Pivoted Patents (Class 222/556)
  • Patent number: 7097078
    Abstract: A dispensing cap and a container having a dispensing cap are provided in which the dispensing cap includes first and second parts designed for mounting onto a container. The dispensing cap includes: (a) a first part fitted with an interior output orifice suitable for allowing selective communication with the container interior; and (b) a second part through a conduit extends and which opens at a dispensing outlet. The second part is arranged so that it can rotate on axis Y, which is aligned obliquely to an axis X of the container, in such a way as to move from a closed position at which the second part will seal off the interior output orifice to a dispensing position in which the interior output orifice will communicate with the dispensing outlet by way of the conduit. In addition, the dispensing cap is configured in such a way as to activate a dispensing member provided on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Marcel Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7051905
    Abstract: A closure and container package are provided in which the closure has an elongated orifice. A spout cover on an underside surface of the cap portion of the closure receives a spout portion on a body portion of the closure about the orifice. A snap hinge couples the cap and body. An interior surface of the spout cover forms a sealing contact with an exterior surface of the spout to form an outside seal that does not become contaminated upon dispensing of the contents of the container. An annular seal extending downwardly from a base portion of the closure seals the head-space within the closure to present vapor infiltration and condensation in the head-space. A mold for forming the closure is also disclosed. The spout may be formed such that its sidewalls outwardly bulge upon molding, but upon cooling become substantially parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Valentin Hierzer
  • Patent number: 7048158
    Abstract: A closure and container package are provided in which the closure has an elongated orifice. A spout cover disposed on an underside surface of the cap portion of the closure receives a spout portion disposed about the orifice. A spud urges the spout into contact with the spout cover to enhance contact therebetween. A snap hinge couples the cap with the closure body. The spout cover forms a sealing contact with an exterior surface of the spout to form an outside seal that does not become contaminated upon dispensing of the contents of the container. The spout cover includes a protrusion or bead on an inner surface that cooperates with a bead on the spout exterior surface to lock the cap in its fully closed position. An annular seal extending downwardly from a portion of the closure seals the closure head-space to present vapor infiltration and condensation therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Valentin Hierzer
  • Patent number: 7044317
    Abstract: A tamper-evident dispensing closure system is provided for a container. The system has a body for extending from the container at the container opening. The body defines a dispensing orifice, a channel, and a retention member projecting over a portion of the channel. The system includes a lid for being moved between a closed position and an open position. An anchor member is provided for being received in the channel and has an engaging portion for engaging the retention member when the anchor member is received in the channel. At least one frangible web initially connects the anchor member with the lid so that the frangible web breaks when the lid is initially lifted from the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly A. Smith, Walter W. Peterson, Joseph W. Staniszewski
  • Patent number: 7040499
    Abstract: Capped containers for use on a residence counter have caps which swingably connect the cap to the container for closure. If the contents of the container is a thin or watery liquid the ordinary closure may not prevent leakage during vibration, travelling or pressure. There is here provided a container with an additional closure formed when a sleeve is arranged to move to an extended position and then to thread to both the cap and the container to provide a fluid tight connection to each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Y. Reif
  • Patent number: 7028863
    Abstract: A container closure apparatus having a base for attachment to the container. The base has an opening for passing the contents of the container. A lever is hinged to the base, such that an upward force on a rearward portion of the lever causes a frontward portion of the lever to depress the container material creating an opening directly beneath the opening in the base. A portion of the lever is adapted to seal the opening in the base, and thus the container, when the lever is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: SIG Combibloc, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7007830
    Abstract: A closure for a container includes a base with at least one opening for dispensing a material from the container and a cover coupled atop the base. The cover includes at least one flap that is movable between an open position for dispensing the material and a closed position for covering the opening. At least one projection extends from the flap to releasably retain the flap in the closed position. A tab extends from the projection. A guide surface is provided on the tab and is configured to contact an edge of the opening when the flap is moved toward the closed position and is configured to create a wedging interaction with the edge of the opening when the flap is moved further toward the closed position. The flap is retained in the closed position by the wedging interaction of the tab and the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Gateway Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence M. Parve, William C. Vogel
  • Patent number: 7006892
    Abstract: A dispenser and a control method thereof, and a refrigerator using the same. A method of controlling a dispenser having a driving part discharging objects, and a switching part controlling the driving part to operate and stop, including sensing whether the switching part is turned on or off; and controlling the driving part to operate after a lapse of a predetermined delay time since the switching part is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong-wook Jeong
  • Patent number: 6983861
    Abstract: A spout and opener includes an opener portion with a sharp tip for opening a pack. The opener portion gets thicker and thicker from the sharp tip in order to fit into the pack tighter and tighter. The spout receives liquid from the pack. The spout portion directs the liquid to the exterior of the pack from the opener portion. The stop extends between the spout portion and the opener portion for avoiding insertion of the whole spout and opener into the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Aidox Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Fu Lin, Chi-Yang Liao, Gino Lu
  • Patent number: 6981607
    Abstract: A container cap assembly comprises a one-piece integrally molded annular cap body hinged to a one-piece integrally molded lid. The cap body has a lower section with internal female threads for cooperation with matching male threads on a container and an annular upwardly extending flange. The lid has a downwardly extending flange. The flanges have interlocking sealing surfaces which extend outwardly at an acute angle to the vertical so that the lid flange will snap over the cap body flange in the closing mode and retain the lid in a closed and sealed position relative to the cap body until the lid is forced upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Snapware Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Lown, Todd S. Ray
  • Patent number: 6976607
    Abstract: A cap comprising an upper part (2) having a dispensing orifice (10), a skirt (3) which depends from the upper part (2), a lid (15) connected to the upper part by a hinge (16) so as to be movable between open and closed positions of the orifice (10); tamper-evident band (25) joined to the upper part (2) by frangible straps (30, 32) each having a zone of least resistance for rupture, and which defines a hooking edge (26) in the closed position for receiving a hook (27) carried by the lid (15). The lid includes means (35) for retaining the band (25) in order to hold it against the lid (15) in the closed position and to prevent manipulation of the band to open the lid without rupture of the straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Claude Benoit-Gonin, Didier Bazin
  • Patent number: 6971547
    Abstract: A disc top dispensing closure which includes a body having an opening and an actuator having a channel mounted to the closure body. The actuator is pivotable about a pivot axis between an open position, wherein the channel and the opening of the body form a continuous fluid path, and a closed position, wherein the channel and the opening of the body do not form a continuous fluid path. The actuator is also rotatable between a locked position, wherein the actuator is not movable between the open and the closed position, and an unlocked position, wherein the actuator is movable between the open and the closed position. The pivot axis is parallel to but offset from a plane in which the longitudinal axis of the closure exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Englert, Kirstin Huesmann, Donald Kerr
  • Patent number: 6948643
    Abstract: A closure and container package includes a container having a finish with a mouth opening through which product is both filled into and dispensed from the container. A closure includes a base mounted on the finish and having an opening aligned with the mouth opening of the container finish. A lid is connected to the closure base by an integrally molded hinge to pivot between an open position in which the lid is spaced from the opening in the base and a closed position in which the lid is adjacent to the base. The lid includes facility for engaging either the mouth opening of the container or the opening in the closure base to close such openings in the closed position of the lid. In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, a fitment is removably carried by the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Lohrman
  • Patent number: 6935543
    Abstract: An improved dispensing closure system for dispensing a product from a container includes an elongate or oblong dispensing orifice for dispensing a ribbon of product. One form of the dispensing closure system also includes a spout having a dispensing orifice that is oriented at an angle relative to the closure deck and relative to the flow direction of product from the orifice. The closure provides for the dispensing of product in a clean and controlled manner without mess. One form of the closure system also incorporates conical geometries in transition surfaces extending from the container opening to the dispensing orifice. The conical geometries of the transition surfaces provides for a smooth transition of product flow from the container opening to the dispensing orifice, while minimizing the volume defined by the closure system spout and thereby providing increased “suck-back” and an abrupt “cut-off” of product compared to prior art devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan DeGroot, Cori M. Blomdahl, David S. Pozgay
  • Patent number: 6932249
    Abstract: A toggle-action dispensing closure according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base having a deck with a dispensing opening, a recess adjacent to the deck and a toggle lid pivotally carried on the deck. The lid has a first portion overlying the deck and closing the dispensing opening in a closed position of the lid, and a second portion overlying the recess in the closed position of the lid. The lid can be pivoted between its closed and an open position in which the first portion of the lid is spaced from the deck and the second portion of the lid is disposed at least in part in the recess. The lid has a first protrusion and the base has second and third protrusions that cooperate with the first protrusion on the lid to releasably hold the lid in its closed position and in its open position respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Darin M. Pugne
  • Patent number: 6926179
    Abstract: An improved aerated dispensing cap provides an airway tube that does not become plugged when the bottle is turned abruptly for quick dispensing of liquid. This dispensing cap provides for smooth, controlled flow at all flow rates. It includes a dispensing tube and an airway tube having a small diameter lower portion and a large diameter upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: George J. Wagner, III, Troy Cleaver
  • Patent number: 6910607
    Abstract: A cover for a valved dispensing closure prevents the valve from opening while the cover is disposed on closure. The cover's central projection prevents flaps formed in the valve from opening, and the cover's outer projection prevents the flexible valve head from moving or inverting. The cover may also have projections that project inwardly from its skirt. The cover projections interact with mating projections formed on an exterior of the closure, and a lower end of the skirt may be disposed into an annular groove in the closure, to enhance a seal between the closure and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ricky G. Gaiser, Valentin Hierzer, Robert Simpson
  • Patent number: 6880736
    Abstract: A dispensing closure includes a closure base having a base wall, a skirt with an axis and at least one internal thread or bead for securing the closure to a container finish. A deck is raised with respect to the closure base wall and has an arcuate convex external surface at an angle to the axis of the skirt to prevent the puddling of moisture on the upper or external surface of the deck. A dispensing opening is disposed in the deck, and a lid is integrally connected to the closure base by at least one hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice R. Gnepper
  • Patent number: 6877645
    Abstract: A container for dispensing comestibles, such as a dry cereal dispenser, is provided that is generally designed to be capable of being fully cleaned and sanitized in order to avoid exposing the comestibles to contamination. In this regard, the various components of the container, such as the handle, the lid and the bottom closure, are advantageously mounted to the vessel such that the inner surface of the vessel with which the comestible is in contact is smooth and uninterrupted and, therefore, capable of being thoroughly cleaned. By including a removable bottom closure, the container may capable of being refilled through the bottom, opposite the open top through which the comestible is dispensed, to prevent stagnation of the comestible in lower portions of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Six Continents Hotels, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Barker, III, Thomas L. Bussiere, Mark A. Dark, Stephen C. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6866164
    Abstract: A child resistant dispenser comprising a double-shelled threaded closure and dual opposed motion child resistant features. The child resistant dispenser comprises a double shelled closure having a first squeeze and turn child resistant feature. Hingeably attached to the closure is a lid. The lid has a squeeze and lift feature used to open the lid and access the dispenser comprising the second child resistant feature. The child resistant dispenser may be disposed on a container and in fluid communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Rexam Medical Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Branson, Clifton C. Willis
  • Patent number: 6863193
    Abstract: A closing cap (1) for two-chamber containers (2), which can be connected to an outlet opening (3) of the container (2). The container (2) is divided by a separating element (4), which extends up to outlet opening (3), so that the contents of the first chamber (5) are supplied separately from the contents of the second chamber (6) to the outlet opening (3). According to the invention, a detent connection is provided for joining the closing cap (1) to the container (2), whereby a separating wall (12) divides the closing cap (1) into two separate areas. A separately closeable withdrawal opening (8, 8?) is arranged in each area, and the separating wall (12) interacts with the separating element (4) as to connect each of the chambers (5,6) of the container (2) only to the area of the closing cap (1), in which the assigned withdrawal opening (8, 8?) is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Aisapack Holding SA
    Inventor: Pierre Grossenbacher
  • Patent number: 6854619
    Abstract: A flip-top closure, for dispensing a product from a container, comprising a base member having a neck and a dispensing orifice. A cap is formed integral with the base member and connected thereto by a hinge which facilitates pivoting motion of the cap relative to the base member. The cap is pivotable from an open position to a closed position, and vice versa. The cap carries a sealing member which facilitates sealing of the dispensing orifice when the cap is in the closed position. The flip-top closure includes a child resistant locking system, which resists opening of the flip-top container by a child, comprising at least one hook member carried by one of the base member and the cap and at least one latching surface, carried by the other of the base member and the cap. The hook member is located to engage with the latching surface and retain the cap in a locked position and resist opening of the flip-top container by a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Summit Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 6851586
    Abstract: A closure divice for a container including a pourer designed to be fixed on a neck of the container wherein the closure device includes a cover assembly adapted to be mounted on the neck and over the pourer. The cover assembly includes a cap movable between a first position wherein it closes the neck and the pourer from the outside and a second position where it allows access to the neck and to the pourer. The pourer is arranged at least partly inside the neck. The cap is provided with a skirt extending, in the first position of the cap, inside the neck. The skirt has at least one flange capable, when the cap is in the first position, of exerting a force urging the pourer against an edge of the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Odet
  • Patent number: 6848603
    Abstract: A flip-top type tamper evident closure for dispensing material from a container includes a body portion having a dispensing opening, a lid portion hingedly connected to the body portion and a tamper evident band that is frangibly connected to the body portion. The tamper evident band is constructed and arranged to engage structure on the lid portion in an interlock arrangement in order to retain the lid portion in a closed position prior to the closure first being opened by a consumer. Advantageously, as an additional security measure the tamper evident band is further lightly spot-welded to the lid portion, which prevents or makes evident any attempt to overcome the interlock arrangement. A method of making the closure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Rick Gaiser, Ray Burg
  • Patent number: 6845884
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-chambered tube for containing and dispensing a contents comprised of portions having differing rheology and viscosity characteristics, the tube comprising: (a) a body divided by at least one body divider into at least two body chambers, each body chamber housing a portion of the contents, the body being sealed at one end by a crimp seal and one end of each body divider being sealed within the crimp seal; (b) a shoulder comprised of a shoulder base and a shoulder nozzle, the shoulder base being attached to the body, the shoulder nozzle having a face provided with at least two apertures, at least one aperture in communication with each of the body chambers, and the other end of each body divider disposed within the shoulder and being sealed at the face of the shoulder nozzle; (c) a cap comprised of a cap body provided with a dispensing orifice and at least one cap divider that separates the cap body into at least two cap chambers, each cap chamber being in communication with one of the body
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Li Li
  • Publication number: 20040245204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of a bottle (1) comprising a bottle neck (3) and a snap-on adapter (6) and/or a sealing cap (7) that is/are held on the bottle neck (3). The aim of the invention is to produce a structural shape of great mechanical strength that is easy to assemble. To achieve this, both a snap-on projection (8) and an alignment projection (9) are configured on the bottle neck (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Udo Suffa
  • Patent number: 6827904
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus, includes a container for containing a liquid, a container setting part for setting the container, a dispensing mechanism part having a pipette for drawing and dispensing the liquid, a raising/lowering part for raising and lowering the pipette, a base for holding the raising/lowering part and provided with a projecting part, and a base driving part for moving the base. A lid capable of being opened/closed with an opening/closing pivot part is coupled to the container, and the lid is provided with a hook part projecting upward from the lid for engaging with the projecting part, which opens the lid by abutting against the hook part and moving the hook part toward the pivot part side of the container as the base moves relatively to the container and retains the state of the lid opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20040238540
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser closure (10) for a container that contains a flowable product, especially for a beverage container. Said dispenser closure comprises: a closing body (100) with a cover (120) from whose outer rim a jacket (110) extends downward that can be fastened via an opening of the container on the same, an outlet opening (126) in an upper face of the closing body (100), which communicates with the opening of the container, and a closure element (200) for opening or closing the outlet opening (126) of the closing body (100), and a dome-shaped raised section (124) of the closing body (100), which is disposed around the outlet opening (126) of the closing body (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Gerhard F.K. Jackel, Franz Lenz, Eldon Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20040232174
    Abstract: A child resistant safety cap having a cover and a safety mechanism by which finger dexterity is required to open the cap, while the safety mechanism capable of being released if it is unnecessary. The cap comprises a cap body 1 having a skirt 3 with at least one stopping piece 9 at one side thereof. The stopping piece 9 has a base end fixed to a lower portion of the skirt 3 such that the stopping piece is pushable inwardly and swayable about the base end. The leading end portion of the stopping piece 9 is confronting at its outside with the insides of an outer tube 14 of the cover, and first and second engagement means 10, 18 are provided at confronting sides of the stopping piece 9 and the outer tube 14 for providing mutual engagement, such that when the stopping piece 9 is in an initial position, the first and second engagement means 10, 18 are engaged unless the stopping piece 9 is pushed inwardly against its elasticity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Shigeru Hayakawa, Takayuki Goto
  • Publication number: 20040232169
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing topically applied viscous fluids from a container is provided. The dispenser includes a cap arranged on the container and having a dispensing orifice therein. The dispensing orifice includes a center portion and at least three legs which radiate outward from the center portion such that viscous fluid dispensed from the container has an upper surface with a plurality of ridges formed therein. A lid is also provided. The lid has a projection arranged thereon. The projection on the lid having a configuration that is complementary to the dispensing orifice and being arranged on the lid such that the projection extends into the dispensing orifice when the lid is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Alberto-Culver Company
    Inventors: David A. Glover, Kevin C. Held
  • Publication number: 20040182890
    Abstract: Represented and described are a method for the manufacture of a reclosable pouring element and a pouring element manufactured in accordance therewith, whereby the pouring element features a basic body (1) and a closure cover (2), and whereby the closure cover (2) is connected in jointed fashion to the basic body by means of two bearing pivots (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20040178166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure device (1) comprising a plastic lid (11) which is articulated to a skirt (12) that is designed to surround the neck (1) of the container (3). The majority (112) of the surface of said lid is made up of an external convex surface (111). Said external surface (111) is provided with a concave recess (113) which is disposed more or less opposite the area (14) in which the lid (11) is articulated to the skirt (12). One section (117) of the lid (11) can rest against a heel which is provided close to the upper edge (123) of the skirt (12) so as to lock the lid in a position in which the device (1) is completely open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory Antier, Niels Damjaer
  • Publication number: 20040173645
    Abstract: An integrally formed closure for a container is disclosed having a base with a plurality of dispensing apertures and a cover coupled to the base for movement between a closed position and an open position to allow dispensing of matter from the container. The base includes a top portion having a first contour and the cover has a second contour configured to substantially correspond to the first contour. A closure for a container is also disclosed having a base that includes a topside having a contour. A cover is coupled to the base and includes an underside configured to substantially correspond to the contour and a rib extending downwardly from the underside to move matter accumulated on the topside of the base into the container when the cover is moved toward the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Gateway Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Vogel, Terrence M. Parve
  • Patent number: 6783031
    Abstract: A two-piece dispensing cap for a container has a body and an insert mounted for rotation within the body. The body has a sidewall defining a cylindrical chamber with an open first end and an end wall forming a partially closed second end. The body sidewall has an inlet while the body end wall has an axial opening, a non-axial outlet, and a protruding flange for attachment to a container mouth. The insert is received into open first end of the cylindrical chamber. The insert has a peripheral wall dimensioned to conform to the cylindrical housing interior surface and a first insert end wall including a protruding handle extending through the axial opening in the body end wall. The insert includes openings to permit filling of the insert from the container and dispensing of the contents of the insert. An insert second end wall is integrally formed with a hinge to the insert peripheral wall while an over-cap is integrally formed with a hinge to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Edward S. Robbins, John J. Miller, Ronald R. White
  • Patent number: 6779689
    Abstract: An ovaloid dispensing container is provided which includes an ovaloid bottle and an ovaloid overcap. The bottle is fitted with a fluid dispensing device such as a pump assembly. An oval collar is supported on the bottle and has an outwardly flaring shoulder. The overcap is formed with a surrounding wall and a mouth defining an open end. The surrounding wall tapers outwardly while the mouth defines a downwardly convex perimeter on front and rear faces of the surrounding wall. The shoulder functions as a camming surface against which the overcap perimeter slides to assist in twist-off removal of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Michael Flaig, Dean Rainey
  • Publication number: 20040159684
    Abstract: A toggle-action dispensing closure for a container is provided for manipulation between a closed, non-dispensing orientation and an open, dispensing orientation. The closure includes an actuator pivotally mounted along a tilting axis on a body secured to the container. The actuator is tiltable by applying force to the actuator on one side of the tilting axis so as to move the actuator from a non-dispensing position to a dispensing position. The actuator includes a flange having an engagable surface. The closure body includes an annular wall in which the actuator is received, and the annular wall includes an inwardly projecting interference member which underlies the actuator engagable surface and prevents tilting of the actuator unless a sufficient predetermined, initial opening force is exerted on the actuator to cause permanent, plastic deformation of the engagable surface and/or interference member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: SEAQUIST CLOSURES FOREIGN, INC.
    Inventors: Charles E. Roberts, Terry J. Vandenboom, Nicholas J. Jelich, Catherine F. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6772918
    Abstract: A safety can for storing flammable liquid is disclosed. The safety can includes a receptacle and a valve mechanism. The valve mechanism can include a body assembly, a fill cover assembly, a pour valve assembly, a trigger assembly, and a handle. The body assembly of the valve mechanism can be mounted to the receptacle. The body assembly can include a fill spout and a separate pour spout. The fill cover assembly can be pivotally mounted to the body assembly about a fill cover axis. The pour valve assembly can be movably mounted to the body assembly and be disposed therein. The safety can includes a trigger assembly for convenient multi-functional operation of the safety can. The trigger can be positioned to allow the can to be filled, to pour from the can, and to place the container in a safety position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Justrite Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Donald F. Mack, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040149787
    Abstract: A disc top dispensing closure which includes a body having an opening and an actuator having a channel mounted to the closure body. The actuator is pivotable about a pivot axis between an open position, wherein the channel and the opening of the body form a continuous fluid path, and a closed position, wherein the channel and the opening of the body do not form a continuous fluid path. The actuator is also rotatable between a locked position, wherein the actuator is not movable between the open and the closed position, and an unlocked position, wherein the actuator is movable between the open and the closed position. The pivot axis is parallel to but offset from a plane in which the longitudinal axis of the closure exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Englert, Kirstin Huesmann, Donald Kerr
  • Patent number: 6766926
    Abstract: A dispensing closure includes a base and a lid integrally connected to the base by at least one hinge element for pivoting the lid between a closed position overlying the base and an open position remote from the base. The base includes a deck wall, a skirt coupled to the deck wall and having an internal thread or bead for securing the closure to a container, and a dispensing opening in the deck wall. The lid includes a skirt that surrounds the deck wall in the closed position of the lid. The lid skirt has an interruption at the hinge element into which the hinge element is received in the closed position of the lid. The deck wall has an upstanding part-annular arcuate wall positioned around a peripheral portion of the deck wall adjacent to the hinge element and internally adjacent to an internal surface of the lid skirt at the hinge element to retard entry of moisture through the lid skirt interruption in the closed position of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney A. Elchert
  • Patent number: 6763945
    Abstract: A dispenser for storing and dispensing small objects and a method of dispensing small objects with the dispenser. The dispenser has a housing, defining an interior volume and a dispensing aperture, providing access to the interior volume, a dispensing aperture closure, having a closed position for securing objects within the interior volume and a dispensing position for dispensing objects from within the interior volume. The dispenser also includes a fulcrum within the interior volume of the housing, positioned such that, when pressure is applied to a button portion of the closure, a flap portion of the closure contacts the fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Joseph Baker, Jim Francis Warner
  • Publication number: 20040134942
    Abstract: A closure for a container includes a base with at least one opening for dispensing a material from the container and a cover coupled atop the base. The cover includes at least one flap that is movable between an open position for dispensing the material and a closed position for covering the opening. At least one projection extends from the flap to releasably retain the flap in the closed position. A tab extends from the projection. A guide surface is provided on the tab and is configured to contact an edge of the opening when the flap is moved toward the closed position and is configured to create a wedging interaction with the edge of the opening when the flap is moved further toward the closed position. The flap is retained in the closed position by the wedging interaction of the tab and the edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Gateway Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence M. Parve, William C. Vogel
  • Publication number: 20040118846
    Abstract: A bottle cap and cap and bottle combination suitable for use with condiments are described. The cap has a small and large orifice and is designed for use on squeezable bottles to ensure complete removal of condiment within the squeezable bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Unilever Bestfoods North America
    Inventor: Thomas Vincent Merolla
  • Patent number: 6742666
    Abstract: A lid for a container is provided generally comprising a main body and a door having a flip section pivotally connected to a push section, the push section pivotally connected to the main body. The main body includes a recess that defines a pivot wall. The flip section is positioned to engage the pivot wall and rotate relative to the push section in response to downward pressure on the push section. The floor of the recess includes a dispensing hole sized to dispense large items. Preferably, the dispensing hole is sized to accommodate a person's fingers while gasping an item. Additionally, the flip section of the door includes a sealing ring projecting from the underside of the door. The sealing ring is sized to engage the inner periphery of the dispensing hole to provide a seal to preserve organic or other perishable items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: J.L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Bried, George Solowiejko, Gary D. Johnson, C. Alan Peet, Philip M. Baerenwald, Michael A. Yarbro
  • Publication number: 20040089678
    Abstract: A dispensing cap with hinged flaps for opening and closing spoon and shake apertures in the cap end wall. The flaps, which are hinged away from the perimeter of the cap, include sealing plugs for the apertures. The plugs and apertures are formed by tooling elements on the same half of a mold to maintain very precise positioning of the plugs relative to the apertures. This precise positioning of the plugs and apertures allows them to be sized to produce a very light interference or touch fit that effectively stops moisture vapor transmission into the container and sifting of product out of the container to which the cap is fitted but, desirably, has little effect on flap opening and closing force. The sealing effectiveness of the plugs and apertures enables the cap to be used without a sealing liner for the mouth of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas S. Martin
  • Publication number: 20040089627
    Abstract: A tamper-evident dispensing closure system is provided for a container. The system has a body for extending from the container at the container opening. The body defines a dispensing orifice, a channel, and a retention member projecting over a portion of the channel. The system includes a lid for being moved between a closed position and an open position. An anchor member is provided for being received in the channel and has an engaging portion for engaging the retention member when the anchor member is received in the channel. At least one frangible web initially connects the anchor member with the lid so that the frangible web breaks when the lid is initially lifted from the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Kelly A. Smith, Walter W. Peterson, Joseph W. Staniszewski
  • Patent number: 6732873
    Abstract: A lid for a container is provided generally comprising a main body and a door having a flip section pivotally connected to a push section, the push section pivotally connected to the main body. The main body includes a recess that defines a pivot wall. The flip section is positioned to engage the pivot wall and rotate relative to the push section in response to downward pressure on the push section. A detent mechanism is used to control opening the door in at least two stages. In the first stage, the detent mechanism substantially fixes the push section in a closed position, and in the second stage substantially fixes the push section in an open position. In one embodiment, the floor of the recess is sloped to increase container space and limit flexure of the push section of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: J.L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Bried, George Solowiejko, Gary D. Johnson, C. Alan Peet, Philip M. Baerenwald, Michael A. Yarbro
  • Publication number: 20040079766
    Abstract: A lower portion of a nozzle is held hermetically in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the tubular neck of a container, and an inner surface of a cap is mounted to an outer surface of the tubular neck. A discharging hole of the nozzle is hermetically sealed by an inner top surface of the cap. A ring-shaped projection is formed on an upper portion of the nozzle for hermetically contacting an inner surface of the cap. Thereby, double sealing is provided in cooperation with hermetic sealing of the discharging hole of the nozzle by the inner top surface of the cap. The nozzle prevents a liquid leak and liquid dripping from the nozzle and form liquid drops independently of a dripping angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigehiko Kokubo
  • Publication number: 20040065697
    Abstract: An improved dispensing closure system for dispensing a product from a container includes an elongate or oblong dispensing orifice for dispensing a ribbon of product. One form of the dispensing closure system also includes a spout having a dispensing orifice that is oriented at an angle relative to the closure deck and relative to the flow direction of product from the orifice. The closure provides for the dispensing of product in a clean and controlled manner without mess. One form of the closure system also incorporates conical geometries in transition surfaces extending from the container opening to the dispensing orifice. The conical geometries of the transition surfaces provides for a smooth transition of product flow from the container opening to the dispensing orifice, while minimizing the volume defined by the closure system spout and thereby providing increased “suck-back” and an abrupt “cut-off” of product compared to prior art devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: SEAQUIST CLOSURES FOREIGN, INC.
    Inventors: Susan DeGroot, Cori M. Blomdahl, David S. Pozgay
  • Patent number: RE38816
    Abstract: A dispensing cap intended to equip a reservoir containing a liquid or viscous product includes a body provided with at least one dispensing opening and a lid articulated to the body around an axis. The lid is intended to stopper the dispensing opening in the storage position. The body and the lid are made of a rigid or semirigid material. At least one gripping zone is arranged on the lid and/or the body to facilitate the opening and/or closing of the lid, the gripping zone being formed by an elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Gilles Baudin
  • Patent number: RE39187
    Abstract: A spurt-resistant spout for a dispensing structure includes (1) an internal tubular portion having a through bore connecting a dispensing orifice of the spout with the interior of the container, and (2) a surrounding wall portion surrounding the tubular portion. The tubular portion and the surrounding wall portion are sized and located so that little or no fluid is retained in and across the spout bore so as to prevent, or minimize, obstruction of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Randall