Including Integrally Formed Structure To Retain Closure In Closed Position Patents (Class 220/833)
  • Patent number: 6783029
    Abstract: A tube provided with a head and a skirt having an orthogonal cross section of particular shape in which the largest inscribed circle has a diameter D. The head, which is designed for fixing of a rigid closure, is provided with a circular cylindrical wall extending towards the inside of the tube and enclosing an orifice concentric to the inscribed circle and having a large diameter, typically more than 0.8D, and takes up substantially the internal volume of the skirt end over a height less than D, preferably less than D/3. The invention is further directed to a closure element, in particular a convenience closure, adapted for fixing substantially irreversibly on the tube head, comprising a base having an external outline matching the shape of the orthogonal cross section of the tube skirt, and a skirt having a diameter in the range of 0.5D to 0.9D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Cebal S.A.
    Inventor: Bernard Schneider
  • Patent number: 6772904
    Abstract: The invention provides a container for viscous dressing products that includes a jar and a closure or lid. The lid may be hingedly attached to the container so as to remain attached to the jar after opening. The container provides protection for the viscous dressing product during packaging, shipping, handling, retail display and consumer use, and also makes the viscous dressing readily accessible to the consumer. The container preferably includes a shelf or wiper on the closure to permit the consumer to swipe a serving utensil on the shelf to remove excess viscous dressing product from the utensil. The jar is preferably provided with improved handling characteristics as compared with prior art jars of circular cross section. In the preferred embodiments, the shape of the jar as viewed in plan is generally oval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl M. Gilliam, Anne Bucher
  • Publication number: 20040124200
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed container comprises sealing mechanisms (17, 17a) wherein upper sealing surfaces (11, 11a) and lower sealing surfaces (12, 12a) are provided in inward peripheral wall surfaces (9, 9a) and outward peripheral wall surfaces (10, 10a), respectively, of annular sealing grooves integrally formed with a container body (3) misaligned from each other in the height direction of the container body, and upper sealing parts (15, 15a) and lower sealing parts (16, 16a) are provided respectively in upper parts (13, 13a) and lower parts (14, 14a) of annular sealing protrusions formed integrally with a lid body (6), and the upper parts of the annular sealing protrusions are formed to be of high rigidity to make the upper sealing parts frictionally contact the upper sealing surfaces, and the lower parts of the annular sealing protrusions are formed to be flexibly deformable and of low rigidity to make the lower sealing parts be resiliently pressed against the lower sealing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Yukitomo Yuhara
  • Patent number: 6739475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to containers and their use in an automatic vending machine that vends articles of frozen confectionery. The vending machine includes an outer body, an outer door, and an environment-controlled chamber. The containers are of cylindrical, quasi-cylindrical or polyhedral shape to contain the frozen confectionery. The machine has an environment-controlled chamber maintained at about −18° C. and has insulating panels and an inner door, the machine being maintained by a refrigeration system and a defrost system. Within the chamber are vertical compartments for the storage of stacked containers, a dispensing device, and a discharge hopper leading to an outlet tray. In the outer door there are product selection and cash box mechanisms that monitors not only the amount or number of articles of frozen confectionery but also the amount of money inserted and dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jesus San Martin, Miguel Ruano Del Campo, Eduardo Domenech Sendra, Jorge Bueno Ceresuela
  • Publication number: 20040094561
    Abstract: A lid for a container. The container comprises a center piece and two identically shaped and sized end pieces separably attached to opposite sides of the center piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Salco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Degutis, Charles Lonnie Horne, Kathryn R. Sims Johnson, Joshua J. Chesser, Bryan S. Allen
  • Patent number: 6732883
    Abstract: A container with side and end walls, a top and a bottom, has a closure with a panel movable outwardly perpendicular to a plane of the closure, from a closed and substantially sealed position to a closed and substantially unsealed position to disengage the seal before undertaking a more gross opening movement in which the panel is moved clear of the opening. In one embodiment, a container is provided with a rear or end wall that in its gross movement hinges open and closed to clear or close an opening between container side walls. At least two hinges are mounted between the movable rear wall and a support plate on a sidewall adjacent to the movable rear wall. The support plate is constrained to move perpendicular to the plane of the door opening, shifting the rear wall between a closed and substantially sealed position and a closed and substantially unsealed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Wastequip Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Anthony D. Petzitillo, Jr., Todd A. Fowler
  • Patent number: 6729497
    Abstract: A paintball container comprises a body 12 and a lid 14. The lid 14 is hinged to the body 12 at one side, and has a tab 42 at the other side to facilitate opening of the container. The body 12 has a guard 26 formed on it adjacent to the tab 42 on the lid. The guard is substantially U-shaped and bounds a recess 30 into which a user can insert their thumb to pull up the tab 42 to release the lid. The guard 26 prevents accidental opening of the lid, for example when the container is being removed from a harness in which it is being carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: NPF Limited
    Inventors: John Ronald Rice, Mark Andrew Walker
  • Publication number: 20040004081
    Abstract: A closure assembly 10 contains positive and/or vacuum pressure within a pressure vessel 16 having a neck 12. A circumferential locking member 22 supported on a door 20 locks the door to the neck, and is radially moveable between an open position and a closed position. A seal 26 between the neck and the door maintains fluid-tight integrity. A lever or other hand powered operator may be used for moving the locking member between the open position and the closed position. The locking member may include locking segments interconnected to form the circumferential locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Doughlas J. McGuire
  • Patent number: 6669049
    Abstract: A blow-molded plastic container and reinforced lid are simultaneously produced in a blow mold. A lid is reinforced by having a portion of the lid formed by blow molding techniques and another portion of the lid formed by compression molding techniques. The container and lid combination, a method for making the combination and apparatus for making the combination are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Crider
  • Patent number: 6651857
    Abstract: A multi-use tape dispenser includes a housing with an open upper side, and a tape dispenser body pivotally connected to the housing to swing up and down on the housing. Small stationery items can be stored in a hollow space in the housing and may be taken out for use when the tape dispenser is swung up. The bottom of the housing has four suction discs to secure the tape dispenser on a table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Ching Tsung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030192900
    Abstract: A container with side and end walls, a top and a bottom, has a closure with a panel movable outwardly perpendicular to a plane of the closure, from a closed and substantially sealed position to a closed and substantially unsealed position to disengage the seal before undertaking a more gross opening movement in which the panel is moved clear of the opening. In one embodiment, a container is provided with a rear or end wall that in its gross movement hinges open and closed to clear or close an opening between container side walls. At least two hinges are mounted between the movable rear wall and a support plate on a sidewall adjacent to the movable rear wall. The support plate is constrained to move perpendicular to the plane of the door opening, shifting the rear wall between a closed and substantially sealed position and a closed and substantially unsealed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony D. Petzitillo, Todd A. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20030121927
    Abstract: A paintball container comprises a body 12 and a lid 14. The lid 14 is hinged to the body 12 at one side, and has a tab 42 at the other side to facilitate opening of the container. The body 12 has a guard 26 formed on it adjacent to the tab 42 on the lid. The guard is substantially U-shaped and bounds a recess 30 into which a user can insert their thumb to pull up the tab 42 to release the lid. The guard 26 prevents accidental opening of the lid, for example when the container is being removed from a harness in which it is being carried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: NPF Limited
    Inventors: John Ronald Rice , Mark Andrew Walker
  • Publication number: 20030098308
    Abstract: A container includes a container body, a cover, a reclosable fastener, a track, and a slider. The reclosable fastener is disposed between the container body and the cover and is adapted to fasten the cover to the container. The track includes a fastener portion formed on the reclosable fastener and a ramp. The ramp extends from a first end of the reclosable fastener and is at an angle with respect to a plane defined by the first end of the reclosable fastener. The slider is movable along the track to open or close the reclosable fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel Raymond Cerone, Michael W. Negus, Hollis J. Habeger
  • Patent number: 6554181
    Abstract: A reclosable pouring element with a base member and a closure lid which serves at the same time as the opening device. A flange surrounding the opening surface of the pouring element is fixedly connected to a flat gable top composite packaging. The closure lid has lateral bearing pins which are supported in corresponding recesses of the base member, in which a safe connection between the base member and the closure lid and a reliable opening/closing function of the flat gable top composite packaging is provided. The recesses in the base member are arranged on the package side so that the closure lid can be clamped from the package side into the recesses for receiving the bearing pins provided in the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: SIG Combibloc GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Dammers, Holger Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6454117
    Abstract: A manway assembly (10) designed for mounting within an opening (19) in a vessel wall (20) is provided which includes a manway ring (12) having a passageway (24) therethrough, with an inner cover (14) and a cover lock (18). The cover (14) is supported by a swing mount (16) including a tubular member (42), an arm (44) telescopically received within member (42), and a suspension connector (48). The lock (18) is made up of studs (38) secured to cover (14) and extending through passageway (22), with an annular locking plate (50) having bores (54) for receiving the studs (38); nuts (64) complete the locking arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Taylor Forge Engineered Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick D. Pysher, Kyle T. Minden, Michael England
