Flexible Hinge Patents (Class 220/837)
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Publication number: 20020070218Abstract: A new and improved plastic closure is disclosed herein. The closure contains a breakout seal that leaves the opening flush with the wall of the closure, an interference fit lock for the seal, bypass walls to maintain freshness when the lid is closed, and induction heat sealing of the closure to the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: Controlled Molding, Inc.Inventor: Raymond P. Mozes
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Patent number: 6394323Abstract: A dispenser package for a fluent product that includes a plastic container having an axially extending cylindrical neck, and a closure secured to the open end of the neck. The closure includes a plastic fitment having a dispensing opening and a cylindrical wall received within the neck. The container neck has a radially opening circumferential channel, while the fitment has a radially projecting circumferential bead received by snap fit into the channel to secure the fitment to the neck. A top is pivotally secured to the fitment or to the container neck for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispensing opening is circular, and the top has an annular wall that forms a plug seal within the dispensing opening when the top is in the closed position. The top is flush with the fitment or the axial end of the container neck in the closed position to form a compact visual structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1999Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
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Patent number: 6378718Abstract: A beverage can. In order to obtain distribution in hygienic conditions of fluid contained in the can a protection element is provided, which has a first and a second laminar portion which are superimposed and connected in a manner which is hermetically sealed but which is separable by being pivoted around a hinge. An upper surface of the first laminar portion of the protection element becomes a sterile support surface for an upper lip, and the lower surface of the second laminar portion of the protection element becomes a sterile support surface for a lower lip.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Maggi S.p.A.Inventors: Mario Maggi, Rosella Maggi
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Patent number: 6367639Abstract: A safety container incorporates a slidable locking pin with an integral but separately lockable locking tab. The locking pin is internally biased by an integral S-spring which, in cooperation with the lid on the container, urges the pin to slide in a slideway in the lid of the container. The locking pin may be locked into a closed position, however, by rotation of the locking tab into a flexed position. In this position, the locking tab cannot slide within a mating slot in the hinge lid and thus the locking pin cannot slide in the slideway in the lid. Alternatively, the locking tab may be rotated into a non-flexed position in which the locking tab can be urged to penetrate the mating slot in the lid and allow the locking pin to slide in the slideway in the lid. By use of the locking pin, the safety container can be set to require the user to engage in at least distinct hand motions in order to open the container.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Inventor: Bob Mar
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Patent number: 6325239Abstract: The present invention provides a container comprising: (a) a semi-enclosed container body including a tubular structure having two open ends and a bottom panel enclosing one end of the container body, the other end of the tubular structure opposite from the bottom panel forming a substantially continuous outwardly-extending peripheral flange; (b) a lid for selectively converting the semi-enclosed container to a closed container; and (c) a closure for sealing the lid to the container body, the closure comprising a mechanical interlocking seal and a slideable mechanical closure for sealing the mechanical interlocking seal. The container is preferably stackable and self-supporting, and the mechanical interlocking seal includes at least one interlocking bead and groove pair located on the lid and flange. The container may also be collapsible via folding of the tubular structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Catherine Jean Randall, Matthew Todd Hupp, Jennifer Kay Kerfoot
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Publication number: 20010035424Abstract: A closure for an open mouth of a container is provided. The closure includes a rim and a lid frame configured to mate with the rim. The rim includes an opening and is adapted to be coupled to a top edge of the open mouth of the container. The closure further includes a connector having a cover portion coupled to the lid frame in order to form a lid and a hinge portion coupled to the rim. The lid frame is made of a first material and the connector is made of a second material. The connector is provided to support the lid for pivotable movement relative to the rim between a closed position wherein the lid closes the opening formed in the rim and an opened position wherein the lid lies away from the rim.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventors: Robert L. Combe, David J. Jochem, Timmy L. Willett
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Patent number: 6305563Abstract: A one-piece dispensing structure is molded by a process combining a co-injection molding first phase with a bi-injection molding second phase. In the first phase, a skin material and core material are co-injected into a mold cavity first region to form most of the major portion of the closure body. Subsequently, a movable shut-off member is retracted to expose an intermediate region which (1) is adjacent the closure structure hinge area and which (2) establishes communication between the mold cavity first region and another part of the mold cavity defining the closure lid portion. The skin material is injected through a second gate directly into the cavity intermediate region to fill the cavity intermediate region and the closure lid portion of the mold cavity. The skin material in the cavity intermediate region bonds to the previously injected skin material in the cavity first region adjacent the closure hinge.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc,Inventor: John Elliott
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Patent number: 6270867Abstract: Copolymers of ethylene and alpha olefins that have been formed by the polymerization reaction in the presence of a single site catalyst, such as a metallocene, are used to form collapsible dispensing containers and/or components thereof. Blends of the copolymers with propylene polymers are disclosed and used to form a body wall layer or a collapsible dispensing container head having good bond strength with a body wall layer formed of an ethylene polymer. Methods for improving the adhesion between collapsible dispensing container components, such as between body wall layer formed of an ethylene polymer and another body wall layer formed of a propylene polymer, or between a body wall layer formed of an ethylene polymer and a collapsible dispensing container head formed of a propylene polymer, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc.Inventors: John P. Eckstein, Johnny Q. Zheng, Mark E. Nordness, Ronald J. Dembowski, Douglas J. Jackson
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Patent number: 6269970Abstract: A wet wipe container having improved opening and improved tear resistance between the lid and the base among other features. The container includes a container base and a container lid that is connected to the container base. In one embodiment, the container lid has a guide ridge that extends downward into the interior of the container. The guide ridge permits the container lid to be in a partially open position and provides better alignment between the container lid and the container base during closing of the container. In another embodiment, the container includes a closure that has an upwardly extending tongue projection, a flattened grip area and an assistive region to increase the ease with which the container can be opened. The invention also relates to a container having a more tear resistant container lid. The container lid has a hinge channel of a primary thickness. The hinge channel has two end regions that are of a secondary thickness that is greater than the primary thickness.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang, Rodney Carlton Christianson, Douglas Bryan Cole, Stephen Bernard Studee
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Patent number: 6264051Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 29, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Inventor: Bryan L. Reidenbach
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Patent number: 6247595Abstract: A flat tablet case (A) is assembled by joining together a bottom half case (30) having the shape of a rectangular tray and a top half case (10) having the shape of a rectangular tray. A plurality of studs (21 to 25) are formed on the inner surface of the top half case (10), and a plurality of sockets (41 to 45) are formed on the inner surface the bottom half case (30). A hinged cap (50) is formed integrally with the bottom half case (30) in a section of the side wall (31) excluding corners. The hinged cap (50) is provided on its opposite side surfaces with projections (53, 54) which are engaged with and disengaged from cap holding structures (35, 36) formed on the bottom half case (30).Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhiko Omata, Yuji Sugiyama, Mikiko Suzuki, Hisashi Aizawa
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Patent number: 6138863Abstract: A multipurpose container having a lid and a receptacle. The receptacle has a base, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. The side walls are opposing each other and are integral to the base and to each other. At least one container wall has one half of a hinge mechanism integrally molded to a free end which mates with the other half of the hinge mechanism integrally molded with the lid to for the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism removably and pivotally attaches the lid to the receptacle. The hinge prevents the lid from rotating past a prescribed angle while allowing the lid to remain open to aid in filling the container. The lid includes a living hinge which allows the lid to be reduced in size and fit within the container. The container is adapted to being stackable and nestable when the lid is removed and placed inside the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: Cynthia R. Aiken
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Patent number: 6123190Abstract: A storage case comprises a case member and a lid member formed integrally with each other. The case member is open at the top and front side thereof. It consists of a bottom plate, lateral walls provided on the bottom plate along opposite lateral sides of the bottom plate, retainers each provided on the inner surface of the lateral wall to be engaged into an engagement cut in a disc cartridge which is to be accommodated into the storage case, and first engagement projections formed on the inner surfaces of the opposite lateral walls.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Masaaki Kuboduka
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Patent number: 6119890Abstract: A cylindrical can cover to be mounted onto an opening of the can is disclosed, which includes a top plate and a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the peripheral margin of the top plate. The top plate is divided into two parts, one part being stationary on the opening of the can and including a scraper extending across the top plate and extending downwardly from the underside of the top plate, and the other part being swingable up and down and including a folding line extending along the scraper across the top plate. The peripheral wall includes a sealing band connected at a thinner wall portion and having its bottom end extending laterally, and a detachable part extending vertically at each of positions corresponding to opposite ends of the folding line extending to the peripheral edge of the top plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Nihon Seikan Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Seizi Kawamata
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Patent number: 6095364Abstract: A unitary child-resistant closure for pill containers, comprises a substantially rectangular base having an opening therein. A first fixed cover portion overlies more than 50% of the opening. There is a moveable closure member, and a hinge--usually, a living hinge--connecting the moveable closure member to the rectangular base. The moveable closure member has first and second major surfaces, which are its upper surface and lower surface when the moveable closure member is in its operative closure position. A camming member is upstanding from the second major surface of the moveable closure member at a first end thereof, and presents a sliding cam surface which is sloped in a direction towards the second major surface and away from the hinge.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1999Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Medex Packaging Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Dickie, Maurice Tousson
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Patent number: 6070723Abstract: A reclosable package and method having an integral reclosable door adjacent one end that permits article removal from the end of the package. The package is comprised of a thermoformed blister body joined to a thermoformed backing body. The blister body has sidewalls, endwalls and a peripheral flange broken into a first section adjacent the door where the height of the sidewalls decrease and a second section opposite the door with the first section angled relative to the second section. The backing body carries the door and has an integral peripheral rib inboard of a peripheral flange with the flange having a first section about the door and a second section disposed away from the door. The rib has a pair of longitudinally-extending sections divided by a notch that preferably is a transverse rib that causes the door to bend about a desired fold line that runs generally through or adjacent the ribs or notches when urged away from a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1999Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Portage Plastics Corp.Inventor: Gregg S. Lewis
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Patent number: 6056142Abstract: A closure is provided for a container and includes a base and a lid. The base includes a body for mounting to the container, and the body defines a dispensing orifice. A tamper-evident seal extends across the dispensing orifice. The lid includes a peripheral frame, a flexible panel, and a penetrator member extending from the panel for penetrating the seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1999Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.Inventor: John Elliott
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Patent number: 6039197Abstract: A closure assembly to facilitate the sealing of each of a series of necked containers, each of different body configurations and contours, with the same hinged lid. The invention thus obviates the need for relatively complex and costly molds and effects substantial savings in manufacturing costs. The first component of the closure assembly is an adapter for mounting on a given particular container. The adapter includes a skirt for sleeved securement onto the neck of the container. A plate of the adapter overlies the container neck and is formed with a through port for discharge therethrough of material stored in the container. A second component of the closure assembly consists of a lid assembly, the same lid assembly being readily attachable to each of the different adapters, and, thus, to each of the different containers. The lid assembly includes a cover overlying the plate of the cap.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Kenall Manufacturing Co.Inventor: Morris Braun
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Patent number: 6039207Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 17, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Inventor: Thad R. Adamek
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Patent number: 6029848Abstract: In conventional manner, the box or a box element is made up of elements, such as cover (1) and a bottom (2) both of which are made of molded plastics material and which are hinged to each other means of a hinge (3); according to the invention, there is included a flexible sheet (4) of synthetic material which is fixed to each of said elements (1, 2) by overmolding and which includes an intermediate free zone (40) which, on its own, constitutes said hinge (3). The protective box can receive various articles, for example compact disks.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1997Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: La Francaise Des PlastiquesInventors: Philippe Cha, Eric Savatte, Dominique Taburet
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Patent number: 6003713Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.Inventor: Jackie Derving
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Patent number: 5992668Abstract: A closure is provided for a container and includes a base and a lid. The base includes a body for mounting to the container, and the body defines a dispensing orifice. A tamper-evident seal extends across the dispensing orifice. The lid includes a peripheral frame, a flexible panel, and a penetrator member extending from the panel for penetrating the seal.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: AptarGroup, Inc.Inventor: John Elliott
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Patent number: 5988424Abstract: A hinge flap capsule for containing a pourable material or articles being capable of non-destructive opening and re-sealing where the capsule is formed of a shell container and a cap interference fit thereto and the hinge flap is integrally formed with the cap to permit repeated opening and closure of the capsule for access to the contents thereof, where the capsule is particularly suited for use in vending pourable (fluid) materials from bulk vending machines.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Parkway Machine CorporationInventor: Edward B. Kovens
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Patent number: 5984123Abstract: A packaging container having a container body and a lid unit which is undetachably mounted on the container body. The container body has a neck portion provided with an opening. An external thread cut in the outer periphery of the neck portion, and a lid mounting portion is provided below the external thread. The lid unit has a lid body and a fitting member. The lid body is provided with an internal thread engageable with the external thread of the container body, and has a function of hermetically sealing the opening of the container body. The fitting member is rotatably fitted around the lid mounting portion of the container body, but vertical movement of the fitting member is restricted within a predetermined range. The fitting member is held undetachable from the lid mounting portion by a collar of the container body.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignees: Eisai Co., Ltd., Taisei Kako Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuro Mogami, Akira Miyazaki, Sumio Watanabe, Masaharu Nakao
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Patent number: 5950848Abstract: A dispensing cap (3) having a body (32) made of a rigid or semirigid material, intended to be mounted on a reservoir (21) containing a product of a fluid-to-viscous consistency, is provided with an opening (4) permitting the dispensing of the product and a lid (5) of a rigid or semirigid material capable of obturating the opening (4). The lid (5) is articulated on the body (32) in the vicinity of an articulation axis (A) so as to be capable of selectively passing from an open position to a closed position, and is connected to the body (32) by a connecting element (10) having one of its ends joined to the lid (5) and its other end joined to the body (32). The connecting element (10) is disposed so as to be situated on one side of the articulation axis (A) in the open position and on the other side of the axis (A) in the closed position. The connecting element (10) is subjected to an elongation when the lid (5) passes from one to the other of its open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: L'OrealInventor: Gilles Baudin
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Patent number: 5950814Abstract: A spectacle case (1) consists of two lateral elements (6) and an enveloping element (11) made of an elongated sheet of thin, resilient material having at its one end a section which is bent into cylinder sector form to constitute an end surface (5) of the case, a planar or slightly curved section which forms the bottom (8), a section which has been bent into cylinder sector form to constitute a second end surface (4), a planar or slightly curved section which forms the cover surface (10) and a section at the opposite end of the elongated sheet which has been bent into cylinder sector form to constitute a hooked locking means (9). The two lateral elements are permanently joined with those portions of the elongated sheet which constitute the bottom and the two end surfaces and brace these sections whereby they provide a solid bottom portion of the case. The unbraced portion forms a resilient cover (3) of the case.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Lindberg Optic Design A/SInventors: Henrik Lindberg, Poul J.o slashed.rn Lindberg
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Patent number: 5938068Abstract: A container for storing food items comprising a cover hingedly mounted to a tray. The hinge comprising one or more hinge lines. A line of weakness is provided to aid in the removal of the cover from the tray. The line of weakness preferably comprises a series of closed crests and troughs.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Dart ContainerInventors: Todd Atkins, Donald L. Dixon, Jr.
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Patent number: 5934496Abstract: A closure for a container and a method of producing the same is set forth. The closure is a single integrally-molded spout, cap and hinge assembly joining the spout and the cap. The closure may also have a membrane and pull-ring, also integrally molded as one piece. The cap may have at least one prop for preventing interference from the cap with the pouring of the contents of the container. Additionally, the spout may have a step for assisting in the prevention of interference from the cap during pouring, and for providing a predetermined sound every time that the cap is opened. Further, the closure may have a tamper-evident member to indicate that the closure has been opened. Still further, the closure may have an orienting peg for properly orienting the closure on a container.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SAInventors: Jens Mogard, Karl-Erik Lundh, Gote Elof Rickardsson
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Patent number: 5927535Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Top Seal CorporationInventor: Thomas P. Goth
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Patent number: 5908126Abstract: A cap assembly includes a first part for mounting to a bottle and a second part coupled to the first part, and a sucking member pivotally disposed to a top of the first part. The top of the first part has two stands, a support located between the two stands and a stop extending therefrom, wherein the support has a passage defined therethrough and extending through the top. The sucking member has a sphere member rotatably supported between the two stands and is rested on a first annular flange extending from a top of the support. The second part has two clamping members extending from a bottom thereof so that when the second part is mounted to the first part, the sucking member is clamped by the clamping members and pivoted and laid on the stop.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Inventor: Wen-Pin Wang