US3874580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container end closure
Assignee: Weatherchem Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-01
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A food dispensing container is disclosed which includes a fiber tube, a bottom end closure, and a self-locking top end closure. The top end closure includes a generally flat laterally extending end portion, and an annular skirt portion extending axially from the end portion. A plurality of locking means are disposed in positions of remotely spaced adjacency on the end closure for holding the skirt portion in the fiber tube. Each of the locking means includes a plurality of axially spaced locking barbs and a reinforcing strut extending between the end portion and the skirt portion which prevents radially inward deformation of the locking barbs. The skirt portion and the fiber tube are dimensioned to provide an interference fit, and the locking barbs locally stretch the fiber tube so that the resilience of the stretched fiber tube forces the fiber tube onto the locking barbs. The locking means are spaced 120* apart, and the locking barbs each extend through an arc of only 3*, whereby the force of the locally stretched fiber tube is concentrated on a small area of the locking barbs.
Inventors
- 👤 Iii Albert J Weatherhead
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/20; B65D47/26; B65D47/261; B65D47/265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
In combination, an end closure and a fiber tube, said fiber tube including a generally cylindrical wall, and said end closure being plastic and including a laterally extending end portion, an annular skirt portion extending axially from said end portion, said skirt portion having an inner surface and a generally smooth outer surface being received within said tube wall, and a plurality of locking means disposed in positions of remotely spaced adjacency holding said skirt portion in said tube wall, each of said locking means including a plurality of axially spaced locking barbs, each of said barbs extending radially outwardly from said generally smooth outer surface and terminating at a sharp edge, reinforcing strut means extending from said end portion to said inner surface solely at a location immediately adjacent said locking barbs and preventing radially inward deformation of said locking barbs, said locking barbs locally deforming the portion of said tube wall adjacent said locking barbs radially outwardly to stretch said portion of said tube wall to a position radially outwardly of the remaining portions of said tube wall intermediate said barbs, and the resilience of said stretched tube wall urging said fiber tube onto said locking barbs whereby said locking barbs lock said end closure onto said fiber tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
In combination, an end closure and a fiber tube, said fiber tube including a generally cylindrical wall, and said end closure being plastic and including a laterally extending end portion, an annular skirt portion extending axially from said end portion, said skirt portion having an inner surface and a generally smooth outer surface being received within said tube wall, and a plurality of locking means disposed in positions of remotely spaced adjacency holding said skirt portion in said tube wall, each of said locking means including a plurality of axially spaced locking barbs, each of said barbs extending radially outwardly from said generally smooth outer surface and terminating at a sharp edge, reinforcing strut means extending from said end portion to said inner surface solely at a location immediately adjacent said locking barbs and preventing radially inward deformation of said locking barbs, said locking barbs locally deforming the portion of said tube wall adjacent said locking barbs radially outwardly to stretch said portion of said tube wall to a position radially outwardly of the remaining portions of said tube wall intermediate said barbs, and the resilience of said stretched tube wall urging said fiber tube onto said locking barbs whereby said locking barbs lock said end closure onto said fiber tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking barbs and reinforcing strut means each extend through an arc of less than ten degrees.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said locking barbs and reinforcing strut means each extend through an arc of not greater than 3*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said locking means are at least 90* apart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein said locking means are 120* apart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said end portion includes a generally flat axially recessed center portion, and each of said reinforcing struts extend between said inner surface adjacent said locking barbs and said recessed center portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking means provide the sole means for holding said end closure on said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer surface of said skirt portion from which said locking barbs project and said cylindrical wall of said fiber tube are dimensioned to provide an interference fit therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A plastic end closure comprising a laterally extending end portion, an annular skirt portion extending axiaLly from said end portion, said skirt portion having an inner surface and a generally smooth outer surface, a plurality of locking means disposed in positions of remotely spaced adjacency along said skirt portion, each of said locking means including a plurality of axially spaced locking barbs, each of said barbs extending radially outwardly from said generally smooth outer surface and terminating at a sharp edge, reinforcing strut means extending from said end portion to said inner surface solely at a location immediately adjacent said locking barbs and preventing radially inward deformation of said locking barbs, and said locking barbs and reinforcing strut means each extending through an arc of less than ten degrees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
A plastic end closure comprising a laterally extending end portion, an annular skirt portion extending axiaLly from said end portion, said skirt portion having an inner surface and a generally smooth outer surface, a plurality of locking means disposed in positions of remotely spaced adjacency along said skirt portion, each of said locking means including a plurality of axially spaced locking barbs, each of said barbs extending radially outwardly from said generally smooth outer surface and terminating at a sharp edge, reinforcing strut means extending from said end portion to said inner surface solely at a location immediately adjacent said locking barbs and preventing radially inward deformation of said locking barbs, and said locking barbs and reinforcing strut means each extending through an arc of less than ten degrees.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A plastic end closure in accordance with claim 9 wherein said locking barbs and reinforcing strut means each extend through an arc of not greater than three degrees.
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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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |