US5348184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unitary tamper-evident fitment and closure assembly
Assignee: Portola Packaging Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-14
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Granted: 1994-09-20
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Expires: 2012-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A tamper-evident thermoplastic fitment having a spout and a closure for said spout are welded to a polymer-coated paperboard container or to a flexible plastic container. The fitment and closure are initially molded simultaneously but with a substantial space between the two parts interconnected by an elongated runner which conducts molten plastic from the closure to the fitment. Upon retraction of the core of the mold, the closure is pulled into the spout until shoulders on the parts engage, whereupon the closure is stripped from the mold core. The runner comprises a tear tab which slides through an apertured space on the closure. When the parts engage tangs on the tear tab engage the space, making the assembly tamper-evident. The fitment has a flange which may be welded or otherwise secured to the container. The tab may be pulled by the consumer to open the container. The closure may be unscrewed from the spout or otherwise disengaged.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian M. Adams
- 👤 Daniel Luch
- 👤 Rawson Chenault
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:59
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D5/72; B65D5/74; B65D5/746; B65D5/747; B65D5/749; B65D39/00; B65D39/0005; B65D39/0023; B65D39/0052; B65D39/0076; B65D39/08; B65D39/082; B65D39/084; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/34; B65D41/3404; B65D41/3409; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/06; B65D47/12; B65D47/121; B65D47/36; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/06; B65D75/00; B65D75/52; B65D75/58; B65D75/5861; B65D75/5872; B65D75/5877; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/15; B65D2401/25; B65D2539/00; B65D2539/001; B65D2539/003; B65D2539/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An intermediate product comprising in combination, a cap and a fitment, said cap comprising a top, a skirt depending from said top, means forming an aperture extending outward from said skirt, and first engagement means on said skirt, said skirt having an interior and an exterior, said fitment comprising fastening means for fastening said fitment to a container surrounding a hole formed in said container, a spout defining an orifice extending upward from said fastening means shaped when said cap and fitment are assembled to receive a portion of said skirt and having second engagement means cooperable with said first engagement means to detachably secure said cap and fitment together, said spout having an interior and an exterior, an elongated tab attached to said fitment extending up to at least a bottom edge of said means forming an aperture and located directly beneath and initially attached to said means forming an aperture with a frangible connection, said tab being spaced outwardly of said orifice, said tab comprising a runner for flow of molten plastic from said cap to said fitment during molding of said combination, said skirt being axially aligned with and spaced from said spout prior to assembly of said cap and fitment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An intermediate product comprising in combination, a cap and a fitment, said cap comprising a top, a skirt depending from said top, means forming an aperture extending outward from said skirt, and first engagement means on said skirt, said skirt having an interior and an exterior, said fitment comprising fastening means for fastening said fitment to a container surrounding a hole formed in said container, a spout defining an orifice extending upward from said fastening means shaped when said cap and fitment are assembled to receive a portion of said skirt and having second engagement means cooperable with said first engagement means to detachably secure said cap and fitment together, said spout having an interior and an exterior, an elongated tab attached to said fitment extending up to at least a bottom edge of said means forming an aperture and located directly beneath and initially attached to said means forming an aperture with a frangible connection, said tab being spaced outwardly of said orifice, said tab comprising a runner for flow of molten plastic from said cap to said fitment during molding of said combination, said skirt being axially aligned with and spaced from said spout prior to assembly of said cap and fitment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 wherein said tab extends upward from said fitment through said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 in which said cap and said fitment have mutually engageable first and second tamper-evidencing means respectively, said first and second tamper-evidencing means being shaped and positioned to engage when said cap skirt is seated in said fitment spout, at least one of said first and second tamper-evidencing means being frangible whereby said cap cannot be removed from said spout without fracturing said frangible tamper-evidencing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The intermediate product of claim 3 in which said first tamper-evidencing means is said aperture and said second tamper-evidencing means comprises said tab.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
The intermediate product of claim 4 in which said tab is slidable within said aperture, said tab fitting closely within said aperture, said second tamper-evidencing means further comprising tangs on said tab positioned and shaped to slip through said aperture and engage said means forming an aperture on a side remote from said fitment to restrain separation of said closure from said fitment when said cap and fitment are assembled so long as said tab is attached to said fitment, said tab being connected to said fitment at a second area of weakness.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 wherein said means forming an aperture comprises a flange extending outwardly of said cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 which further comprises internal engagement means on said skirt interior.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The intermediate product of claim 7 which further comprises first and second shoulders on said skirt and said fitment, said shoulders positioned and shaped to engage each other when said skirt is moved into said spout to limit movement of said skirt into said spout.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 in which said first and second engagement means comprise mating threads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The intermediate product of claim 9 in which first engagement means are external threads and said second engagement means are internal threads.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 having first and second seal means, said first seal means comprising a smooth cylindrical surface adjacent a lower end of said skirt and said second seal means comprising a downward-inward extending ring on said interior of said spout to seal against said cylindrical surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 in which said fastening means comprises an outer annular portion shaped and positioned to fit against an underside of said container, an offset portion on an inner edge of said outer annular portion adapted to fit through said hole and an annular rim joining an upper edge of said offset portion to said spout.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 in which said first engagement means comprises a first bead on said exterior of said skirt and said second engagement means comprises a second bead on an interior of said spout positioned to fit tightly over said first bead in an assembled position of said cap and said fitment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 which further comprises a sealing foil attached to said fitment positioned to cover said orifice.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The intermediate product of claim 14 wherein said foil is attached to said fastening means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The intermediate product of claim 15 which further comprises means to assist in rupture of said foil when said cap is initially removed from said spout.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intermediate product of claim 16 wherein said assist means comprise at least one serration located above said foil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The intermediate product of claim 15 wherein said foil is larger than said fastening means, said foil projecting beyond said fastening means whereby said foil may be attached directly to said container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The intermediate product of claim 14 wherein said foil is attached to the bottom edge of said skirt.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intermediate product of claim 1 wherein said first and second engagement means produce a disengageable interference snap engagement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
179 words
In combination, a container, a cap and a fitment, said container being formed with a hole and having an inside and an outside, said cap comprising a top, a skirt depending from said top, means forming an aperture extending outward, and first engagement means on said skirt, said skirt having an interior and an exterior, said fitment comprising fastening means fastening said fitmerit to said container surrounding said hole, a spout extending upward from said fastening means receiving a portion of said skirt and having second engagement means cooperable with said first engagement means to detachably secure said cap and fitment together, an elongated tab attached to said fitment extending through said aperture and attached to said fitment with a frangible connection, said fastening means comprising an outer annular portion having a top surface which fits against an inside surface of said container, an offset portion on a radially inner edge of said outer annular portion fitting upwardly and radially inwardly through said hole and an annular rim joining an upper edge of said offset portion to said spout.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
179 words
In combination, a container, a cap and a fitment, said container being formed with a hole and having an inside and an outside, said cap comprising a top, a skirt depending from said top, means forming an aperture extending outward, and first engagement means on said skirt, said skirt having an interior and an exterior, said fitment comprising fastening means fastening said fitmerit to said container surrounding said hole, a spout extending upward from said fastening means receiving a portion of said skirt and having second engagement means cooperable with said first engagement means to detachably secure said cap and fitment together, an elongated tab attached to said fitment extending through said aperture and attached to said fitment with a frangible connection, said fastening means comprising an outer annular portion having a top surface which fits against an inside surface of said container, an offset portion on a radially inner edge of said outer annular portion fitting upwardly and radially inwardly through said hole and an annular rim joining an upper edge of said offset portion to said spout.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 21 which further comprises a plurality of projections on said offset portion extending outwardly to engage the outside of said container.
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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) | 1997-09-19 | 1998-03-21 | 1998-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-19 | 2002-03-21 | 2002-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-19 | 2006-03-21 | 2006-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |