With Integral Gripping Means (e.g., Pull Tab) Patents (Class 222/541.9)
  • Publication number: 20010054616
    Abstract: A fitment is described for use with a container such as a paperboard carton, having an operable section such as a removable disc surrounded by a pre-scored track. The fitment comprises a housing (2) secured to the container surrounding the removable disc (15). A tab (9) with a panel (10) is attached to the disc (15), and pivots with respect to the housing by means of lugs (13). To open the carton, the user grips a handle (11) pivoting the panel (10) to sever the pre-scored track (14). Further movement of the handle (11) fractures the lugs (13) allowing the complete removal of the disc (15) from the carton. The panel (10) is preferably smaller than the disc, leaving a free region (16) which can flex and/or form hinge lines during operation of the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey, Bernard Guglielmini, John Churchill
  • Patent number: 6308747
    Abstract: An ampule having flexible walls with a zone which is programmed to promulgate collapse. The ampule includes an opening that is adapted to dock with a fluid receiving device such as a syringe in air tight sealing engagement. The collapse of the ampule is engineered to occur before breaking the seal that exists between the opening of the ampule and the docking syringe luer tip to ensure sterile transfer of fluid without contamination, especially from ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Barry Farris
  • Patent number: 6260735
    Abstract: The present dual chamber sachet overcomes the problem of non-uniform dispensing when the sidewalls of the sachet are depressed. Through the use of a relatively thin intermediate divider wall, rounded corner edges at the lower end of each chamber of the sachet, tapered side edges up to the exit channel of each chamber of the sachet, and a relatively wide dispensing opening uniform dispensing can be achieved. This structure prevents the downward flow of substances in each chamber during dispensing. The substances are directed upwardly by the rounded lower corners of the sachet, the tapered upper walls and the wide dispensing opening. This relatively wide dispensing opening minimizes the back pressure caused by the substances flowing to a dispensing exit of a width less than that of the product chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Orlando Fuquen
  • Patent number: 6257461
    Abstract: Two components (2, 3) of a medium dispenser are initially injection molded from a plastics material in one part so as to form a stamp die (6) and a punching ram (7) while being interconnected only by ultra-fine joints (4, 30). The component (3) forming the ram (7) is then linearly displaced in direction (12) into the other component (2) by pressure loading. Thus the joint (4, 30) is severed analogous to shear cutting. This results in very simple production with precisely the same material quality of both components (2, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Fuchs
  • Patent number: 6247617
    Abstract: A single use container for accurately dispensing separately housed sterile compositions with minimal contact to non-sterile surfaces of the container is disclosed. Embodiments include a container having a first and second chamber within the container for housing a first and second sterile composition. Each chamber has an angled channel which defines an axis for directing the sterile composition from their respective chambers. The angled channels are directed toward each other and are so angled as to minimize contact of the escaping sterile compositions with a non-sterile surface of the container, e.g. the tip. A plurality of tear-off closures seal the angled channels to prevent the sterile compositions from escaping from their respective chambers and a tab portion is provided joining the plurality of closures. Removing the tab portion causes all of the solid closures to be removed in a single action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventors: Richard Allen Clyde, Steven Frank Simmons
  • Patent number: 6241132
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system includes a base for attachment to an associated pouch and a neck extending outwardly therefrom away from the pouch. The neck and base include a bore formed therethrough in fluid communication with the pouch interior. The neck comprises first and second portions, and the bore is closed at its outermost end by the second neck portion. The second portion is selectively removable from the first portion to open the bore and provide access to the contents of the pouch. The second portion can be at least partially separated from the first portion by selective application of bending or torsional stress or the like thereto. The application of stress results in partial or complete disconnection of the second portion from the first portion along a weakened material zone. The weakened material zone is defined by an area of reduced material thickness or by scoring or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The Testor Corporation
    Inventor: Adam P. Morrison
  • Patent number: 6237818
