Nonmetallic Patents (Class 222/107)
  • Patent number: 6127011
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus wherein a container is formed, decorated by rotating the container and then the base of the contianer is cut off for a plastic tube, a container is formed with a diametral lug on the base to facilitate rotating the container during decorating. In another form, opposed diametral surfaces are provided on the lower end of the container adjacent the base. In another form, the diametral surfaces are arcuate. In another form, the lower end of the container includes a frustoconical surface. In another form, circumferentially spaced axial grooves are provided in the frustoconical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastics Products Inc.
    Inventors: Roger P. Smith, Thomas J. Krall, Jeffery S. Lugar, Michael D. Norton
  • Patent number: 6124008
    Abstract: A package having improved resistance to stress-cracking due to chemical attack is provided having a wall made of a polymer blend containing:a) a first ethylene/C.sub.4 to C.sub.5 olefin copolymer andb) a second ethylene/C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 olefin copolymer,wherein the package is obtained by injection-molding the blend in a suitable mold, preferably give a flexible tube, and a particular thermoplastic blend for producing the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Patrice Barre
  • Patent number: 6112752
    Abstract: A liquid container has an automatic opening and closing mechanism preventing entry of air into the container, and is convenient for portable use. The liquid container comprises an upper shell and a lower bonded along their outer circumferential ends to define a flat liquid pool between them. At least one of the upper and lower shells is a thin skin member made of a flexible material to be deformable when depressed. The upper shell has formed a through hole communicating with the liquid pool, and a flexible film is bonded onto the upper shell to form the automatic opening and closing mechanism composed of a duct communicating with the through hole and an outlet communicating with the duct between the flexible film and the upper shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Kamaya Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomio Tahara
  • Patent number: 6113885
    Abstract: A dentifrice packaged in a polyolefin container, the dentifrice having improved stability against flavor loss by adsorption into the polyolefin substrate, the dentifrice containing at least about 30% by weight sorbitol on a neat basis as the sole liquid humectant and no more than about 23% by weight water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Colgate Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Dennis T. Pipes, Edward S. Hodgetts, Nicholas J. Sparacio
  • Patent number: 6089404
    Abstract: The tube (1) has a metallic casing (2) and a label (3) on the casing. In order to improve the seal of the tube at the fold (6) the label (3) extends beyond the edge region (5) at the end of the tube (1) opposite to the cap (4) to form two adjacent label edge portions (10) and a weld seam or glue seam (9) is provided between the adjacent label edge portions (10) at the fold (6). The weld or glue seam (9) can seal the rear edge (7) of the casing (2) or only prevent an unfolding or release of the fold (6) at the edge region (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Wella Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gernot Mecks
  • Patent number: 6085942
    Abstract: A container thermoformed from a relatively thin flat plastic film comprising an upright standing hollow containment formation having an upper flat rim to which a thin cover member is sealingly attached in a sealing pattern. The sealing rim encompassing the containment formation with at least a portion of the sealing rim extending outwardly from the hollow containment formation an amount adequate to permit it to function as a tab. The extending tab portion has a fault line on its underside traversing the tab at a right angle to a centerline extending outwardly from the hollow containment formation which when the tab portion is upwardly bent causes the tab to rupture at the fault line. The rupturing causes the outer tab portion to break away from the remaining tab portion while remaining sealed to the thin cover member which is also upwardly bent to create an outlet passage for flowable material between the remaining tab portion and the thin cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Sanford Redmond
  • Patent number: 6082584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a package having a flexible wall and containing liquid products. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the package and a coupling therefor. A perforation means (6) for making a hole in the flexible wall (3) is provided not to make a hole in said wall when an inner and an outer coupling device (4, 5) are interconnected but make a hole (7) in the flexible wall (3) after said interconnection of the inner and outer coupling devices (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Asept International AB
    Inventor: Leif Einar Stern
  • Patent number: 6083450
    Abstract: A multilayer container including an outer relatively rigid plastic layer having a body portion, a finish defining an opening and a base having an atmospheric vent opening therethrough. The container includes an inner flexible plastic layer of relative thin flexible material throughout which does not adhere to the outer plastic layer. The inner flexible layer has a closed bottom portion engaging the inner surface of the finish of the outer plastic layer and a radially extending flange portion of the inner layer overlying the finish of the outer layer. The outer layer preferably comprises an olefin and the inner layer preferably comprises amorphous nylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Safian
  • Patent number: 6079594
    Abstract: A dispensing package for fluid products and the like comprises a container shaped to receive and retain a fluid product therein, and includes a discharge aperture therethrough. A self-sealing closure includes a marginal flange portion, and a head portion with an orifice which opens and closes in response to the application of a predetermined discharge pressure. The flange portion of the closure is positioned about and encloses the discharge aperture, and is constructed from a thermoplastic material, which is heat fused to the container to form a secure interconnection and fluid seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Brown, Stuart R. Brown, John M. Hess, III, Timothy R. Socier
  • Patent number: 6065644
    Abstract: A squeezeable dispensing container for paste-like substances comprising, a closed tube having flexible side-walls and a selectively closeable dispensing aperture, a plurality of paste containing capsule members disposed in serially connected chains within the container, each capsule having an open base end and a convex end, and each having a check valve in the vertex of the convex end thereof that is openable and closable as a function of lateral pressure exerted on the capsule. Lateral pressure on the container and the capsules acts to extrude paste out of one capsule and into the next capsule in the chain. The check valves in each of the capsules prevents the paste from regressing in the container, permitting only the forward movement of the paste. toward the container's aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Byron B. Shipp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6056158
    Abstract: A system for the preservation, transportation and dispensing of dyes provides for a combination of a hollow reservoir having at least one deformable wall so that its internal volume can vary from a maximum to a minimum substantially close to zero, and an opening for the connection of the reservoir to a dye-dispensing circuit; the reservoir is airtight so that its internal volume corresponds to the volume of dye contained therein in essentially any condition of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: COROB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Edoardo Rossetti, Umberto Marazzi
  • Patent number: 6026989
    Abstract: A container for dispensing two flowable products in desired proportions includes a multichamber squeeze tube with a pair of nested tubes integrally molded with an end wall as a single piece. Apertures in the end wall provide dispensing openings for a first chamber inside the inner tube, and for a second chamber between the two tubes. Preferably, the two tubes have out of round cross-sections, generally ellipsoidal in configuration, and the outer tube has a cylindrical neck with a shoulder joining it to the out of round main section. The out of round inner tube extends up into the neck of the outer tube to the end wall and is integrally molded along a major axis to the shoulder of the outer tube. The single piece, two chamber squeeze tube is molded in a straight draw mold with a split mold piece only required to release external threads formed on the neck. A cap with internal threads screws onto the threaded neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: RXI Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Michael Richmond
  • Patent number: 6012610
    Abstract: A device for emptying a film tube 15 containing a pasty substance comprises a cap structure 11 including a transverse wall 12 supporting the front of the tube, a cylindrical flange 13 formed on the wall for receiving the front end of the tube, and a dispensing pipe 17. The pipe 17 extends from a recess 16 formed in the wall 12 and having an at least partially circular-cylindrical shape, with a spike 18 being integrally formed at the center of the recess and extending parallel to the axis of the tube. The tip 19 of the spike is retracted from the plane of the wall 12. When dispensing pressure is exerted on the tube 15, the portion of the tube film overlying the recess 16 will bulge into the recess, until its central part is scratched by the tip 19 of the spike and thus caused to burst. The content of the tube can then flow into the recess 16 surrounding the spike 18 and out through the pipe 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Thera Patent GmbH & Co. KG Gesellschaft fur Industrielle Schutzrechte
    Inventors: Helmut Pauser, Gerd Brandhorst, Klaus Hammen, Wolf-Dietrich Herold
  • Patent number: 6007884
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing flexible plastic containers by two die molds, in the connecting seam of which at least one insert for filling and/or emptying the container is introduced, comprising press faces running perpendicular to the wall of the container, the angle of the press faces is greater than 90.degree., preferable nearly 180.degree. at each locus of connection to the die molds, with regard to the connecting seam of the two die molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Cornelius Nittel
  • Patent number: 6003730
    Abstract: A hand holdable manually dispensing mastic container is made from two sheets of transparent plastics material which are welded together at a seam around the periphery thereof. The container is formed to have a dispensing edge and a filling end which are parallel to one another. The container has a generally elongate shape which diverges from the dispensing edge to a widest dimension, and parallel to the dispensing edge, and then converges to the filling end. Thus, two trapezoidal portions are formed. The volume of the portion closest to dispensing edge is smaller than the volume of the portion closest to the filling end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventors: Colin Michael David, Bernard Jacques David
  • Patent number: 5996845
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-closing liquid dispensing package comprising a liquid container and a self-closing flat channel valve in liquid communication with liquid container, wherein the liquid container comprises a reservoir portion for containing liquid. The reservoir portion is made of a thermoformed thermoplastic material. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the self-closing flat channel valve is in liquid communication with the container via a connection portion wherein the connection portion comprises a stiffening crease. The package of the present invention is useful for multiple use of various liquid products having a wide range of viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: John G. Chan
  • Patent number: 5975359
    Abstract: A source of liquid soap for washbasins and the like is provided by a flexible, collapsible bag filled with liquid soap. A hollow open tipped needle is penetrably inserted through the material of the bag, which penetration develops a seal about the needle. The needle is connected through a conduit to a dispenser for the soap. A source of vacuum in communication with the conduit, the force of gravity or a force externally imposed upon the bag to compress it, actuates a flow of soap from the bag through the needle for discharge from the dispenser. As liquid soap is evacuated from the bag, the bag collapses. Upon depletion of the soap, the needle is withdrawn and inserted into a replacement bag of soap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing CY, S.A.
    Inventor: Karel Carl Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 5967368
    Abstract: A connecting device for connecting a container (1) consisting of a sealed flexible bag (3) to an external duct (2) that includes a tube (4) with a connecting opening (5). A rigid tubular coupling (6) is loosely arranged within the flexible container (1) and comprises a frusto-conical projection (7) sized in such a way that it may be force-fitted into the opening (5). A user grasps the coupling (6) and places it against the inner surface of the bag (3) while placing the opening (5) of the external duct (2) against the outer surface of the bag (3), then axially presses on the coupling (6) so that it perforates the bag (3) and sealingly engages the opening (5). The fluid in the container (1) can then flow through the coupling (6) into the external duct (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Bernard Guillermier
  • Patent number: 5962096
    Abstract: A flexible plastic tube and a method of forming a flexible plastic tube includes injection molding a finish having an opening, extruding a tube integrally with the finish by relevant movement of the finish with respect to an extruder, moving the finish axially away from the extruder while continuing continuously extruding the tube, closing a blow mold about the extruded tube, blowing the tube into an integral container body having a closed bottom, opening the molds to provide an integral flexible tube with a finish thereon. Thereafter the method includes decorating the body with indicia, cutting the closed end of the tube leaving an open-ended tube of the end opposite the finish, and applying a closure to the finish. Subsequently, the tube is filled through the open end and the open end is closed. The decorating includes rotating the tube about the longitudinal axis of the tube while engaging the finish and bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Roger P. Smith, Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5960993
    Abstract: A container for fluidal materials, including a bag member made of a flexible film material originally constructed in a flattened shape with some foldings, a port member mounted to the bag member at its longitudinal end, and a plate member mounted over the bag member as originally constructed in a flattened annular sheet member made of a relatively stiff and elastic sheet material such as a cardboard, wherein the plate member is expanded into a tubular shape when the bag member is charged with a fluidal material but is readily flattened for disposal after the fluidal material has been discharged from the bag member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Mitsui, Toru Takemura, Takahiro Wakayama
  • Patent number: 5931346
    Abstract: The decorating bag, when empty and flattened into a generally triangular shape, has the lower discharge portion thereof folded to overlie the upper filling portion thereof with the extended corner sections of the filling portion folded to overlie the folded lower portion and engage each other with releasable fasteners to secure the bag in a folded and stored configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Nele Wallays
  • Patent number: 5931345
    Abstract: A dispenser system having a substantially large pouch (20) for holding a substantially large amount of viscous food product for dispensing from a dispenser (122). The pouch is formed so as to include a tear strip (38) to open a funnel-shaped, centrally disposed outlet spout (24) and to be sealingly held in the dispenser. The pouch may include a pair of alignment/holding openings (32, 34) formed on either side of the outlet spout for aligning the pouch in a preferred position in the dispenser, so that a piston-type extruding member (136) may pressurize and dispense predetermined size shots of viscous food product therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Winpak Lane, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Lane, Jr., Steven D. Davis
  • Patent number: 5918783
    Abstract: A thermoplastic squeeze tube has a self-sealing orifice where a one-way valve member is secured in the tube neck and an exposed portion thereof enclosed and protected by a frangible closure member integral with the neck portion. A pocket in the bottom wall of the frangible closure member closely encloses the one-way valve member to seal the same. A replacement cup-shaped closure member may be provided to reseal the tube after removal of the frangible closure member, which may have downwardly depending sealing protrusions which contain the upper portion of the exposed section of the one-way valve member to reseal the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Courtaulds Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Kieras, Fred M. Ekstrom
  • Patent number: 5913449
    Abstract: A shoulder piece (31) for assembly to a flexible tube (15) to form a container (40) and which is made from a composition containing high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene. The shoulder piece (31) has an annular lip (35) on its external surface (37) for positioning proximate an end (46) of a respective tube (15) to be assembled to the shoulder piece 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Courtaulds Packaging Limited
    Inventors: Mark Graham Branch, Alan Andrew Baxter
  • Patent number: 5911340
    Abstract: A spout assembly comprises a spout (10) and a cap (20). The spout has a cylindrical outer tube (13) to be placed outside a package (15) and a base (12) to be bonded to the inner surface of the package (15). The cap (20) is separably connected to an extremity of the cylindrical outer tube (13) coaxially with the cylindrical outer tube (13) in a position in which the cap (20) is pushed into the cylindrical outer tube (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uematsu
  • Patent number: 5908124
    Abstract: A plastic tube with an integral finish and a twist off tab are blow molded. The twist off tab is connected to the finish of the tube by an annular groove forming a line of weakness. The tab is formed by the closing of mold halves about an extruded parison to form a flat twist off tab connected by a thin membrane to the exterior of the finish. The tab is then blow molded to form the tube. After the mold halves are opened, the twist-off tab is trimmed to provide the finished tube. The tab is formed by a conventional blow molding process without the need of a secondary operation. A plurality of blow molded corrugations are provided between annular blow molded ribs on the finish and provide added strength to the finish to facilitate removal of the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Christian W. Klauke, Rolf C. Myers, Luz Rios
  • Patent number: 5884811
    Abstract: A collapsible dispensing tube providing a flexible walled envelope portion having a dispensing nozzle selectively sealed with a threaded cap and a sealed base. Interlocking fasteners are formed on the inner surface of the flexible wall in opposed registry with each other at regular spaced intervals from the sealed base of the flexible wall to the dispensing nozzle. The interlocking fasteners attach the opposed inner surfaces of the flexible wall when they squeezed together from the base toward the dispensing nozzle to sequentially form transverse closure bands across the envelope portion of the tube. This limits the rearward displacement of the material in the tube that occur when the tube is squeezed in its middle and therefore eliminates the need to roll up the envelope portion of the tube to dispense the material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Mark R. Bunchman
  • Patent number: 5885676
    Abstract: A plastic tube and a method and apparatus for forming it in which a strip of relatively thin plastic sheet material is cut from a roll of the material and wound around a mandrel. Overlapping ends of the strip are sealed to form the tube. The edge of the strip is inwardly bent to form an inwardly extending lip. When used in the manufacture of a capacitor, the tube is placed in a can on top of the disc of insulating material and a capacitor roll is placed in the tube. The edge of the sheet material can be pre-creased so that when folded inwardly, darts of the material form the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Magnetek, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Lobo, Raymond H. Vanwagener
  • Patent number: 5873492
    Abstract: A pliable dispensing bag containing a flowable material includes an internal rigid adapter plate having an offset or asymmetric integral nozzle through which the flowable material may be extruded. The deformable material of the bag is clamped around a collar provided at the base of the nozzle so as to form a permanent first leakproof seal. Additional material from the foil bag is gathered at the top of a cap fitted over the nozzle and clamped against the top of the cap to form a removable or temporary second seal and to further hold the cap in place on the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Coltene/Whaledent, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5871119
    Abstract: An ink dispensing container for storage, transport and dispensing of printing ink. The ink dispensing container includes a flexible container body having a lid removably mounted at one end for sealing the container body. Ink is dispensed from the container body by applying pressure to the sides of the container body so as to urge the ink out of the container body. Thereafter, the container body can be resealed by reapplying the lid thereto, while continuing the exert pressure on the side wall of the container body so as to evacuate substantially all the air therefrom prior to completely resealing the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Richard E. Blackinton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5865345
    Abstract: A container, for dispensing two substances simultaneously, that includes a neck portion having two orifices therein, a shoulder portion connected to the neck portion, and an elongated body portion connected to the shoulder portion, the body portion including two adjacent chambers sharing a common wall wherein each chamber is in fluid communication with an orifice in the neck portion, and wherein the two chambers are formed from different materials. The size and shape of the orifices can be varied to independently adjust the rate of dispensation of each of the two substances, or to compensate for variances in viscosity between the substances. The sizes of the two chambers can be varied independently from one another. Further, the two chambers can extend beyond the width of the common wall, to promote even and predictable deformation of the chambers when pressure is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lawson Mardon Wheaton Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Cistone, Douglas Lynch
  • Patent number: 5845812
    Abstract: A paint pouch fitting for a paint dispensing system comprising a piston slidable within a housing. A passage in the housing includes an inlet communicating with a paint pouch, and an outlet. The passage also includes a piercable membrane positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The piston includes a blade for piercing the membrane. The positioning of the piston within the passage defines two working positions allowing for four operational modes of shipping, piercing, dispensing, and storing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: The Testor Corporation
    Inventor: Adam P. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5839609
    Abstract: The thermoformed package has a positive sealing ridge valve so that portions of the thermoformed package can be dispensed at different times. There is a relatively thick, shaped bottom sheet and a relatively thin, substantially planar, top sheet. The top sheet is bonded to the shaped bottom sheet around the perimeter of the shaped bottom sheet. At one end of the shaped bottom sheet there is a narrowed region with at least two recesses and a ridge separating the recessed areas. The ridge extends to or above the top surface of the shaped bottom sheet. The top sheet and the ridge cooperate to form a ridge valve to seal the body portion of the thermoformed package from a dispensing opening until a positive force is applied to the body portion. The thermoformed package is opened by the removal of a tab located beyond the recesses and ridge. The recesses and ridge in the shaped bottom sheet and the relatively thin top sheet form an effective sealing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Issac Zakensberg
  • Patent number: 5839608
    Abstract: A fluid-tight container adapted to contain a fluid, volatile solid, or absorbent for a fluid, in which at least a portion of the container includes a material which, when sufficiently stretched, develops sufficient porosity to allow passage of the fluid through the material. In some embodiments, the material may be a film. For example, the film may be a filled film. As another example, the film may be an elastic film, such as a hard-elastic film. In other embodiments, the material may be a laminate. Components of the laminate may be a film or a nonwoven web, in which case the film may be a filled film or an elastic film, such as a hard-elastic film. Desirably, the laminate will include a film and a nonwoven web. The fluid-tight container may include a fluid-absorbing solid, such as silica gel or activated carbon for absorbing moisture or odors. In such case, the movement of fluid through the material is into the container. Alternatively, the fluid-tight container may include a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Gunilla Elsa Gillberg-LaForce
  • Patent number: 5833119
    Abstract: A container comprises a tubular body having a one end closed by an end member provided with a discharge opening receiving a cap and the other end being closed by a flattened second end. The end member is subdivided into a first portion containing the projection having the discharge opening and a second portion more pliable than the first portion so that the second portion can be collapsed into the first portion to applied pressure on the remaining contents in the end member during emptying the contents of the tube. Preferably, the tubular body has a pair of weakened zones extending the longitudinal length from adjacent the flat end member flattened into the end member to subdivide the body into two elongated portions which are aligned with the first and second portions of the end member. The container is particularly useful in a dispenser having a flattening member which progressively flattens the container to cause discharging of the contents thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Liblan & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Ivo Kolacek
  • Patent number: 5826751
    Abstract: A dispenser comprises an upper portion having an annular member depending therefrom and a bottom portion having a base and an upright post connected to the base. It also includes a flexible bag capable of containing fluid suspended from the upper portion and located inside the annular member. The flexible bag has a nozzle connected to it such that the flexible bag is closed except at the nozzle. The nozzle has a discharge orifice in fluid communication with the flexible bag. The upper portion telescopingly engages the bottom portion such that the upright post is located substantially aligned with the flexible bag. The upright post is sized to cause the flexible bag to invert when the upper portion and the bottom portion are pressed together. An openable closure closes the discharge orifice so that a fluid-containing flexible bag may be easily handled for replacement of the emptied flexible bag in the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Stahley, Dana P. Gruenbacher
  • Patent number: 5813572
    Abstract: A dispenser particularly useful for dispensing toothpaste includes a tubular body closed at one end and having an opening for receiving the neck portion of a toothpaste tube extending therefrom, the dispenser includes an arrangement for squeezing the contents of the tube out the discharge opening including a piston movable in an axial direction of the tubular body. The arrangement includes the piston having a pair of oppositely extending projections that extend through parallel extending slots in the tubular body and are engaged in an internal threaded track of a sleeve received on the tubular body so that rotation of the sleeve will cause the piston to move along the slots and squeeze the contents of the tube towards the discharge opening of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Liblan & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Ivo Kolacek
  • Patent number: 5806726
    Abstract: A water dispenser for bicyclists includes a container having a first slot at an upper side thereof, an outlet close to the upper side, an inlet close to a lower side thereof and provided with a cover, a valve arranged at the lower side, two inclined seams extending from respective vertical sides thereof to the valve, and two second slots at respective bottom corners thereof, a tube provided with a threaded connector at both ends and adapted to threadedly engage with the outlet at an end, and a nipple threadedly engaged with another end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Kuo-Ping Ho
  • Patent number: 5797518
    Abstract: A thermoplastic squeeze tube has a tubular member and attached rotatable closure cap, the tubular member closed by a diaphragm having a closure plug, at least one dispensing aperture, and plurality of ramps, and the closure cap having a top wall with a central dispensing orifice and plurality of closure cap ramps. On rotation of the closure cap, the closure cap ramps ride along the diaphragm ramps to force the diaphragm away from the cap top wall and open a flow path between the closure plug and top wall. Preferably a spout is provided on the closure cap so that the tube contents may be radially discharged and stop members are provided to limit rotation of the closure cap on the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Courtaulds Packaging
    Inventor: Ronald E. Kieras
  • Patent number: 5791521
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing bag includes a bag body portion having a surface wall and a back wall formed of a flexible material having high gas barrier properties, and an elongated spout portion in which the surface wall and said back wall are projected in an elongated manner from a lower portion of the bag body portion. A flowpassage division area has the surface wall and the back wall welded integrally to divide a flowpassage toward the lower portion of the bag body portion. The flow passage division area is formed at a position close to the lower portion from the center of the bag body portion. The flowpassage division area is provided upwardly thereof with a pressure regulating area in which the surface wall and the back wall are welded. The flowpassage division area is formed in the central portion with a central flowpassage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Tokan Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masuo Kitamura, Tetsuo Fukuoka, Kenji Ozawa, Kunio Yamada, Hajime Yamada
  • Patent number: 5791519
    Abstract: A source of liquid soap for washbasins and the like is provided by a flexible, collapsible bag filled with liquid soap. A hollow needle is penetrably inserted through the material of the bag, which penetration develops a seal about the needle. The needle is connected through a conduit to a dispenser for the soap. A source of vacuum in communication with the conduit, the force of gravity or a force externally imposed upon the bag to compress it, actuates a flow of soap from the bag through the needle for discharge from the dispenser. As liquid soap is evacuated from the bag, the bag collapses. Upon depletion of the soap, the needle is withdrawn and inserted into a replacement bag of soap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing CY, S.A.
    Inventor: Karel Carl Van Marcke
  • Patent number: 5775386
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for filling a plural chamber container, such as a container, with plural flowable materials. The container might be a two-compartment dentifrice container or a two-compartment adhesive container, for example. The container has internal partitioning dividing it into plural chambers, and the partitioning must be properly positioned to permit supply nozzles to enter the respective chambers. In one embodiment, the partitioning is positioned by probes which are inserted into the chamber, following which relative rotation between the container and the probes causes the probes to position the partitioning. In a second embodiment, air nozzles emit air jets to position the partition. In another embodiment, an electrostatic charge is induced on the container sidewall and on the partition, and the like charges cause the sidewall and the partition to repel each other, positioning the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Patrick Andre Connan
  • Patent number: 5759501
    Abstract: A container for institutional detergents, preferably tablets, includes a rigid large screened base and a flexible plastic film sidewall heat bonded to the peripheral surface of the base. The container is filled, preferably from its top portion, with tableted detergent and closed with a single heat seal along the top surface of the wall of the container. The screen surface is then closed with a removable, peel-off seal or removable cap. The upper portion of the container will include a handle which makes it easy to transport the container and place it into a dispenser for use. In use, a water nozzle will spray upwards onto the surface of the screen base through the holes in the screen, dissolving detergent and allowing the solution to pass downwardly to a drain, which directs it to a ware washing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Diversey Lever, Inc.
    Inventors: James Livingston, Donald Wright, Tiziano J. Bellon, Kenneth James Roach
  • Patent number: 5746352
    Abstract: A first embodiment of a package including superimposed flexible opaque and transparent sides and a circumferential peripheral seal determining an interior sealed enclosure for storing a liquid material includes two contiguous depending seals separated by a preformed slot dividing the enclosure bilaterally into a storage reservoir and a dispensing channel in fluid communication. The dispensing channel includes a closed lower end contiguous to a notch in the peripheral seal. Tearing the package at the notch results in collaterally tearing open the channel lower end and a contiguous portion of the peripheral seal, thereby enabling removal of package contents. Use of a ruled scale imprinted on the opaque side proximate to the dispensing channel and viewing through the transparent side the disposition of material in the channel enable the selection of a measured quantity of material to be expelled from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Arthur P. Corella
  • Patent number: 5743435
    Abstract: A collapsible bag for use in containing and dispensing a liquid includes a bladder layer and an outer layer. The bladder layer includes a pair of inner opposed panel sections sealed together to provide an enclosed region. The inner panel sections have an inner surface facing the enclosed region and a plurality of ribs formed thereon, and one of the inner panel sections has a first product-dispensing hole therethrough. The outer layer includes a pair of outer opposed panel sections covering the bladder layer and one of the outer panel sections includes a second product-dispensing hole therethrough aligned with the first product-dispensing hole. A spout is attached to the outer layer and covers the first and second product-dispensing holes to provide access to the enclosed region. The bag may be used in a box to dispense liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • Patent number: 5731021
    Abstract: A collapsible canteen formed by a collapsible carton having nested therein a collapsible pouch whose open mouth is in alignment with a neck projecting from the carton. The collapsible canteen which has a charge of powder deposited in the pouch is adapted to produce, in situ, a beverage when a hot or cold liquid is poured through the neck of the canteen into the pouch to dissolve the powder the nature of which determines that of the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5699936
    Abstract: A liquid container/dispenser including a container body defining a flexible wall for storing a liquid and a tube member having a first end portion placed outside the container body and a second closed end portion placed inside the container body. The tube member has an opening device provided in the second closed end portion of the tube member inside the container body. The second closed end portion can be broken off from the rest of the tube member inside the container body by a force applied through the wall of the container body. The wall of the container body is preferably made from a flexible material so that the wall can be flexibly brought into contact with the tube member inside the container. The liquid container with the novel dispensing system assures the sealed storage of liquid in the container and yet facilitates clean, quick and safe dispensing of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Sercomp Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5690253
    Abstract: A flexible and collapsible bulk bag having an upright orientation in use with top and bottom end access openings to the exterior of the bag through which a flexible and collapsible liner is received in the bag, the liner also having top and bottom access openings through which the bulk contents are respectively entered and discharged. When the bag is expanded and filled it has a pair of spaced apart and generally conical ends formed by four triangular portions interconnected by four generally rectangular side walls, with the ends convergently tapering toward their associated access opening. The bag when empty can be collapsed into a compact, flat configuration having a pair of overlying front and rear panels with a pair of folded gusseted side panels received therebetween. Alternatively the liner has a rigid discharge outlet spout and a protective exterior flap spans beneath the spout outlet closure to serve as an openable, flexible protective barrier for the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Custom Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee LaFleur
  • Patent number: 5678732
    Abstract: A process for making a container of heat-sealable plasticized sheet material, provided with a pouring spout and formed of a pair of facing walls having two side edges connected to each other by side walls folded to create side bellows. The process comprises the steps of sealing the upper edges of the facing walls so as to define an opening, of providing a small tube of a rigid material fitted with a flange that extend wider than the opening and that defines the spout and a thin cane, of inserting the thin cane into the container through the opening till the flange meets the border of the upper sealed edges, of folding said flange on the outer faces of the facing walls to cover the edges, and of tight sealing the flange to the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Belloli Gianpaolo
  • Patent number: 5671871
    Abstract: An insert for a collapsible container having an opening. The insert includes a first fluid passage defining member having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section. This member extends from the opening inwardly of the container and is in fluid communication with the opening. The insert also includes a second fluid passage defining member having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section. The second member extends transversely from the first member and is in fluid communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: David S. Smith (Packaging) Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Robert Hoare