US 6,102,237 A · Container with sealing member

Abstract

Various embodiments of a sealing member disposed between a container body and an endpiece attached thereto are disclosed, as well as a method for disposing a sealing member between an endpiece and a container body. In one embodiment, a sealing member is disposed within a space between a container body flange and a corresponding portion of the sidewall of the container body, is disposed between a space between an endpiece flange and a corresponding portion of an endpiece wall, and is further disposed between the endpiece flange and container body flange. As such, the sealing member has a generally S-shaped configuration in cross-section. At least one and preferably two scores are incorporated on the sealing member to facilitate at least a partial removal of the endpiece from the container body so as to be able to access the contents of the container. In another embodiment, a sealing member is removed from between the endpiece and container body, and at least one mechanical purchase exists between the endpiece and container body to provide a "reclosability" feature.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method for attaching an endpiece to a container body having a first open end and a container body central axis, comprising the steps of:

forming a first hooked portion on a free end of said container body defining said first open end;
forming a second hooked portion on a free end of said endpiece;
positioning a sealing member relative to each of said endpiece and said container body so as to be disposed in each of said first and second hooked portions;
disposing a portion of said endpiece within said first open end;
and
moving said second hooked portion toward said first hooked portion and toward said container body central axis after said disposing step and after said sealing member is disposed in each of said first and second hooked portions.

3 more elements

A container, comprising:

a container body comprising a sidewall disposed about a central, longitudinal reference axis and a container body flange interconnected with an upper portion of said sidewall, said container body flange being disposed on a first open end of said container body and wherein said container body flange includes at least engagement portions that are in contiguous contact with at least parts of said sidewall upper portion;
an endpiece closing said first open end of said container body and comprising an endpiece flange having at least contacting portions which are resiliently biased toward said container body flange;
and
a sealing member comprising a first portion disposed between said container body flange and said endpiece flange, said sealing member further comprising a handle which extends away from said first portion of said sealing member to be accessible on an exterior of said container, wherein at least part of said first portion of said sealing member is pulled out from between said container body flange and said endpiece flange to allow said endpiece to be moved away from said container body to gain access to an interior of said container, and wherein when said endpiece is reattached to said container body said contacting portions of said endpiece flange contiguously contact said engagement portions of said container body flange to provide a mechanical purchase between said contacting portions of said endpiece flange and said engagement portions of said container body flange.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Container with sealing member

Life of this patent

Container with sealing member

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22