    Abstract: A flexible pouring spout for material containers incorporating a tamper evident ring having a nested flexible spout capable of being selectively moved between a nested position and an extended position, a cap threadedly attached to the spout, a tamper-evident ring attached to the cap by a plurality of frangible elements, and a metal ring for attaching the closure to the container. The metal ring is secured over the peripheral flange of the spout and over the tamper-evident ring, preventing the closure from being removed or the spout from being extended without detection. A flexible bail handle is attached to the cap member to facilitate extending the spout member and removing the cap. For additional tamper evidence, an internal diaphragm is used to seal off the spout until the closure is opened and the diaphragm removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Kline
  • Patent number: 6234333
    Abstract: The reclosable container (1), adapted to reduce the risk of contamination of the substance contained therein, comprises a hollow body (2) provided with a dispensing mouth (15) which can be plugged through respective detachable closure elements (4, 20, 23) which comprise plugs (6, 6b, 6c, 21, 21b, 25) which can be coupled to the mouth (15); the closure elements (4, 20, 23) are monolithic with the container (1); the plugs (6, 6b, 6c, 21, 21b, 25) are located on the closure elements (4, 20, 23) on the side thereof directed towards the mouth (15). The method comprises the formation of the closure elements (4, 20, 23) nonlithically with the container (1); during formation, the plugs (6, 6b, 6c, 21, 21b, 25) are formed on the closure elements (4, 20, 23) on the side of these elements which is directed towards the mouth (15); at the end of the formation, the plugs (6, 6b, 6c, 21, 21b, 25) are made to couple to the mouth (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignees: Lameplast S.r.l., Farmigea S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Federighi, Antonio Fontana, Giovanni Ferrari, Evro Fabbri
  • Patent number: 6223952
    Abstract: A cartridge for holding a supply of a flowable substance includes a cylindrical tube which is closed at one end by a slidable seal. An opposite end of the tube is closed by an integral end wall which is provided with a sealed nipple extending from the center thereof. The nipple is provided with an external thread. A line of weakness is formed about the tube near end wall. A flange extends radially from the outer circumferential surface of tube adjacent the line of weakness. A translucent strip is formed along the length of the tube to allow viewing of the position of the slidable seal within the tube. To use the cartridge in a grease gun, the seal is pulled out and the end wall cut off along the line of weakness. To use the cartridge in a caulking gun, the cartridge is simply dropped into the body of the caulking gun and the end of nipple cut off. To use the cartridge in a vacuum gun, the end of nipple is cut off and the nipple is screwed into the vacuum gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Fuchs Lubritech (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Woodford
  • Patent number: 6223075
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus permitting rapid and thorough hydration of an initially dry hydratable matrix element contained within an iontophoretic bioelectrode. The apparatus of the invention comprises a bioelectrode system for iontophoretic delivery of medicaments having at least one hydratable matrix element and associated removable hydration assembly. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises two hydratable matrix elements each having an associated removable hydration assembly and each being associated with an electrical current distribution element. The removable hydration assembly includes an initially sealed liquid-storage component which maintains the desired hydrating liquid in isolation from the hydratable matrix element until such time as hydration is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Iomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon E. Beck, Lindsay B. Lloyd, Tomasz J. Petelenz
  • Patent number: 6216905
    Abstract: A closure for a container and a method of producing the same is set forth. The closure is a single integrally-molded spout, cap, hinge assembly joining the spout and the cap, and a tamper evident structure. 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. Still further, the closure may have an orienting peg for properly orienting the closure on a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventors: Jens Mogard, Karl-Erik Lundh, Gote Elof
  • Patent number: 6179147
    Abstract: A closure for a package that is adapted for mounting to a surface of the package includes a mounting flange having substantially planar upper and lower surfaces that define a thickness and define a flange plane. A spout extends from the upper surface of the flange and has an inner wall defining a dispensing opening. A membrane has a central portion and a circumferential edge region and is formed in the spout so as to extend to the inner wall to define a spout seal. The membrane is severable from the spout at the edge region. The edge region is selectively thinned and has a pair of first thickness regions and a pair of second thickness regions interposed between the first thickness regions. The second thickness regions have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the first thickness regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventors: Jens Mogard, Bengt Bengtsson, Kenneth Nortman