U.S. patent application number 10/586722 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for overcap for a container.
Invention is credited to William M. Heyn.
Application Number | 20090065467 10/586722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34807058 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090065467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heyn; William M. |
March 12, 2009 |
OVERCAP FOR A CONTAINER
Abstract
An overcap (30, 40, 60, 70, 80, 140) for a container (10, 50,
90) closed by a flexible end panel (18, 54, 98) is snapped or
twisted or threaded onto the container to lie closely adjacent to
the flexible end panel for reducing the possibility of the end
panel being separated from the container incident to retorting or
impact loading. The underside of the overcap may be provided with
one or more depending annular rings or leg members (38, 46, 64, 66,
76, 146) to be placed closely adjacent to or in contact with the
flexible end panel to preclude undesirable movement thereof.
Inventors: |
Heyn; William M.; (New
Canaan, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William H. Holt;Law Offices of William H. Holt
12311 Harbor Drive
Woodbridge
VA
22192
US
|
Family ID: |
34807058 |
Appl. No.: |
10/586722 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
January 18, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2005/001665 |
371 Date: |
November 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60536843 |
Jan 16, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/317 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00435
20130101; B65D 51/20 20130101; B65D 2251/0096 20130101; B65D
43/0212 20130101; B65D 43/0231 20130101; B65D 2543/00527 20130101;
B65D 2543/0074 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00092
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2543/00638 20130101; B65D
2251/0018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/317 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/16 20060101
B65D041/16 |
Claims
1. An overcap 30 for use with a container 10 having a flexible end
panel 18 closing one end thereof, said overcap including a
peripheral depending skirt portion 32 for adjustably positioning
said overcap on an associated container, said overcap characterized
by a central portion (36, 38) inwardly of said skirt portion being
shaped to lie closely adjacent to the flexible end panel of the
associated container for reducing the possibility of the end panel
from being separated from the container during retorting and/or
impact loading.
2. An overcap as defined in claim 1 wherein said overcap is
provided with an annular ring means depending from an underside of
said central portion for providing rigidity to said overcap and
being disposed to contact the end panel of an associated container
for restraining movement thereof.
3. An overcap as defined in claim 2 in combination with a container
having a flexible end panel heat sealed along its periphery to a
surface of said container, and said overcap including at least one
ring member engaging said end panel around its periphery for
securing said end panel to said container.
4. An overcap as defined in claim 3 wherein said overcap includes
depending means engaging said end panel inwardly of said peripheral
portion for minimizing outward movement of said end panel.
5. An overcap as defined in claim 4 wherein said depending means
are comprised of leg members integrally molded with said overcap
and depending therefrom.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to improved overcaps for use in
conjunction with a container of the type having an end closure in
the form of a flexible end panel secured, sealed or otherwise
attached to the container along a peripheral portion of the end
panel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known in the prior art to provide overlaps for
contains of the type including food and/or beverage products, and
the like, primarily for the purpose of maintaining cleanliness of
the container end panel prior to opening thereof and such overcaps
may also be used for re-closing an opened container for precluding
contamination and/or spillage and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to an overcap for a container
of the type including a closure having a flexible end panel. The
overcap is snapped onto, or twisted onto, or threaded onto the
associated container for lying closely adjacent to the flexible end
panel for reducing the possibility of the end panel becoming
separated from the container incident to retorting or impact
loading, such as by mishandling or dropping of the container. The
underside of the overcap may be provided with one or more depending
annular ring members or depending leg members formed integral with
the overcap and to be placed closely adjacent to or in contact with
the flexible end panel of the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0004] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing a container
having a double seamed ring member secured thereto along an upper
rim thereof and including a flexible end panel secured to a flange
portion of the ring member, and a flexible, thermoplastic overcap
for protecting the container and its end panel.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view, similar to FIG. 1
showing the wall of a container formed of thermoplastic material in
the conventional shape known as a tub.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view, similar to FIG. 1
showing a further embodiment of overcap including a horizontal
upper surface and a plurality of depending, annular rings or leg
members disposed closely adjacent to the flexible end panel of the
container closure.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view, similar to FIGS. 1
and 3, showing a further embodiment wherein the overcap has a
horizontal upper surface and includes a singular annular ring
member for engaging or lying closely adjacent to the flexible end
panel.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view, of a further
embodiment wherein a central portion of the overcap is depressed to
lie in contact with, or closely adjacent to, the flexible end panel
of a container.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a further embodiment of the invention wherein the
skirt portion of the overcap is provided with a detent or
protrusion for cooperating with a groove or threaded portion
located within a flange at the upper margin of the container
wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, fragmentary portion of an annular
container body, generally indicated by the numeral 10 includes a
container wall 12 which is provided at its upper rim thereof with
an annular ring member 14 double seamed to the container wall 12
and including an inwardly directed annular flange portion 16 for
sealing engagement with an end closure comprised of a flexible end
panel 18. A flexible, thermoplastic overcap, generally indicated by
the numeral 30, is pressed or snapped over the container seam such
that a depending skirt portion 32 and held in place by an annular,
or interrupted, detent 34. Overcap 30 includes a central panel
portion 36 for completely covering the upper surface of container
10. An important part of the invention is comprised of an annular
ring or leg member 38 integrally molded with and depending from
central panel portion 36 to lie closely adjacent to, or in contact
with, end panel 18 of container 10. When assembled as in FIG. 1,
overcap 30 not only protects the container from debris and other
contamination, but has the desirable effect that ring member 38
precludes excess upward movement of end panel 18 either during a
retort operation or impact loading caused by excess internal
pressure resulting from mishandling and/or droppage.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a similar embodiment wherein an overcap,
generally indicated by the numeral 40, includes a depending skirt
portion 42 having a detent 44 securing the overcap 40 upon a
container wall 50 which includes an outwardly directed flange
portion 52 having a flexible end panel 54 adhesively or heat sealed
thereto. Overcap 40 is provided with an integrally molded,
downwardly depending, annular ring or leg member 46 for engaging
with or lying closely adjacent to the flexible end panel 54 for
minimizing upward flexure thereof.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention
wherein container 10 is protected by an overcap 60, the overcap 60
including a first annular ring member 64 integrally formed with
overcap 60 and depending downwardly to engage end panel 18 in the
sealing area where the end panel 18 is affixed to flange portion
16. A second annular ring member, or intermittent leg member 66 is
provided for lying closely adjacent to, or in contact with a
central portion of end panel 18 for minimizing upward movement of
the flexible end panel 18, thereby minimizing or precluding peeling
of the end panel 18 from the flange portion 16.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a further embodiment of the invention, similar to
FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 3, wherein an overcap 70 is provided with a
depending skirt portion 72 for holding the overcap upon the
container 10 and includes a horizontal, flat surface 74 for ease in
stacking a plurality of containers. A depending, annular ring or
leg member 76 is integrally molded with overcap 70 and depends
closely adjacent to or in contact with container end panel 18 for
minimizing upward movement thereof.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention
wherein thermoplastic, flexible overcap 80 includes a depending
skirt portion 82 for securing the overcap 80 upon container 10.
Overcap 80 is provided with a central, recessed panel portion 84
disposed closely adjacent to, or in contact with, end panel 18,
thereby providing increased protection against upward movement of
flexible end panel 18.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention
wherein a plastic tub, generally indicated by the numeral 90,
includes an annular container wall 92 having an enlarged or
thickened rim portion 94 at the upper rim thereof and has formed
therein a helical groove or threaded portion 96. An overcap 140 has
a depending skirt portion 142 which includes a detent 144 disposed
within the helical groove or threaded portion 96 thereby providing
an adjustable attachment wherein overcap 140 can be tightened upon
or screwed down upon container 90 thereby allowing an annular ring
or leg member 146 to engage against flexible end panel 98 for
minimizing upward movement thereof.
[0016] In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that several
embodiments have been disclosed for overcaps for containers, but it
should be understood that the foregoing descriptions are by way of
illustration, and the invention is not necessarily limited thereto.
Modifications and variations will be apparent from the disclosure
and may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the
invention as those of skill in the art will readily understand.
Accordingly, such variations and modifications are considered to be
within the purview and scope of the invention as defined in the
following claimed subject matter.
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