US 5,507,419 AGranted

Multi-functional, enviornmentally-oriented, tamper-evident container closure

AssigneeTri-Made Products, Inc.

InventorsClyde J. Martin, Gail F. Duncan

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A multi-functional, environmentally-oriented one-piece container closure panel has a peripheral rib adapted to removably engage the lip of a container end. The closure panel is slidably rotatable on the lip such that an opening in the closure panel may be variably positioned in alignment with a push-in opening in the container end to control the dispensing of container contents. When removed, the one-piece container closure may be disposed of separately, allowing recycling of reusable container materials or disposal of biodegradable container materials. Because disposed of separately, the container closure may be of any suitable material appropriate for the application, while different reusable or biodegradable materials may be used for the container.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An environmentally oriented, multi-functional container closure for an easy-opening container having a threaded portion at one end of the container, said container closure comprising:

a container end cap, said container end cap comprising:
a tube section having threads along a surface thereof, said threads engagable with said threaded portion of said container wall;
a container end panel disposed across one end of said tube section, said container end panel having a push-in opening defined by a score line;
and
at least one raised lip extending upward from said container end panel, extending generally along at least a portion of the periphery of said container end panel;
and
a closure panel having a peripheral rib adapted to removably engage said raised lip of said container end panel, said peripheral rib slidable on said raised lip to rotatably position said closure panel;
said closure panel having at least one opening defined therein, and said closure panel rotatable between a position wherein said closure panel substantially blocks said push-in opening, and one or more positions wherein said at least one opening is alignable with at least a portion of said push-in opening;
whereby said container closure, is adjustable to regulate the dispensing of contents from said container wherein said closure panel is in substantially planar contact with said container end panel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/145,205Filed 3 Nov 1993 · continuation
Priority: 8 Jan 1992
Granted: 16 Apr 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B65D 21/0235
Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together: containers stackable…
B65D 47/265
Having a rotational or helicoidal movement: between planar parts
B65D 51/20
Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures: caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an…
B65D 2251/0025
Upper closure: of the 47-type

Family

Serial818,115Parent of this continuation · filed 8 Jan 1992
Serial9,553Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Jan 1993
US 5,305,931 AParent of this continuation
US 5,213,238 AParent of this continuation
US 5,507,419 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.