Noncontinuous Interlock Along Perimeter Of Closure, Closure Support Juncture Patents (Class 220/784)
  • Patent number: 6168044
    Abstract: A resilient microwavable container including a bowl and a selectively detachable snap on lid is disclosed. The lid includes a plurality of protrusions which snap over a pair of annular flanges extending outwardly from the bowl whereby a distinct clicking sound can be heard to verify the lid is properly attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffey J. Zettle, Daniel C. Wilson, Donald E. Hodge, Eric B. Schaper
  • Patent number: 6105817
    Abstract: A cap for detachable mounting onto a product container can be adjusted to meet varying tightness requirements. The cap includes deformable tabs with catches whose flexibility can be modified by selectively positioning an adjacent ring so that a varying portion of the ring surface cooperates with the tabs, thereby influencing the firmness of the tabs. Accordingly, the axial force necessary for the catches to engage a recess on the container can be modified as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Thierry Ponton
  • Patent number: 6076559
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable protective cover which securely yet releasably attaches to a conventional plumbing fixture via locking tabs, thereby reserving an annular space around the fixture and the underlying pipe during floor construction and allowing easy and rapid access to the fixture once the floor construction has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Gregory N. Castillo
    Inventors: Gregory N. Castillo, Bradley E. Castillo
  • Patent number: 6070730
    Abstract: A container for disks has an improved latching mechanism. The container comprises a cassette with sidewalls with slots for holding disks in an axial arrangement, two opposite endwalls each have a U-shaped recess extending downwardly from the open top, a top cover with a rectangular top portion and two end portions extend downwardly to cover the U-shaped recess. The top cover latches to the cassette by way of a latching mechanism which includes a living hinge, an extension portion, and a hook portion all on each end portion. The hook portion cooperates and engages with a cooperative catch member on the cassette. The extension member is under tension to secure the top cover in place. In an alternate embodiment, recesses on the extension portion connect to nubs on the cassettes or on the bottom cover to secure the top cover in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Fluoroware, Inc.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Narisawa, Kazuo Kaneko, Timothy D. Schmidt, Dale A. Maenke, Michael C. Zabka
  • Patent number: 6056145
    Abstract: A lid for use on a cup having a radially outwardly projecting non-helical brim extending around a mouth thereof. The lid is formed of plastic and comprises a center portion, and a flexible skirt extending downwardly from an outer periphery of the center portion. The skirt includes a radially inwardly projecting annular restriction ring adapted to be positioned beneath the cup brim. The skirt includes a plurality of threads spaced apart circumferentially around the skirt. Each thread extends generally helically upwardly from a location disposed between the restriction ring and a bottom edge of the skirt. The threads intersect the restriction ring to form circumferentially spaced caesurae in the restriction ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Rush, Bruce R. Smith, Thomas R. Toczek, Daniel J. Geddes, Warren G. Wiedmeyer
  • Patent number: 6056144
    Abstract: A beverage container lid is disclosed and taught whereby the brim of the lid is provided a multiplicity of small inwardly directed, radial protuberances projecting inward from the lid's outer peripheral brim which snap-in place under the cup's beaded rim thereby securing the lid to the cup's rim. In addition the circumferential array of small protuberances is interrupted by one or more, preferably three, inwardly projecting, circumferentially elongated oblong protuberances which engage the under surface of the cup's circumferential beaded rim. A second embodiment the beaded rim of the beverage cup is also taught wherein circumferentially spaced depressions, or recesses, corresponding to the oblong protuberances of the lid are provided. When the lid is applied to the cup, the oblong protuberances are indexed so as to pass over the rim depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Randall H. Strange, David E. Stier, Ernest Lindlar
  • Patent number: 6032827
    Abstract: A container including a combination of a bowl and a selectively detachable lid is disclosed. The bowl is a unitary structure including an upwardly projecting wall having a peripherally extending substantially U-shaped sealing lip. The selectively detachable lid is also a unitary structure including a body having a peripheral sealing lip which mates with the sealing lip of the bowl and at least one laterally extending tab member to assist in removing the lid from the bowl. Both the bowl and lid portions are preferably made from a resilient polymeric material suitable for both freezing and microwave reheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffey J. Zettle, Donald E. Hodge, Eric B. Schaper
  • Patent number: 5918762
    Abstract: A secure installing system for mounting a container on a frame member, with ease of access to the container. The installing system is appropriate for use in a medical environment such as a hospital. The frame member may be a shelf bracket, or a cabinet for housing a medical waste container, and may be mounted to a wall. A container such as a glove box holder is installed on the frame member. The container may have a dispenser opening providing ready access to materials such as tissues or surgical gloves. The container is securely mounted to the frame member using a hook and snap arrangement and may be disengaged from the frame member in order to exchange stored materials such as tissues or surgical gloves. The hook and snap arrangement protect against accidental dislodging of the container from the frame member, thereby preventing possible contamination of stored materials. Frame members that are shelf brackets may support two containers each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Graphic Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Rodolfo Gaba, Michael Griffin, Ignaty Gusakov, Ruane S. Jeter, Gordon H. Marsh
