US3741422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for secondary closure
Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1971-07-19
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-07-19
Abstract
Abstract Described herein are methods and means for providing containers with secondary closures resistant to the passage of moisture, bacteria and the like. Heat recoverable tubular members having one or more integral tear tabs and preferably provided with a hot melt adhesive or other sealant material on the inner surface thereof are radially inwardly heat recovered about the generally cylindrical neck portions of containers provided with a primary closure such as a cap. The tear tab is preferably provided with a stress-raising characteristic positioned to resist tearing during radial recovery of the secondary closure and to facilitate removal of the same when the container is to be opened. Simultaneously with or following heat recovery the container, including the container-primary closure interface about which the tubular member is recovered, is sterilized.
Inventors
- 👤 R Wold
- 👤 A Higgins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
An open-ended tubular member heat-recoverable radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis thereof, at least one arcuate portion of one circumferential end extending longitudinally therefrom to form an integral tear tab, said tab being provided with a stress-raising characteristic positioned sufficiently above the arcuate portion of said circumferential end as to resist tearing of the tab when the tubular member is radially recovered about an object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
An open-ended tubular member heat-recoverable radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis thereof, at least one arcuate portion of one circumferential end extending longitudinally therefrom to form an integral tear tab, said tab being provided with a stress-raising characteristic positioned sufficiently above the arcuate portion of said circumferential end as to resist tearing of the tab when the tubular member is radially recovered about an object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article according to claim 1 having a layer of sealant material on the interior surface of said member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article according to claim 2 wherein said sealant material is a hot melt adhesive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
In combination, a container having a generally cylindrical neck portion and primary closure, and an article according to claim 1 positioned about the neck portion and container-closure interface, said primary closure protruding beyond a circumferential end of said tubular member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said tubular member is provided with a layer of sealant material on the interior surface thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said sealant material is a hot melt adhesive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
The process of providing a secondary closure on a container having a generally cylindrical neck portion and primary closure which comprises (1) positioning an open-ended tubular member about said neck portion over the container-primary closure interface such that the primary closure protrudes beyond a circumferential end thereof, said tubular member being heat recoverable radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis thereof, at least one arcuate portion of one circumferential end of the tubular article extending longitudinally therefrom to form a tear tab; and (2) heat recovering said tubular member about said container-primary closure interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
The process of providing a secondary closure on a container having a generally cylindrical neck portion and primary closure which comprises (1) positioning an open-ended tubular member about said neck portion over the container-primary closure interface such that the primary closure protrudes beyond a circumferential end thereof, said tubular member being heat recoverable radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis thereof, at least one arcuate portion of one circumferential end of the tubular article extending longitudinally therefrom to form a tear tab; and (2) heat recovering said tubular member about said container-primary closure interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the interior surface of said tubular member is provided with a sealant layer of hot melt adhesive, and which additionally comprises the step of melting said adhesive to form a seal along said container-primary closure interface resistant to the passage of moisture and bacteria.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein said container is sterilized following heat recovery of said member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 9 wherein the melting point of said adhesive is attained during recovery of said member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 9 wherein recovery occurs at a temperature less than the melting point of said adhesive, said melting point being attained during subsequent sterilization.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |