumferential surface of the closure cap or the filler neck and includes at least three dogs cooperating with the at least three socket elements and arranged on an opposing circumferential surface of the closing cap or the filler neck. The socket elements or the dogs or both the socket elements and the dogs are unevenly distributed over the circumferential surface, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Stark
  • Patent number: 6164482
    Abstract: In a string-attached cap in which one end of an elongated coupling member is connected to a capping member, the capping member is formed of an electroconductive resin, and the coupling member is also formed of an electroconductive resin which is flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Araki, Eiichi Asakura, Tatsuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 6145688
    Abstract: An injection molded assembly forming a sealing device for a threaded or non-threaded container using a double cap concept with pressure responsive convex sealing; also disclosed is a wiping mechanism, a one piece construction, a tamper resistant construction, a limited air exchange construction while allowing easy access to fluid contents, a sterile air venting and filter construction, a one piece tamper evident closure with a tethered container, and a frangible thether means molded with the formation of the sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: James C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6095352
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety accessory for sabering a bottle of sparkling wine, the accessory comprising a cord for retaining the neck of the bottle, the cord having a first free end fitted with means for enabling it to be connected to the neck of the bottle, and a second free end fitted with means for securing to an external support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: ASDVE
    Inventor: Robert Lambert
  • Patent number: 6085931
    Abstract: The lid attachment means for travel mugs consists of a unit that is designed to overcome the loss of the lids for travel mugs. The lid attachment means consists of a length of string or other material that is looped through a flexible stopper and then is wrapped around the handle of the travel mug and is knotted thereto. A housing is attached to the lid of the travel mug and is designed to receive the string or material. The housing has an openable top portion and base portion and the string or material is inserted therein and then the top portion is closed. The housing is attached to the lid of the travel mug by an adhesive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Emily Ann Sadow
  • Patent number: 6079589
    Abstract: A drinking receptacle cover to be removably applied to an opening of a receptacle main body. This cover has on its top plate a drinking spout which can be shut off and a negative pressure relief valve. The spout contains a drinking spout main body which protrudes from the top plate and has a channel; a drinking spout portion which is fitted on the drinking spout main body to be shiftable in the axial direction so as to open and close the channel; and a drinking spout cap which can be removably applied to the drinking spout portion; and the channel can be opened and closed by the shift of the drinking spout portion which occurs with fitting and removal of the drinking spout cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Matsuyama, Shoji Toida, Yasuhiro Kowa, Toru Goto, Rikiya Kato
  • Patent number: 6079582
    Abstract: A tank closure for a fill opening of a fuel tank has a closing device extending axially through the fill opening of the fuel tank. The closing device includes a grip for actuating the closing device. The closing device also includes a first clamping member and a second clamping member movable axially toward one another. The first clamping member has a first clamping surface and the second clamping member has a second clamping surface. The first and second clamping surfaces face one another and define therebetween an annular chamber. The first and second clamping surfaces are positioned at an angle .alpha. to one another. The closing device also includes a radially elastically expandable sealing ring positioned in the annular chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Hans Nickel, Harald Schliemann
  • Patent number: 6062413
    Abstract: An aperture forming structure, which when attached to or integrally formed in dispenser packages for flowable substances allows reclosure and single or multiple uses. The aperture forming structure includes a break away tip member of thermoformable plastic. The break away tip includes a hollow protrusion from a surface. The intersection of the hollow protrusion and the surface is a fault line. Rupturing of the fault line creates an aperture from which the contents of the dispenser package may exit. A cap may be integrally formed with the aperture forming structure and detached for protecting the hollow protrusion or for closing the aperture created when the fault line is ruptured. The aperture forming structure can be made by heating a relatively stiff substantially flat thermoformable sheet of and then stretching the sheet to create a first and a second hollow protrusion in a tiered configuration. A rupture line is placed at the intersection of the first and the second protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Patent number: 6062414
    Abstract: A container, particularly for drinks, comprising an end (5) in which a closed line of weakening (6) is formed defining the outline of a lid (7) and of a corresponding hole (8), and a lever (10) associated with the lid (7) and operable manually in order to tear the wall (5) along the line of weakening (6) and remove the lid (7) from the container wall is characterized in that it comprises a flexible tongue (9) which normally bears on the outer face of the end wall (5) and has one end (9a) fixed to the lever (10) and to the lid (7) and the other end (9b) fixed to the outer face of the end wall of the container, spaced from the lid, the tongue (9) being able, as a result of the manual removal of the lid from the container wall, to adopt 2 a bent configuration in which the associated lid is in a position of disengagement from the hole (8), restraining means (15; 19, 20) being provided for keeping the tongue in the bent configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Cesare Mongarli
    Inventors: Cesare Mongarli, Alessandro Mongarli
  • Patent number: 6059136
    Abstract: An end cap device for the flanged termination at the end of a container or a pipe. The end cap device includes a circular base having a peripheral edge, a bottom surface and a top surface. The top surface of the end cap base is beveled toward the bottom surface of the base in the regions proximate the peripheral edge. A shaft extends from the top surface of the base, wherein the shaft is oriented at a perpendicular relative the plane of the bottom surface of the base. A handle is connected to the shaft at a point between the two ends of the handle. A tether extends from the handle. The tether is formed into the configuration of a noose, wherein the noose can pass over the flanged termination the end cap device is designed to cover. The handle helps a person remove the end cap in a controlled manner while the tether prevents the end cap from falling. Both the entire end cap structure and the tether are made of stainless steel or another material that can be sterilized in an autoclave without corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Peter Lin
  • Patent number: 6041960
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for keeping a garbage can cover in close proximity to the garbage can. The device includes an elongate elastic cord having first and second ends. An eye-bolt is slidably disposed along the cord between the ends. The first end of the cord includes a permanent engagement structure, such as a loop. A hook or other releasable engagement is securely mounted to the second end of the cord. The device is used by securing the permanent engagement at the first end of the elastic cord to a first handle of the garbage can. The eye-bolt then is secured to the cover, and the hook at the second end of the cord is used to releasably engage the second handle. The contents of the garbage can can be accessed by removing the hook or other such releasable engagement from the second handle. The cover may then be dropped, but will remain in close proximity to the garbage can due to the attachment of the first end of the elastic cord to the can and the attachment of the eye-bolt to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Richard J. Leal
  • Patent number: 6041981
    Abstract: The proposal is for a container closure with a closure head (4) having a pivoted coupling (3) and an outlet aperture (6) as well as a closing component (7), in which, in the closed position, the closing head is clipped over the container aperture and its closing component (7) seals its opening (2), while in the open position, the outlet aperture is pivoted towards the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventors: Christoph Fleckenstein, Anja Goetz
  • Patent number: 6036061
    Abstract: A device for retaining the blank or sealing lid of a split cap used to cap a fluid container having an invertible spout. The device includes various means for ensuring that the blank will be retained in close proximity to the user so that it will not be lost. This is achieved by modifying the blank either to enable affixing it directly to the container, or to configure it to be easily attached to a site close to the container. The retaining device includes a threaded section affixed to the blank for coupling the blank to the standard vent port of a container. Optionally, the retaining device includes a tethering hole located in the gripping flange of the blank to enable tethering of the blank to the container or to a shop hanger. Alternative designs of the retaining device include placing attachment devices on the underside of the blank and on the container, such as hook-and-loop couplings, male/female nipple sets, and magnetized components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas F. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 6003709
    Abstract: A fuel cap which is to be attached to a filler neck which is open for a fuel supply has a closure which is to be fitted to the filler neck and which is made of a resin, and a shell which covers an upper part of the closure and which is made of a resin. The shell is formed by an electrically conductive resin material which has a surface resistance of 10.sup.11 .OMEGA. or less, or has a volume resistance of 10.sup.11 .OMEGA..multidot.cm or less, and a discharge rib portion is integrally formed on the inner peripheral face of the shell. In a state where the fuel cap is attached to the filler neck, the distance between the discharge rib portion and the filler neck or the body of an automobile is 3 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hagano, Masayuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5996800
    Abstract: A pair of thin, flexible, plastic panels are secured to one another at preselected peripheral edges to define a plastic bag and an auxiliary panel having an aperture formed in it is attached at its peripheral edges to an exterior side of a preselected panel of the pair of panels to form an auxiliary chamber. An aperture is also formed in the preselected panel in substantial registration with the aperture formed in the auxiliary panel and a valve head of a valve member is disposed between the apertures. In its position of repose, the valve head overlies the aperture formed in the preselected panel and underlies the aperture formed in the auxiliary panel. A valve neck is formed integrally with the valve head and is secured to the exterior side of the preselected panel so that it allows air being forced out of the bag to lift the valve head from the aperture formed in the exterior side of the preselected panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: David W. Pratt
  • Patent number: 5984127
    Abstract: A can cover is provided including a cover plate having a periphery with an annular peripheral lip coupled thereto and depending downwardly therefrom. The cover plate is adapted to be removably secured to a top of a can. A lid assembly is provided including a flange integrally coupled to a top face of the cover plate about a cut out formed therein. A cap is included for defining an open bottom for releasably securing to the flange. Connected between the cap and the cover plate is a string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Robert C. Fenton
  • Patent number: 5944228
    Abstract: A thermoplastic closure for a fluid container which has a flexible needle-like dispensing extension continuous with and extending from the base and ending at a tip wherein the extension has an internal cylindrical cavity with an interior aperture positioned within the base and an exterior aperture positioned at the tip. The flexible, needle-like extension facilitates ease in refilling reservoirs such as ink-jet cartridges and facilitates control over the rate of flow of the ink from the container into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Renewable Resources Company
    Inventor: Stephen M. Gray
  • Patent number: 5941385
    Abstract: A sharps disposal unit for use by paramedics and the like in the field that includes a container made of puncture resistant plastic or cloth and having an accordian like pleated side wall that stacks when compressed giving the container a very low profile before the container is stretched out for use. The container optionally slides into a holder that mounts to the side of a paramedic tool box for convient storage and location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Cheryl L. Barton
  • Patent number: 5887626
    Abstract: A one piece gland is disclosed for attachment to a liner bag. The gland includes a flange and a filling sleeve. The sleeve itself comprises a tubular portion which merges with the flange, an intermediate portion which defines an external groove and an externally threaded free end portion. Loops defining passages are provided between the tubular portion and the flange. The one piece gland forms part of a gland structure which includes an internally threaded cap which includes a pair of loops similar to the loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Stopak (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Barry Hugo
  • Patent number: 5887736
    Abstract: A container having a hinged stopper with a safety latch to deter unauthorized persons from opening the container. The underside of the stopper is provided with a channel which carries a slide pin movable to first and second positions: a first latching position in which an enlargement at the end of the slide pin is seated in a recess in the lip of the container and a second unlatched position in which the enlargement is freed from the recess enabling the stopper to be opened. The slide pin is biased to the latched position, and the slide pin should be pushed against the bias to unlatch the stopper, and while maintaining this force, the stopper must be simultaneously opened. The requirement of two simultaneous pushing motions is beyond the capability of most young children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Bob Mar
  • Patent number: 5829620
    Abstract: A filler neck closure cap includes a closure body, a handle coupled to an axially outer flange of the closure body, and an O-ring sealing gasket carried on an axially inner end of the closure body. The cap further includes closure retainer apparatus appended to a middle portion of the closure body to lie in fixed immovable relation to the middle portion. The closure retainer apparatus is configured to engage the filler neck to block removal of the closure body from the filler neck upon installation of the cap in the filler neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Harris, Jeffery Griffin
  • Patent number: 5765716
    Abstract: The cup protector includes a vertically elongate insulating sleeve slidably receiving a cup therein, the protector also including a closure lid integrally formed with the sleeve and selectively movable relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Dopaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Liming Cai, Michael G. Bodary