US4708255A — Closure cap with a linerless seal and a method fo…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 87 words

A method of forming a linerless cap including a seal comprising: molding a cap from plastic having a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending continuous wall for sealing which defines an enclosed area having an upper end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower free end, and engaging said lower free end with an essentially concave surface of a curling tool to curve said end into a curvilinear compressible and resilient free end adapted to be engaged for sealing.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 87 words

A method of forming a linerless cap including a seal comprising: molding a cap from plastic having a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending continuous wall for sealing which defines an enclosed area having an upper end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower free end, and engaging said lower free end with an essentially concave surface of a curling tool to curve said end into a curvilinear compressible and resilient free end adapted to be engaged for sealing.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 1, wherein said engageable curved free end has a cross sectional shape selected from the group consisting of a coil, O, U, J or quarter round.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of forming a cap according to claim 1, wherein said lower free end initially engages an inner segment of said essentially concave surface to form an outwardly curved free end adapted to be engaged for sealing.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of forming a cap according to claim 1, wherein said lower free end initially engages an outer segment of said essentially concave surface to form an inwardly curved free end adapted to be engaged for sealing.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 93 words

A method of forming a linerless cap including a seal comprising: molding a cap from plastic having a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending continuous wall for sealing which defines an enclosed area having an upper end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower free end, and engaging said lower free end with an essentially concave surface of a curling tool to progressively curl said free end as it moves along said essentially concave surface into a compressible and resilient curled free end for sealing.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 93 words

A method of forming a linerless cap including a seal comprising: molding a cap from plastic having a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending continuous wall for sealing which defines an enclosed area having an upper end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower free end, and engaging said lower free end with an essentially concave surface of a curling tool to progressively curl said free end as it moves along said essentially concave surface into a compressible and resilient curled free end for sealing.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 142 words

A method of forming a linerless cap including a seal comprising: molding a cap from plastic having a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending continuous wall for sealing which defines an enclosed area having an upper end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower free end with a rim, and engaging said rim in axial compression with an essentially concave surface of a curling tool to progressively curl said free end as it moves along said essentially concave surface away from said inner depending wall, upwardly and outwardly from said essentially concave surface wherein said rim and adjacent free end continue to curl in response to stresses developed therein while in contact with said essentially concave surface into a compressible and resilient free end for sealing having a cross sectional shape of an "O".

Claim 9

Independent Claim 142 words

A method of forming a linerless cap including a seal comprising: molding a cap from plastic having a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending continuous wall for sealing which defines an enclosed area having an upper end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower free end with a rim, and engaging said rim in axial compression with an essentially concave surface of a curling tool to progressively curl said free end as it moves along said essentially concave surface away from said inner depending wall, upwardly and outwardly from said essentially concave surface wherein said rim and adjacent free end continue to curl in response to stresses developed therein while in contact with said essentially concave surface into a compressible and resilient free end for sealing having a cross sectional shape of an "O".

Claim 10

Independent Claim 143 words

A method of forming a linerless cap including a seal comprising: molding a cap from plastic having a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending continuous wall for sealing which defines an enclosed area having an upper end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower free end with a rim, and engaging said rim in axial compression with an essentially concave surface of a curling tool to progressively curl said free end as it moves along said essentially concave surface away from said inner depending wall, upwardly and outwardly from said essentially concave surface wherein said rim and adjacent free end continue to curl in response to stresses developed therein while in contact with said essentially concave surface into a compressible and resilient free end for sealing having a cross sectional shape of a coiled ring.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 143 words

A method of forming a linerless cap including a seal comprising: molding a cap from plastic having a top wall, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending continuous wall for sealing which defines an enclosed area having an upper end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower free end with a rim, and engaging said rim in axial compression with an essentially concave surface of a curling tool to progressively curl said free end as it moves along said essentially concave surface away from said inner depending wall, upwardly and outwardly from said essentially concave surface wherein said rim and adjacent free end continue to curl in response to stresses developed therein while in contact with said essentially concave surface into a compressible and resilient free end for sealing having a cross sectional shape of a coiled ring.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of forming a cap according to claim 1, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the curling of said lower free end produces stresses in said curled free end wherein its outer curvilinear surface is relatively soft and conformable for sealing engagement and its adjacent curvilinear substrate is relatively strong and resilient.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method according to claim 8, wherein the stresses in said outer curvilinear surface are in a state of tension, and wherein the stresses in said adjacent curvilinear substrate are in a state of compression.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 19 words

The method of claims 1, 5, 6 or 7, comprising molding a cap with a continuous plastic top wall.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 23 words

The method of claims 1, 5, 6 or 7, comprising molding a cap adapted to include a lid portion of a different material.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 11, wherein said lid portion comprises metal.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 19 words

The method of claims 1, 5, 6 or 7, comprising opening the mold prior to curling said free end.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 23 words

The method of claims 1, 5, 6 or 7, comprising removing said molded cap from the mold prior to curving said free end.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 13 words

A cap formed by the method of claims 1, 5, 6 or 7.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 98 words

A linerless cap for a container comprising: a plastic top wall, and a plastic seal within the cap including a continuous wall defining an enclosed area having an end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower curled compressible and resilient free end which extends away from said depending wall and upwardly toward said top wall to provide at least a U-shaped curvilinear free end which includes an arc in radial cross section to provide a curved sealing portion within said arc prior to engagement and which upon engagement is adapted to compress and seal.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 98 words

A linerless cap for a container comprising: a plastic top wall, and a plastic seal within the cap including a continuous wall defining an enclosed area having an end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower curled compressible and resilient free end which extends away from said depending wall and upwardly toward said top wall to provide at least a U-shaped curvilinear free end which includes an arc in radial cross section to provide a curved sealing portion within said arc prior to engagement and which upon engagement is adapted to compress and seal.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 25 words

The cap of claim 16, wherein said curled free end has a cross sectional shape selected from the group consisting of an O or coil.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 14 words

The cap of claim 16, wherein said curled free end is an O ring.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 14 words

The cap of claim 16, wherein said curled free end is a coiled ring.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 13 words

The cap of claim 16, wherein said curled free end is curved inwardly.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 13 words

The cap of claim 16, wherein said curled free end is curved outwardly.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 45 words

The cap of claim 16, wherein said curled free end has an outer curvilinear sealing surface which is in tension and is relatively soft and conformable for sealing engagement and an inner adjacent curvilinear substrate which is in compression and is relatively strong and resilient.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 12 words

The cap of claim 16, wherein the cap is a twist cap.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 12 words

The cap of claim 16, wherein the cap is a snap cap.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 69 words

A linerless cap for a container comprising: a plastic top wall, an outer plastic substantially annular skirt depending from said top wall, and an inner plastic seal having a substantially annular wall integral with and depending from said top wall and a curled compressible and resilient lower free end having an O ring cross sectional shape prior to engagement and which upon engagement is adapted to compress and seal.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 69 words

A linerless cap for a container comprising: a plastic top wall, an outer plastic substantially annular skirt depending from said top wall, and an inner plastic seal having a substantially annular wall integral with and depending from said top wall and a curled compressible and resilient lower free end having an O ring cross sectional shape prior to engagement and which upon engagement is adapted to compress and seal.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 25 words

The cap of claim 25, wherein said O ring seal is selected from the group consisting of a plug seal, rim seal or corner seal.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 44 words

The cap of claim 25, wherein said O ring seal has an outer curvilinear surface which is in tension and is relatively soft and conformable for sealing engagement, and an inner adjacent curvilinear substrate which is in compression and is relatively strong and resilient.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 68 words

A linerless cap for a container comprising: a plastic top wall, an outer plastic annular skirt depending from said top wall, and an inner linerless seal having a substantially annular wall integral with and depending from said top wall and a curled compressible and resilient lower free end having a coiled ring cross sectional shape prior to engagement and which upon engagement is adapted to compress and seal.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 68 words

A linerless cap for a container comprising: a plastic top wall, an outer plastic annular skirt depending from said top wall, and an inner linerless seal having a substantially annular wall integral with and depending from said top wall and a curled compressible and resilient lower free end having a coiled ring cross sectional shape prior to engagement and which upon engagement is adapted to compress and seal.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 25 words

The cap of claim 28, wherein said coil ring seal is selected from the group consisting of a plug seal, rim seal or corner seal.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 45 words

The cap of claim 28, wherein said coiled ring seal has an outer curvilinear sealing surface which is in tension and is relatively soft and conformable for sealing engagement, and an inner adjacent curvilinear substrate which is in compression and is relatively strong and resilient.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 106 words

A linerless cap for a container comprising: a plastic top wall, and a plastic seal within the cap including a continuous wall forming an enclosed area and having an end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower curled compressible and resilient free end which is of substantial uniform thickness, which extends away from said depending wall and which includes an arc in radial cross section of at least 50 degrees to provide a curved sealing portion within said arc prior to engagement that has a relatively soft and conformable outer curvilinear engageable surface which upon engagement is adapted to compress and seal.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 106 words

A linerless cap for a container comprising: a plastic top wall, and a plastic seal within the cap including a continuous wall forming an enclosed area and having an end integral with and extending from said top wall and a lower curled compressible and resilient free end which is of substantial uniform thickness, which extends away from said depending wall and which includes an arc in radial cross section of at least 50 degrees to provide a curved sealing portion within said arc prior to engagement that has a relatively soft and conformable outer curvilinear engageable surface which upon engagement is adapted to compress and seal.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 14 words

The cap of claim 16, 25, 28 or 31 in combination with a container.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 10 words

The container of claim 32, wherein said container comprises plastic.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 10 words

The container of claim 32, wherein said container comprises glass.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-11-23	1991-05-25	1991-11-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-11-23	1995-05-25	1995-11-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-11-23	1999-05-25	1999-11-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Closure cap with a linerless seal and a method for forming such closure and seal

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