  • Patent number: 6443304
    Abstract: A cassette container includes a container body having side walls and a lid member which is connected to the container body by way of a thin hinge portion to be rotatable about the hinge portion to close and open the container body and is provided with side walls which are fitted in or on the side walls on the container body when the lid member is closed. The side walls of the container body are provided with a pair of guide ribs having inclined surfaces which are adapted to abut against the side walls of the lid member when the lid member is closed and to guide the side walls of the lid member so that the side walls on the lid member are fitted in or on the side walls on the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Shiga, Yusuke Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6431393
    Abstract: A storage device (2) comprising a resilient frame (6) held in a housing with respect to sheet material, the resilient frame (6) and sheet material forming the sidewalls (4) of the device (2). The resilient frame (6) is movable between a flattened condition in which the resilient frame (6) is compressed and an erected condition to which the resilient frame (6) is biased. At one end of the device there is provided a base (8) and at the other end there is provided an opening (10) with closure means 11. The closure means (11), when moved to a closed position in one embodiment extend away from the opening and in all embodiments do not require any storage space in the device to be left unused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Worlds Apart Limited
    Inventor: John Stewart
  • Publication number: 20020088814
    Abstract: A tamper-proof container and cap assembly is provided, comprising a container having an upper portion and an outer surface. The container has a rim at the upper portion. The upper portion includes a flexible and detachable protrusion having a contact element and a break point. The container also has a cap having a base with an outer periphery and a skirt extending perpendicularly and outwardly around the outer periphery of the base. The cap has a hinge and a tap with a first and second slot wherein the first slot is capable of housing the protrusion, and the second slot has an interlocking device that mates with the protrusion. In an empty stage, the protrusion is positioned within the first slot. In a filled stage, the cap is placed upon the container and the protrusion is repositioned within the second slot and the contact element engages the interlocking device to form a tamper-proof seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: John Belfance, Ronald Supranowicz
  • Publication number: 20020088812
    Abstract: A container with side and end walls, a top and a bottom, has a closure with a panel movable outwardly perpendicular to a plane of the closure, from a closed and substantially sealed position to a closed and substantially unsealed position to disengage the seal before undertaking a more gross opening movement in which the panel is moved clear of the opening. In one embodiment, a container is provided with a rear or end wall that in its gross movement hinges open and closed to clear or close an opening between container side walls. At least two hinges are mounted between the movable rear wall and a support plate on a sidewall adjacent to the movable rear wall. The support plate is constrained to move perpendicular to the plane of the door opening, shifting the rear wall between a closed and substantially sealed position and a closed and substantially unsealed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony D. Petzitillo, Todd A. Fowler
  • Patent number: 6412634
    Abstract: A dispensing article, particularly for dispensing towelettes, is provided and includes a container body for storing the towelettes and a lid hingedly attached to the body. The container is formed from a floor panel, left and right side panels, front and rear panels and a deck panel. The deck panel includes a sealing section with a dispensing aperture. The sealing section is domed outwardly away from the floor. A downwardly projecting plug on an interior surface of the lid, in a closed position, engages within the dispensing aperture forming a seal therewith. The domed nature of the sealing section improves the air tight closure and shortens the required length of the plug to minimize aesthetically displeasing sink marks in the plastic wall of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Josephine Telesca, Raymond Michael Flaig
  • Patent number: 6409034
    Abstract: A hinged cap with a cap body having a raised portion with an outlet opening in its upper boundary wall, a hinged lid connected via a hinge to said cap body, and a locking arrangement formed on cap body and on hinged lid. At least the raised portion is formed of an elastically deformable material, and the hinged lid positions tight against at least the lip of the outlet opening in a closed position, exerting pressure on the raised portion in the direction of closure. An element formed of an elastically deformable material is provided on the hinged connection which generates a biasing between the cap body and the hinged lid in order to bring the hinged lid into an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Kunststoffwerk Kutterrer GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Horst Schorner
  • Patent number: 6398067
    Abstract: A tamper-proof container and cap assembly is provided, comprising a container having an upper portion and an outer surface. The container has a rim at the upper portion. The upper portion includes a flexible and detachable protrusion having a contact element and a break point. The container also has a cap having a base with an outer periphery and a skirt extending perpendicularly and outwardly around the outer periphery of the base. The cap has a hinge and a tap with a first and second slot wherein the first slot is capable of housing the protrusion, and the second slot has an interlocking device that mates with the protrusion. In an empty stage, the protrusion is positioned within the first slot. In a filled stage, the cap is placed upon the container and the protrusion is repositioned within the second slot and the contact element engages the interlocking device to form a tamper-proof seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: CV Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Belfance, Ronald Supranowicz
  • Patent number: 6364154
    Abstract: A waste handling, intermodal container includes a container body having left and right sides, a rear, a top, an upwardly facing top opening in the top, and a rear opening in the rear; a lid sized to cover said top opening and having a closed and clamped position tightly covering and sealing the top opening and an open position including said lid being vertically positioned along one side of the container body; a lid control and support mechanism connected with the lid and the container to support the lid and to permit the lid to be slid and pivoted between the closed and clamped position and the open position; a rear door hingedly connected along one side of the container to close off the rear opening; and, a retractable hinge assembly operable to retract the door tightly against the rear of the container body to seal the rear opening and to extend the door rearwardly to enable the door to be pivotally opened at the hinge assembly to a position alongside one side of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Galbreath, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Kruzick, Dann Bailey, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6364153
    Abstract: A container with side and end walls, a top and a bottom, has a closure with a panel movable outwardly perpendicular to a plane of the closure, from a closed and substantially sealed position to a closed and substantially unsealed position to disengage the seal before undertaking a more gross opening movement in which the panel is moved clear of the opening. In one embodiment a movable lid covers and seals an opening in a top wall. At least two guides are positioned adjacent to the opening and hold captive rollers of a lid carriage that enable the lid to be moved to either side of the container and tilted clear of the opening. The guides are movable in a direction perpendicular to the closure plane and either lift the lid to disengage the seal or pull the lid downwardly to compress the seal. In another embodiment, a container is provided with a rear or end wall that in its gross movement hinges open and closed to clear or close an opening between container side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony D. Petzitillo, Jr., Todd A. Fowler
  • Patent number: 6347716
    Abstract: A flip top closure has a tamper evident flap and is used on a container with a neck and an opening therein. the neck has an outer surface with retaining means for the closure thereon. The closure has two sections that are hinged to one another and with each section having a lip extending along an edge thereof. When the closures are in a closed position, the two lips form a continuous line of contact with one another and a flap extends across the line of contact. The flap is connected to one section by ultrasonic spot welding. The flap is severable from either or both sections. When the closure is opened the flap separates from one of the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Pano Cap (Canada) Limited
    Inventors: Karl H. Nofer, Jozef Krajnc
  • Patent number: 6336552
    Abstract: A stackable insert for use in organizing the family members in a family of top opening military type ammunition boxes wherein each family member has the same base dimensions but a different height than other members in the family of boxes. The insert includes a rectangular shaped open top container and a flat lid that is hinged to one side wall of the container and secured at closure by a positive snap over latching mechanism. A pair of finger holes, or other lifting means, are provided in the lid which provides for easy lifting of the insert. A panel type separator divides the container into compartments. The insert is dimensioned so that a plurality of inserts can be stacked in each member sized ammunition box to maximize the usable space within each size box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: RPM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter John Meier
  • Patent number: 6305591
    Abstract: A container for holding an orthodontic retainer. The container comprises a front wall, an opposing back wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a bottom wall and a lid to define a cavity capable of holding an orthodontic retainer. The lid is hingedly attached to the back wall so the lid is not also easily lost. In a first preferred embodiment, a string is connected to the container that allows the user to hang the container from his neck. In a second preferred embodiment, a clip is formed in the back wall so that the user can attach the container to his clothing, much like an electronic pager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Janice M Jones
  • Patent number: 6293286
    Abstract: The invention concerns a compact, comprising a lid and an open-work compact body, receiving a product reserve contained in a base cup. It further comprises a sealing joint (6) fixed to the base cup (5) and pressed tight on the compact body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gueret
  • Patent number: 6240989
    Abstract: The present invention is a unique business card holder and dispenser. The invention offers advantages of holding and dispensing a relatively large number of business cards, while the invention's business card holder and dispenser is small enough to fit in small spaces (such as one's pockets). Moreover, the invention offers the advantages of protecting business cards from being lost or damaged. The invention's business card holder and dispenser can be left in relatively hot environments without any damage to the business card holder and dispenser or any damage to the business cards held inside the invention's business card holder and dispenser. Further, the user can easily and conveniently use the invention's business card holder and dispenser and reach inside the business card holder and dispenser to take cards out. The invention's business card holder and dispenser is sturdy and does not break and thus does not need to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Mahmoud Masoud
  • Patent number: 6206221
    Abstract: A lid assembly (20) comprises a lid body (21) having an dispensing opening and fitted on a container body (11), and a hinged lid (23) pivotally joined to the lid body (21). A rubber plate (50) is extended across a hinged joint between the lid body (21) and the hinged lid (23). The lid body (21) is provided with a recess (60), and a vertical plate (92) and a horizontal plate (90) are formed in the recess (60). The vertical plate (92) is provided with a catching projection (79) that catches a stopping projection (23) formed on the hinged lid (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignees: Uni-Charm Corporation, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Bando, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Norikazu Shinogi
  • Patent number: 6176385
    Abstract: A container for installation beside seats in vehicles, especially for installation as a center console between the front seats of a motor vehicle, has a housing that is box-shaped and open at the top. A lid is pivotable around a pivot axis integral with the housing and simultaneously designed as an arm rest which covers the housing opening. A latching device is operable between the housing and the lid for locking the lid in pivot positions on the housing that modify the height of the arm rest. To provide an economical and stable adjustability of the arm rest, which requires only a small amount of space for installation, a latching device consisting of a latching strip and latching member is provided on an underside of the housing that is opposite the pivot axis of the lid. The latching member has a latching pin guided displaceably lengthwise on the lid and the latching strip is mounted on a housing wall of the housing that extends transversely to the displacement direction of the latching pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Jochen Feese, Oliver Hasenoehrl
  • Patent number: 6129233
    Abstract: The collection of household refuse using multichamber refuse containers poses problems if automatic container grippers are used since the section lids of the container can no longer be opened manually before the container is tipped into the vehicle. In particular in the case of multichamber refuse containers having a partition which is attached perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the container lid in the container, there is the risk that as the refuse is being tipped into the vehicle, the section lids of the container will collide with the partition of the vehicle and therefore will not open completely. The patent specification proposes various means, such as changing the geometry of the axis of rotation of the section lids, or curved control means attached to the refuse container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Rolf Schiller
  • Patent number: 6119891
    Abstract: A housing havinga bottom (3) provided with a wall (6) cylindrical with respect to an axis (7);a cover (4) provided with a cylindrical wall (14);a hinge (20) about an axis (21);complementary portions (25, 26) for locking the bottom (3) and the cover (4),in which it has male (31) and female (32) parts extending in the direction of the axis (21); connected to the bottom (3), to the cover (4); the female part (32) having an end opening (33) allowing for the engagement of the male part (31); the female part (32) having the general shape of an arc of a circle centred on the main axis,the male and female parts (31, 32) occupying an engaged or disengaged position; the passage from one to the other being achieved through the pivoting of the cover (4) about the axis (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lir France
    Inventor: Bernard Favre
  • Patent number: 6065626
    Abstract: It is related to an improved box opening/closing structure for storing wet towels for baby. It mainly comprises a box for storing wet towels, a box cover fitted on the box and a lifting cover disposed on the middle of the box cover. When a user wants to open it, just press on the lifting cover, this lifting cover can be opened. When this user wants to close it, just make the lifting cover rotate down and then the lifting cover will be locked with box cover. Therefore, not only an excellent sealing effect can be obtained but also the moisture of the wet towels stored in the box can be kept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventors: Chien Jung Huang, Keh Chang Han
  • Patent number: 6059135
    Abstract: A safety container is described which can simultaneously store and secure containers of liquid and solid medications without any mingling of the two types of medications occurring. The safety container can also store and secure medical equipment and supplies used in the administration of medications, as well as other items. The lid of the safety container is secured to the receptacle of the safety container by a slidable elongated bolt which engages a flange located on the receptacle. The slidable elongated bolt can be held in place by a lock. Multiple units of the safety container can be joined together through a tongue-and-groove configuration located on opposing walls of the receptacles. In another embodiment, a safety container is described which allows the lid to move horizontally with respect to the receptacle. The lid is prevented from being raised upwardly be at least one flange which abuts at least aperture located on one sidewall of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: John James
    Inventors: John James, Wendy Gilhula, Linda Gullette Hudson, Donna Poling
  • Patent number: 6039207
    Abstract: A lidded insulator for a beverage container comprising an insulator lid hingedly attached to an insulator body by means of a hinge. An insulator top ring having an insulator top ring bore is attached to the insulator lid. The hinge is made of resilient material possessing material memory tending to urge the hinge into a straight position. This hinge material memory tends to urge the insulator lid into a closed position. The lidded insulator for a beverage container is sized to frictionally admit a standard sized beverage container. Thus the beverage container is held securely within the insulator body, and when the insulator lid is closed on the beverage container, the frictional fit between the insulator lid and the beverage container holds the top closed, and together with the hinge material memory, urges the insulator lid top into sealing relationship with the beverage container opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Thad R. Adamek
  • Patent number: 6003713
    Abstract: An opening arrangement for packaging containers designed so as to prevent splashing or spraying of liquid contents on reclosure of the opening arrangement. The opening arrangement (1) has a closure device (4) with a front end depressable into the pouring opening (5) of the opening arrangement, and a rear compression portion (10) of greater cross sectional area than the pouring opening (5). The compression portion (10) includes arrest heels (14) facing towards the pouring opening (5), the arrest heels, on reclosure of the opening arrangement, coming into contact with the wall surface (3) located around the pouring opening (5) and preventing any possible residual contents (9) thereon from causing splashing in connection with the reclosure operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Jackie Derving
  • Patent number: 5938026
    Abstract: A reclosable dispenser is provided which includes an outer case having a cap hingedly attached to a rear wall of the case. A tray is fitted within and slidably removable from a pocket of the case. The tray can contain a plurality of swabs. An open face of the tray is juxtaposed against a front wall of the outer case. The reclosable dispenser can serve as a travel case carrying relatively small amounts of the swabs, laid within the tray, but protected by a relatively thick walled outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.
    Inventor: Mark Edward Thorn
  • Patent number: 5927535
    Abstract: An improved child-resistant plastic safety closure for containers has a depending skirt on it for attaching the closure to the top of a container. The top of the closure has an opening through it, which extends over a major portion of the total area of the top. A lid with upper and lower surfaces is hinged at one edge of the opening in the top for closing the opening. Tongue-and-groove inter-engagement members between the lid member and the top, around at least part of the periphery of the opening, hold the lid closed in the opening. Diametrically-opposed, spaced-apart first and second fulcrum extensions are located on opposite sides of the opening a predetermined distance from the hinged edge of the lid member; and these fulcrum extensions are located below the lower surface of the lid member when it is closed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Top Seal Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas P. Goth
  • Patent number: 5924566
    Abstract: A decorative and functional plunger caddy device for storing a toilet plunger in the bathroom. The caddy device is transported by opening the door of the caddy device, inserting a toilet plunger into the caddy device and securing the door of the device so that the user may lift and carry the caddy device by holding the exposed handle of the toilet plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Paul Stephen Gibbs
  • Patent number: 5918756
    Abstract: A pressure vessel according to the present invention includes a housing with a cylindrical upper portion having a plurality of radially extending catch members on its circumference and a lid for mating with the housing with a cylindrical side edge having a plurality of hook-shaped retaining members spaced about its circumference to correspond with the catch members. A control system operates a lift to lower the lid onto the housing. A drive cylinder connected between the lid and the housing is then enabled to rotate the lid relative to the housing about its central axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. Spacers mounted to the inner surfaces of the retaining members act as bearings, guiding the lid as it rotates. As the lid rotates toward its locked position, finger portions of the retaining members cam into underlocking engagement with the catch members to draw the lid onto the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: H. William Morgan
  • Patent number: 5893481
    Abstract: A box (1) for cosmetic products, comprises a base (3) and a cover (2) articulated on an edge of the base (3) and having a closure joint. At the level of the hinge of the box (1), the cover (2) has at least one resilient tongue (6) projecting into the hinge, this resilient tongue (6) bearing with resilient deformation on the base (3) during closing of the box (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Lir France
    Inventor: Bernard Favre