  • Patent number: 5918763
    Abstract: An electric parts storage casing is mounted on an electric junction box, and includes a storage casing body, and a cover engaged with this body. The cover includes a protruding portion which projects sidewise therefrom, and has an operating portion formed at a distal end thereof. Flexing portions are formed respectively at those portions of a peripheral wall of the cover respectively forming side corner portions of the protruding portion so that the cover can be smoothly and easily attached to and detached from the storage casing body merely by applying a lifting force to the operating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hara, Satoshi Saitou
  • Patent number: 5915581
    Abstract: A two-piece container including a plate having a peripheral rim and a cover having a peripheral flange. The flange of the cover has a depending portion adapted to overlappingly engage the rim of the plate in a releasable interlocking relationship. In one aspect of the invention, an indexing cut-out portion is formed in either the plate rim or the cover flange, and an indexing protrusion extends inwardly from the other of the plate rim and cover flange. To facilitate alignment of the cover and the plate during releasable attachment of the cover to the plate, the indexing protrusion is configured to engage the indexing cut-out portion. In another aspect of the invention, the plate has a bottom, a side wall extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom, and a raised rib-like partition extending upwardly from the bottom to define separate plate compartments for holding and separating food items thereon. The partition has an inverted V-shape with a rounded apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Boston Chicken, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Joseph Pfirrmann, Jr., Jeffery L. Kalebain, Thomas A. Messina
  • Patent number: 5902060
    Abstract: A depilatory wax applicator head (1) is provided. The applicator head is detachably engageable with a receptacle (7) for containing wax. The receptacle has an open end having a neck portion (6) with a non-cylindrical, elongated cross-section and extending along a longitudinal axis of the receptacle (7). A neck portion (6') may be provided by an intermediate part (12) detachably connected to the open end of the receptacle (7). The applicator head (1) is engageable with the neck portion (6, 6') along the longitudinal axis. The applicator head has an internal passageway and opposed ends of elongated cross-section. One of the ends includes a narrow outlet slot (10) and a spatula (11), and the other end has a mouth engageable with the neck portion (6, 6') of the receptacle (7). The mouth portion of the applicator head includes rigid peripherally spaced tongues (8) positioned on the inner wall of the passageway for clamping the applicator head (1) to the neck portion (6, 6') of the receptacle (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Phytolab, S.L.
    Inventor: M. Jesus Esmoris Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5893480
    Abstract: A closure cover for panel openings is formed of plastic material and comprises a cover cap carrying several resilient elastic fingers that extend from a lower side of the cover cap. Each finger carries a stop element for penetrating into the panel opening and retaining the cover in place. The resilient fingers (3) are each comprised of two small resilient bars (6, 7) between which is arranged the stop element (8) likewise designed in the form of a small elastic cross piece. The stop element (8) forms a hook with a connection area (9) located at a predetermined angle relative to the bars (6, 7) and a stop area (5) connected to the connection area (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: TRW Carr France
    Inventors: Pascal Dore, Jean-Luc Rene Georges Klein
  • Patent number: 5865333
    Abstract: A cap display for displaying a cap having a bill affixed to a fully opened crown. The cap display having transparent inner and outer shells which are shaped and sized such that the inner shell is smaller than the outer shell and such that the cap can be interposed between them with the cap's crown fully opened. Inner and outer crown portions of the shells generally conform to corresponding inner and outer crown surfaces of the crown of the cap. A shell securing mechanism for releasably securing together the inner and outer shells may be in the form of latching mechanisms disposed on an inner base on the inner shell and an outer base on the outer shell. The shells may include inner and outer risers between the inner and outer bases and the inner and outer bill portions so that a sign may be placed between the risers at front ends of the bill portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Kevin M. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5836468
    Abstract: The plastic snap closure possesses a snapping means (3) on the inside surface of the cap wall (2), said snapping means being able to be snapped over a bead on the container mouth. In order to display initial opening of the closure, approximately vertical weakened zones (4) are provided on the lower edge of the closure cap. The cap wall (2) will tear on initial opening of the snap closure in the area of at least one of these weakened zones (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork AG
    Inventors: Udo Bosl, Kelvin Pitman
  • Patent number: 5829581
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable humidor that allows for convenient storage and transport of cigars. A three-piece, rigid structure protects the cigars during transport and also includes a humidifying element that maintains the proper humidity level within the device. The humidifying element is housed in a receptacle at the bottom of the container, while a lid at the top of the container provides easy access to the cigars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Traveldor, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Wicker
  • Patent number: 5829591
    Abstract: A packing container assembly having an inner and an outer elongated hollow member each having a closed end and an open end, with the open end of the inner hollow member insertable into the open end of the outer hollow member to place the hollow members in longitudinal sliding engagement. A pair of interlocking devices are formed, one on an inner surface of the outer hollow member which comprises an inwardly extending protuberance, and the other on an outer surface of the inner hollow member, which comprises a plurality of spaced depressions extending inwardly from an inner wall surface thereof. The plurality of depressions are each adapted to receive the protuberance when the two members are joined together. A pair of elongated slots extending through the wall portion of the outer hollow member are provided on each side of the protuberance to enhance the flexibility of the wall portion at the protuberance and minimize any resistance to slidability at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: William J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5806704
    Abstract: A vacuum lid for a round thermoplastic paint container that includes a domed lid (20) with a valve cavity (22), a circumferential lip (38), and a peripheral flange (40). An O-ring (42) is positioned between the lip and flange to seal the container. A pair of lifting tabs (44) hold the lid onto the container by snapping into place onto the container's top lip (24). A one-piece unitary resilient valve (48) is located in the valve cavity and a vacuum pump (56) is attached to the valve. Air is evacuated from the covered container to prevent drying of the paint and utensils stored inside. The pump, in the manual form, is stored in brackets (66) on the surface of the lid, as well as a roller handle extension (70) retained in like brackets (68) for the convenience. One or more hooks (62) are mounted within the lid to hang wet brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Richard W. Jamison
  • Patent number: 5797511
    Abstract: A cap and cap arrangement for covering a necked opening preferably for use with fuel tank fill racks, the cap arrangement comprising: a cap, the cap having an open and a closed position; flexible retaining means for securing the cap to the neck in proximity to the opening, the flexible retaining means extending between the cap and the neck and arranged to provide a non-fixed pivot point in a plane laterally spaced from the cap and neck so that the cap pivots between its open and closed positions, and the cap having internal spring means positioned to engage the necked opening with sufficient tension to retain the cap in its closed position but to permit easy withdrawal of the cap upon application of suitable pressure to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: EMCO Wheaton Fleet Fueling Corp.
    Inventors: Stanley Robert Elsdon, Gordon Elford Fairles, Arthur S. Cornford
  • Patent number: 5782370
    Abstract: A casing of the present invention and applicable to an electronic apparatus is made up of a first and a second casing part. The first casing part is formed with first spaced hooks and ribs intervening between the hooks. The second casing part is formed with second hooks respectively engageable with the first hooks, and recesses 7 intervening between the second hooks and respectively engageable with the ribs 5. A ridge is formed in each recess and prevents static electricity from entering the casing via a path between the casing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 5758791
    Abstract: In a plastic food container including a lid and a base, a latching mechanism includes a first continuous rim along a periphery of the lid and a second continuous rim along a periphery of the base. The first rim includes an inner female member, a central male member, and an outer latching member. The central male member encompasses and is integrally connected to the inner female member, and the outer latching member encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the central male member. The second rim is adapted to latch with the first rim. The second rim includes an inner male member and an outer female member. The outer female member encompasses and is integrally connected to the inner male member. The outer female member includes an outer peripheral wall forming a plurality of spaced inwardly-projecting tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Raj K. Mangla
  • Patent number: 5730337
    Abstract: A dispensing fitment has a plurality of angularly spaced discrete retaining bead members extending circumferentially around the internal wall surface of a skirt on the fitment. Thinned wall sections of the skirt between the discrete retaining bead members elastically circumferentially expand to break the hoop strength of the skirt and allow the discrete retaining bead members to snap over and engage an external bead on the container neck. Thin, flexible, radially outwardly extending tabs secure the fitment within a cap for initial application to the container as an assembly with the fitment remaining on the container with subsequent removal of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: RXI Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dewey R. Carlile, Jr., Phillip M. Sanderson, Victor T. Exner
  • Patent number: 5725122
    Abstract: A lid assembly is provided for a pail which is characterized by a receptacle portion that is closed of by a secondary lid. The receptacle portion is provided for storing and displaying items related to the contents of the pail, e.g., small tools or instructions. The lid assembly may also have a pouring spout, either within or outside of the receptacle portion, so that the contents of the pail may be emptied without removing the entire lid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Plastican, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Murphy, Henry J. Blanchette, Richard P. Smagala
  • Patent number: 5725121
    Abstract: A closure for a container of liquid, granular or powdery products, comprises: a hub defined by a tubular central body, an upper free edge and a base fixed outside the container and peripherally external to a pouring opening; a cap removably matchable to the hub in correspondence to a closed condition of the closure; a sheet element peripherally welded to the upper cage of the hub and removable in correspondence to a condition of first opening of the product packaged inside the container; and mating grooves and recesses fit to join the cap to the hub in correspondence to the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Catta 27 S.R.L.
    Inventor: Belloli Gianpaolo
  • Patent number: 5702025
    Abstract: A lid to be used to dose the opening of a cooperative container providing a user with a spout that is selectively closed and opened to permit a user to draw the liquid inside the container and, if accidentally dropped, to avoid spillage and/or leakage of its contents. A slidable door is activated by a user to selectively block the liquid from coming out through the spout. A locking mechanism to keep the lid firmly and removably secured to the container includes a several latching members that extend perpendicularly from the periphery of the lid and engage with a corresponding number of openings formed in a peripheral locking member positioned adjacent to the rim of the container's opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Vito Di Gregorio
  • Patent number: 5669522
    Abstract: An enclosure for housing electronic circuitry having a base and a cover with side walls includes a non-exposed fastening mechanism for securing, sealing, centering, and releasing the cover relative to the base. The fastening mechanism includes a ledge on the inside of a cover side wall and a restraining clip having a fixed leg mounted to the base and a flexible leg movable towards and away from the fixed leg and which engages the ledge when the cover is positioned on the base. A resilient gasket is fastened to the cover and positioned to seal the cover to the base and to be resiliently compressed when the cover is positioned on the base. The resilient compression of the gasket maintains the flexible leg in contact with the ledge to secure the cover to the base. The flexible leg also maintains the cover side wall away from the base. Several restraining clips are spaced apart on the base so that the flexible legs center the cover in at least one direction relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Million, Raymond J. Ichrist
  • Patent number: 5667092
    Abstract: A reusable cover or lid and container comprising a cover having a lid tray and a peripheral flange, the lid tray having a top face and a bottom face and side walls that are substantially perpendicular to the top face and bottom face of the lid tray, the side walls having an outside surface and an inside surface, the peripheral flange having outside and inside walls, the inside surface of the side walls of the lid tray being complementary to and adapted to fit around the outside walls of the peripheral flange to form a first interface fit, the lid tray and the peripheral flange connected by a hinge, so that the angle between the lid tray and the peripheral flange can be altered and the first interface fit can be made or disengaged as desired, a container defining a cavity, the container having a bottom and outside walls and a rim that defines an opening to the cavity, the peripheral flange being complementary to and adapted to fit around the outside walls of the container and abut against the rim of the contai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Nice Pak Products
    Inventors: Robert P. Julius, Robert McClain
  • Patent number: 5641090
    Abstract: A lid 12 for refuse container and lid assembly having a base 14 and side walls 16 extending upwardly therefrom and terminating at an annular rim, the lid having a generally U shaped ledge 22 extending the approximate perimeter of the lid top portion 20 and elevated reinforcement means 36 and 38, and retaining members 70 intended to secure together the container and the lid 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Kowalski, Donald C. Presnell
  • Patent number: 5599505
    Abstract: A chemical analysis film cartridge has a box-like cartridge body in which a plurality of chemical analysis films are stacked. The chemical analysis films are taken out one by one through a take-out port formed in one end of the cartridge body. The take-out port has a first opening portion which is opened through a first side wall of the cartridge body and through which one chemical analysis film can be passed and a second opening portion which opened through one end face of the cartridge body. A first engagement portion is formed on the outer surface of the first side wall near the first opening portion and a second engagement portion is formed on the outer surface of a second side wall opposed to the first side wall. A capping member having third and fourth engagement portions is removably mounted on the cartridge body to cover the first and second opening portions of the take-out port with the third and fourth engagement portions respectively engaged with the first and second engagement portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujisaki, Yoshihiro Seto, Seiichi Watanabe, Kaoru Terashima