US4438850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Membrane closure structure
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
•
Filing: 1982-07-15
•
Granted: 1984-03-27
•
Expires: 2002-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A membrane for containers is disclosed. The membrane upon being sealed to the container can withstand the rigors of retort sterilization and at the same time provide a peelable opening structure for the container with a protective cover for heating the contents of the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Merle S. Kahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:39
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B7/00; B32B7/04; B32B7/12; B65; B65D; B65D77/00; B65D77/10; B65D77/20; B65D77/2024; B65D77/2028; B65D77/2032; B65D77/2044; B32B15/00; B32B15/04; B32B15/08; B32B2323/00; B32B2323/10; B32B2367/00; B65D2577/00; B65D2577/10; B65D2577/20; B65D2577/2041; B65D2577/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A membrane closure for a container, said membrane closure being heat sealable to said container and said membrane closure being capable of withstanding retort sterilization, said membrane closure comprising a plastics resin film layer, said plastics resin film layer providing protection and splatter resistance for contents of said container after removal of a barrier layer therefrom, an intermediate adhesive layer bonded on one side thereof to said plastics resin film layer and a barrier layer bonded on one side thereof to the other side of said adhesive layer, said plastics resin film layer having a heat seal strength to said container greater than the adhesive strength of said adhesive layer to said plastics resin film layer and said plastics resin film layer having a tear strength less than the adhesive strength of said adhesive layer to said plastics resin film layer, whereby upon peeling of said membrane closure from said container under hand pressure, failure occurs within said plastics resin film layer at an outer edge of a heat seal between said membrane closure and said container, thereby removing said barrier layer and providing a protective covering for the contents of said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A membrane closure for a container, said membrane closure being heat sealable to said container and said membrane closure being capable of withstanding retort sterilization, said membrane closure comprising a plastics resin film layer, said plastics resin film layer providing protection and splatter resistance for contents of said container after removal of a barrier layer therefrom, an intermediate adhesive layer bonded on one side thereof to said plastics resin film layer and a barrier layer bonded on one side thereof to the other side of said adhesive layer, said plastics resin film layer having a heat seal strength to said container greater than the adhesive strength of said adhesive layer to said plastics resin film layer and said plastics resin film layer having a tear strength less than the adhesive strength of said adhesive layer to said plastics resin film layer, whereby upon peeling of said membrane closure from said container under hand pressure, failure occurs within said plastics resin film layer at an outer edge of a heat seal between said membrane closure and said container, thereby removing said barrier layer and providing a protective covering for the contents of said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The membrane closure of claim 1 wherein said plastics resin film layer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyethylenes, polyesters and nylons.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The membrane closure of claim 1 wherein said adhesive layer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylenes, epoxy or modified polypropylenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyethylenes, polyesters and nylons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The membrane closure of claim 1 wherein said barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of aluminum foil and paper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The membrane closure of claim 1 further comprising a second adhesive layer having one side thereof bonded to the other said of said barrier layer and an outer layer having one side thereof bonded to the other side of said second adhesive layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The membrane closure of claim 5 wherein said second adhesive layer is a polyester adhesive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The membrane closure of claim 5 wherein said outer layer is a plastics resin film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The membrane closure of claim 5 wherein said outer layer is a reverse-printed plastics resin film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The membrane closure of claim 5 wherein said outer layer is a polyester or nylon film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The membrane closure of claim 5 wherein said outer layer is a reverse-printed polyester or nylon film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA705228A
Cited
US3054703A
Cited
US3061087A
Cited
US3079056A
Cited
US3298593A
Cited
US3335939A
Cited
US3552638A
Cited
US3711011A
Cited
US4055672A
Cited
US4055671A
Cited
US3942676A
Cited
DE2539351A1
Cited
US4209126A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-27 | 1987-09-26 | 1988-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-27 | 1991-09-26 | 1992-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-27 | 1995-09-26 | 1996-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |