Patent US4030629A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4030629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible hatch cover
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
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Filing: 1976-06-28
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Granted: 1977-06-21
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Expires: 1996-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A cover for a tank, hatch, or like container having an opening, including two rims about the perimeter of the opening connected by a flexible sleeve. At least one rim is rotatable with respect to the other, and, when rotated, causes the sleeve to close in an iris fashion and seal the opening. Reversing the rotation untwists the sleeve and causes the cover to open. The device of the present invention does not require sliding plates, cams or gears and is adaptable to closing about a pipe or other obstruction placed in the opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Igor V. Melnikov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:02
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/10; B65D90/54; B65D90/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A flexible hatch cover comprising, a container having an opening, a rim about the circumference of said opening, a second rim about the circumference of said opening and movable in a rotary manner with respect to said first rim, a flexible sleeve having one end attached around the circumference of said first rim and the other end attached around the circumference of said second rim and a length sufficient to at least substantially close the opening, and means for rotating said second rim with respect to said first rim.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A flexible hatch cover comprising, a container having an opening, a rim about the circumference of said opening, a second rim about the circumference of said opening and movable in a rotary manner with respect to said first rim, a flexible sleeve having one end attached around the circumference of said first rim and the other end attached around the circumference of said second rim and a length sufficient to at least substantially close the opening, and means for rotating said second rim with respect to said first rim.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cover of claim 1 wherein plastic ball bearings are utilized for rotary movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cover of claim 1 wherein said rotating means is an air motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cover of claim 1 wherein said flexible sleeve is formed of polypropylene filter media cloth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cover of claim 1 wherein said flexible sleeve has a length at least equal to one-half the longest dimension of the opening between the rims.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3329396A
Cited
US3787022A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-20 | 1980-12-20 | 1981-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-20 | 1984-12-20 | 1985-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-20 | 1988-12-20 | 1989-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |