US3610477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic closure for containers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-07-16
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1989-07-16
Abstract
Abstract This invention is an improved automatic closure for squeeze bottles or the like tubes or containers of the type formed from semirigid, flexible material such as polyethylene or semirigid polyvinyl chloride having properties of resilient flexibility, and means and methods for making the same. The container is provided with a preferably tapered neck portion terminating in lips and edges forming an openable closure elongate in cross section. One or both of these lips is preferably formed with an inherent reentrant or inward curve or set so that when the tapered side edges are sealed together and the lips are pressed together they provide the closure, which is opened by pressure digitally exerted on the container and closes on release of pressure. A closure which can effectively seal is realized in this manner by way of a preferred sealing technique. In this technique, sealing dies are used having nonsealing inserts so that when sealing, the outlet of the container is subjected to a uniform clamping pressure so that the outlet thereof is held fully flattened and uniformly closed during the sealing operation, both in and adjacent the closure to obviate the formation of irregularities and leaks at and adjacent the sealed edges. Upon release of clamping pressure the preferred form of outlet retains an inherent closing bias. A tear-strip seals the outer end of the end of the closure until removed in a manner heretofore disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert M Herzig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:23
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/20; B65D47/2018; B65D47/2031; B65D1/00; B65D1/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In combination with a resiliently flexible container for fluids, said container having an outlet comprising opposed parallel and flexibly resilient wall portions having abutting end edge portions defining therebetween a closed-slit outlet, said wall portions having side edges extending, respectively, to opposite ends of said end edges, means holding said side edges in face-to-face abutting and sealed relationship, at least one of said end edge portions being yieldably internally stressed to tend to curve lengthwise of said slit to a shape bowing convexly toward the other end edge portion whereby to provide yieldable sealing pressure between said end edge portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In combination with a resiliently flexible container for fluids, said container having an outlet comprising opposed parallel and flexibly resilient wall portions having abutting end edge portions defining therebetween a closed-slit outlet, said wall portions having side edges extending, respectively, to opposite ends of said end edges, means holding said side edges in face-to-face abutting and sealed relationship, at least one of said end edge portions being yieldably internally stressed to tend to curve lengthwise of said slit to a shape bowing convexly toward the other end edge portion whereby to provide yieldable sealing pressure between said end edge portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
In combination with a resiliently flexible container for fluids, said container having an outlet comprising opposed parallel and flexibly resilient wall portions having abutting end edge portions defining therebetween a closed-slit outlet, said wall portions having side edges extending, respectively, to opposite ends of said end edges, means holding said side edges in face-to-face abutting and sealed relationship, at least one of said end edge portions being yieldably internally stressed to tend to curve lengthwise of said slit to a shape bowing convexly toward the other end edge portion whereby to provide yieldable sealing pressure between said end edge portions, both said end edge portions being configured to tend to bow inwardly toward each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
In combination with a resiliently flexible container for fluids, said container having an outlet comprising opposed parallel and flexibly resilient wall portions having abutting end edge portions defining therebetween a closed-slit outlet, said wall portions having side edges extending, respectively, to opposite ends of said end edges, means holding said side edges in face-to-face abutting and sealed relationship, at least one of said end edge portions being yieldably internally stressed to tend to curve lengthwise of said slit to a shape bowing convexly toward the other end edge portion whereby to provide yieldable sealing pressure between said end edge portions, both said end edge portions being configured to tend to bow inwardly toward each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
In combination with a resilient flexible container for fluids, said container having an outlet comprising opposed parallel and flexibly resilient wall portions having abutting end edge portions defining therebetween a closed-slit outlet, said wall portions having side edges extending, respectively, to opposite ends of said end edges, means holding said said edges in face-to-face abutting and sealed relationship, at least one of said end edge portions being yieldably internally stressed to tend to curve lengthwise of said slit to a shape bowing convexly toward the other end edge portion whereby to provide yieldable sealing pressure between said end edge portions, said side edges converging in a direction toward said end edge portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
In combination with a resilient flexible container for fluids, said container having an outlet comprising opposed parallel and flexibly resilient wall portions having abutting end edge portions defining therebetween a closed-slit outlet, said wall portions having side edges extending, respectively, to opposite ends of said end edges, means holding said said edges in face-to-face abutting and sealed relationship, at least one of said end edge portions being yieldably internally stressed to tend to curve lengthwise of said slit to a shape bowing convexly toward the other end edge portion whereby to provide yieldable sealing pressure between said end edge portions, said side edges converging in a direction toward said end edge portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
In combination with a resiliently flexible container for fluids, said container having an outlet comprising opposed parallel and flexibly resilient wall portions having abutting and edge portions defining therebetween a closed-slit outlet, said wall portions having side edges extending, respectively, to opposite ends of said end edges, means holding said side edges in face-to-face abutting and sealed relationship, at least one of said end edge portions being yieldably internally stressed to tend to curve lengthwise of said slit to a shape bowing convexly toward the other end edge portion whereby to provide yieldable sealing pressure between said end edge portions, said holding means comprising said side edges being fused and sealed together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
In combination with a resiliently flexible container for fluids, said container having an outlet comprising opposed parallel and flexibly resilient wall portions having abutting and edge portions defining therebetween a closed-slit outlet, said wall portions having side edges extending, respectively, to opposite ends of said end edges, means holding said side edges in face-to-face abutting and sealed relationship, at least one of said end edge portions being yieldably internally stressed to tend to curve lengthwise of said slit to a shape bowing convexly toward the other end edge portion whereby to provide yieldable sealing pressure between said end edge portions, said holding means comprising said side edges being fused and sealed together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |