US4254889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pop top can sealer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-12-11
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Granted: 1981-03-10
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Expires: 1999-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A closure for use with can-type containers, having an opening formed in one end by removing a portion of the container material. The closure has a vertical sidewall, forming a chamber within which a hermetically sealed elastic membrane is fastened, and an actuator plate resting within the vertical walls on the upper surface of the hermetically sealed membrane so that by downward movement of the actuator plate the membrane is forced to expand within the container opening, and with further downward movement of the actuator plate expands inside the container to provide a seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Harvey B. Jacobs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:33
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D39/00; B65D39/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
An inflated closure for use with a container having a planar end with a permanently formed aperature therein, comprising an inflated hermetically sealed elastic membrane having an annular flange, a housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion, said lower body portion adapted to contact said container, said housing forming a chamber within which said membrane is disposed, said membrane, said upper body portion and said lower body portion all joined together through said annular flange, said upper body portion of said housing having at one end thereof an inturned continuous flange, an actuator plate of slightly less planar dimensions than said housing located between one surface of said membrane and said inturned flange, and locking means located on said upper body portion within said chamber whereby a container can be resealed by applying downward force to said actuator which everts said membrane from said housing into the cavity within said container and by horizontal motion of said actuator, said locking mechanism is engaged to maintain said actuator in the downward position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
An inflated closure for use with a container having a planar end with a permanently formed aperature therein, comprising an inflated hermetically sealed elastic membrane having an annular flange, a housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion, said lower body portion adapted to contact said container, said housing forming a chamber within which said membrane is disposed, said membrane, said upper body portion and said lower body portion all joined together through said annular flange, said upper body portion of said housing having at one end thereof an inturned continuous flange, an actuator plate of slightly less planar dimensions than said housing located between one surface of said membrane and said inturned flange, and locking means located on said upper body portion within said chamber whereby a container can be resealed by applying downward force to said actuator which everts said membrane from said housing into the cavity within said container and by horizontal motion of said actuator, said locking mechanism is engaged to maintain said actuator in the downward position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inflated closure of claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a plurality of vertically spaced downwardly sloping projections formed on the interior surface of said upper body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The inflated closure of claim 1, wherein said lower body portion has a vertical end wall defining a tube slightly larger than the opening to be sealed and a horizontal end wall defining an end wall of said chamber, said horizontal end wall having an opening of slightly smaller dimensions than said tube and the opening to be sealed whereby the opening in the horizontal end wall serves as a guide for said membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inflated closure of claim 1, comprising a hinge means engaging one edge portion of said actuator plate on the interior wall of said housing opposite said locking means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The inflated closure of claim 1, wherein said upper body portion and said lower body portion each have interconnected opposed annular flanges with the annular flange of said membrane interposed therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The inflated closure of claim 1, wherein said annular flanges are of such dimensions to provide a snap-fit with the periphery of the container to be sealed
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The inflated closure of claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises an aperture in said continuous inturned flange and a ratchet means extending through said aperture into said chamber, one end of said ratchet means contacting said actuator plate, the other end of said ratchet means extending above said housing whereby said actuator plate may be moved and locked in incremental steps progressively everting said membrane from said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-09-08 | 1985-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-09 | 1988-09-08 | 1989-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-09 | 1992-09-08 | 1993-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |