US4557414A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Membrane-type end closure member
Assignee: Sonoco Products Co
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Filing: 1981-07-14
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Granted: 1985-12-10
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Expires: 2001-07-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved membrane-type end closure member for composite containers or the like is disclosed, characterized in that the end closure member is deformed to define an annular deformation of generally V-shaped or flat bottom transverse cross-section, which deformation extends partially within the end of the container when the end closure member is bonded to the open upper end of the container body. The annular deformation, which is arranged between the annular flange portion that is bonded to the end extremity of the container and a central circular disk portion of the end closure member, serves to reinforce the relatively thin flexible membrane member and flexes or "domes" in response to variations in internal pressure of the container to maintain the container in a closed condition.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Ford
- 👤 Gerald F. Staack
- 👤 Phillip Waite
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D51/00; B65D51/18; B65D51/20; B65D2251/00; B65D2251/0003; B65D2251/0006; B65D2251/0018; B65D2251/0068; B65D2251/0093; B65D2577/00; B65D2577/10; B65D2577/20; B65D2577/2025; B65D2577/2041; B65D2577/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A container including a membrane-type closure member, comprising: (a) a tubular container member which is open at its upper end; and (b) end closure means closing said container upper end, said end closure means including a horizontal generally resilient peelable membrane-type closure member formed from a sheet of relatively thin flexible material, said closure member including (1) an annular flange portion bonded to the upper extremity of said container upper end; (2) a horizontal circular central disk portion; and (3) an annular downwardly deformed trough portion connected between the peripheral edge of said disk portion and the inner peripheral edge of said annular portion, said trough portion having a downwardly and inwardly converging outer side wall, the diameter of the lowermost extremity of said outer side wall being less than the internal diameter of said container member, thereby to cause the lower portion of said outer side wall to be spaced inwardly from the inner wall surface of said container member, whereby said annular deformed trough portion assists in aligning the members during the assembly thereof, and also affords a limited degree of flexure permitting vertical displacement of said central disk portion relative to said annular flange portion when said membrane-type closure member is bonded to said container upper end, and further structurally reinforces said membrane-type closure member to improve the peeling operation of said peripheral flange portion from said container upper end and to preclude tearing of said membrane-type closure while peeling and the integrity of said closure member is maintained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A container including a membrane-type closure member, comprising: (a) a tubular container member which is open at its upper end; and (b) end closure means closing said container upper end, said end closure means including a horizontal generally resilient peelable membrane-type closure member formed from a sheet of relatively thin flexible material, said closure member including (1) an annular flange portion bonded to the upper extremity of said container upper end; (2) a horizontal circular central disk portion; and (3) an annular downwardly deformed trough portion connected between the peripheral edge of said disk portion and the inner peripheral edge of said annular portion, said trough portion having a downwardly and inwardly converging outer side wall, the diameter of the lowermost extremity of said outer side wall being less than the internal diameter of said container member, thereby to cause the lower portion of said outer side wall to be spaced inwardly from the inner wall surface of said container member, whereby said annular deformed trough portion assists in aligning the members during the assembly thereof, and also affords a limited degree of flexure permitting vertical displacement of said central disk portion relative to said annular flange portion when said membrane-type closure member is bonded to said container upper end, and further structurally reinforces said membrane-type closure member to improve the peeling operation of said peripheral flange portion from said container upper end and to preclude tearing of said membrane-type closure while peeling and the integrity of said closure member is maintained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container as defined in claim 1, wherein said end closure member is formed of an impervious material, said closure member being hermetically bonded to the upper end of said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A container as defined in claim 1, wherein said container member comprises a composite container body including a fibrous body wall layer and an inner liner layer, the upper end of said container body being reversely curled outwardly; and further wherein the cross-sectional configuration of said closure member flange portion is curved to conform with the outer surface of said reversely curled end of said container member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A container as defined in claim 3, wherein said end closure member includes a layer of metal and means for bonding said closure member to said container member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A container as defined in claim 3, wherein said end closure member includes a layer of synthetic plastic material bonded to said container member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A container as defined in claim 3, wherein said end closure member includes a layer of fibrous material, and further including adhesive means bonding said end closure member to said container member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A container as defined in claim 3, wherein said end closure member further includes a pull tab portion connected with the outer peripheral edge of said annular flange portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A container as defined in claim 3, wherein said central disk portion has a lower elevation than said annular flange portion, whereby when a protective overcap is mounted on the container upper end, a space is defined between the lower surface of the overcap and the central disk portion to permit upward vertical movement of the central disk portion to increase the effective volume of the container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A contaner as defined in claim 1, wherein said trough portion has in transverse cross-section a generally V-shaped configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A container as defined in claim 1, wherein said trough portion has in transverse cross-section a generally flat, horizontal bottom wall connected with the lower edge of said outer side wall, and a generally vertical inner side wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
A membrane-type end closure member for use with composite containers and the like, said closure member being formed from a sheet of thin peelable membrane type lexible material and including (a) an annular flange portion adapted to be bonded to the open upper end of the container; (b) a generally horizontal circular central disk portion; and (c) an annular deformed trough portion connected between said central disk and flange portions, said deformed trough portion including a downwardly converging outer wall, whereby said trough portion strengthens said membrane-type closure and provides axial displacement of said disk portion and structurally reinforces said membrane-type closure member and improves the peelability of flange from said container without tearing said membrane-type closure thereby maintaining the integrity thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
A membrane-type end closure member for use with composite containers and the like, said closure member being formed from a sheet of thin peelable membrane type lexible material and including (a) an annular flange portion adapted to be bonded to the open upper end of the container; (b) a generally horizontal circular central disk portion; and (c) an annular deformed trough portion connected between said central disk and flange portions, said deformed trough portion including a downwardly converging outer wall, whereby said trough portion strengthens said membrane-type closure and provides axial displacement of said disk portion and structurally reinforces said membrane-type closure member and improves the peelability of flange from said container without tearing said membrane-type closure thereby maintaining the integrity thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said trough portion has in transverse cross-section a generally V-shaped configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said trough portion includes in transverse cross-section a generally horizontal flat bottom wall portion, and a generally vertical inner wall portion.
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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) | 1988-12-09 | 1989-06-10 | 1989-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-06-10 | 1993-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-09 | 1997-06-10 | 1997-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |