U.S. patent application number 13/922994 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-26 for scent permeation container seal, container including said seal and methods of making said seal and said container.
The applicant listed for this patent is JUAN E. BRUNA. Invention is credited to JUAN E. BRUNA.
Application Number | 20130341325 13/922994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49773544 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130341325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BRUNA; JUAN E. |
December 26, 2013 |
SCENT PERMEATION CONTAINER SEAL, CONTAINER INCLUDING SAID SEAL AND
METHODS OF MAKING SAID SEAL AND SAID CONTAINER
Abstract
A seal for containers is provided that allows the scent from the
substance within the container to come through, while preventing
leakage of the substance from within the container and/or physical
contact of the substance by the consumer. More particularly, a seal
is provided having at least one slit extending from the top surface
of the seal through the bottom surface of the seal. The at least
one slit will allow a consumer to sniff the scent released through
the slit, while the seal remains secured to the container, thereby
preventing leakage, as well as, contamination, damage and/or
reduced volume caused by consumers sampling the products.
Inventors: |
BRUNA; JUAN E.; (MIAMI,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BRUNA; JUAN E. |
MIAMI |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49773544 |
Appl. No.: |
13/922994 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61662055 |
Jun 20, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/200 ;
156/257; 29/428; 83/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 156/1064 20150115;
Y10T 29/49826 20150115; Y10T 83/04 20150401; B65D 51/20 20130101;
B65D 51/1605 20130101; B65D 43/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/200 ; 29/428;
83/13; 156/257 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02 |
Claims
1. A method or assembling a container, comprising the steps of:
providing a container including a body portion defining an internal
chamber and an opening in communication with said chamber;
providing a substance having a scent into said internal chamber
through said opening; and affixing a seal over the opening,
directly to a lip defining the opening to restrict access to said
substance containing internal chamber, the seal including at least
one slit configured to pass scent from the substance through the
seal.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, after the
affixing step, further providing a cap over the seal.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one slit is at
least three slits arranged in a circle.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein a center of the circle is located
at the center of the seal.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least three slits is six
slits.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the seal is bonded directly to a
mouth of said opening through heat induction.
7. A seal for a container containing a substance having a scent,
comprising: a body; and a plurality of slits extending through said
body, said plurality of slits configured to pass scent from the
substance through the seal while restricting the passage of the
substance through the seal.
8. The seal of claim 7, wherein the body is a one piece, multi
layer body and wherein said plurality of slits extend through all
layers of the one piece multi layer body.
9. The seal of claim 7, further including a permeable material
overlaying at least a portion of said body including said plurality
of slits.
10. The seal of claim 9, wherein said permeable material is a layer
of permeable material laminated to said body.
11. The seal of claim 9, wherein said permeable material is a patch
of permeable material bonded to a surface of said body over said
slits.
12. The seal of claim 7, wherein the plurality of slits is at least
three slits.
13. The seal of claim 9, wherein the at least three slits are
arranged in a circle centered around the center of the seal.
14. The seal of claim 13, wherein the at least three slits are six
slits.
15. The seal of claim 13, further including a permeable material
overlaying at least a portion of said body including said plurality
of slits.
16. A container including a body defining an internal cavity
accessible through an opening defined by a circumferential lip, the
container including a seal according to claim 7 bonded directly to
the lip over the opening.
17. A method for making a seal, comprising the steps of: providing
a bulk seal material; making a plurality of slits through the seal
material, the plurality of slits configured in a circle; and after
the slit making step, forming the seal from the seal material.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bulk seal material is a
multi-layered seal material.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of
laminating a permeable material to one side of the bulk seal
material after the slit making step but before the seal forming
step.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to: co-pending
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/662,055, filed on Jun. 20,
2012, entitled "CONTAINER SEAL"; that application being
incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a seal for a container and,
more particularly, to a seal for a container holding a cream, gel,
powder liquid or other substance that allows the scent of the
substance in the container to permeate the seal while preventing
leakage of the substance within the container.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Seals have been commonly used on containers for many years,
to prevent leakage or contamination of the substance within the
container. For example, seals are used to prevent leakage or
contamination on containers containing cosmetics, foods, drinks,
medicines and other items in the form of creams, gels, powders,
liquids and other substances. Seals used for this purpose are
typically placed either within the cap on the container or over the
opening on the container.
[0006] However, many products are sold today without seals because
consumers need to smell the scent prior to purchasing the product
and there is no commercially viable seal on the market today that
allows consumers to do so. Specifically, prior art seals are
essentially hermetic seals that trap the scent of the product
within the container, as well as preventing leakage of the product
from the container. These prior art hermetic seals may also result
in pressure build-up within the container that may cause the
container to expand and collapse based on changes in the
surrounding environmental conditions. Although venting seals have
been developed to address the pressure build-up problem, these
venting seals do not provide the ability to smell the scent of the
product in a cost effective manner.
[0007] However, consumers want to smell items having a fragrance,
such as lotions, creams, body washes, shampoos, deodorants,
perfumes, laundry detergents, air fresheners, coffee and spices,
before purchasing the items. As a result, these items are often
sold in containers without seals so that consumers can remove the
cap and smell the item prior to purchase.
[0008] It is not uncommon for consumers to go beyond simply
removing the cap and smelling the item, by actually applying some
of the product onto their body to sample the product and its
fragrance. In so doing, the consumer may stick their fingers into
the substance or on the opening where the substance comes out.
Oftentimes, after sampling the product, the consumer closes the cap
and returns the container to the shelf in the store.
[0009] This sampling of the product causes several problems. First,
by placing their fingers into the substance and/or coming in
contact with the opening where the substance comes out, the sampler
may be contaminating the substance and spreading germs/bacteria.
Additionally, each time a consumer samples the product and then
returns it to the shelf, the volume of the substance within the
container decreases. As a result, the consumer that eventually
purchases the product is unknowingly purchasing less than a full
container of a product that may have been contaminated and/or
contain germs/bacteria.
[0010] From the retailer's perspective, consumers that sample
products and then return them to the shelf sometimes do not place
the cap on tightly, which may result in spillage if the container
is tilted or falls on its side. The possibility of spillage
occurring during transportation also increases due to the absence
of a seal. Additionally, the shelf life of the substance within the
container may be reduced or altered by the absence of a seal on the
container or having been opened and exposed to the surrounding
environmental conditions by a sampling consumer prior to sale.
Also, the absence of a seal on a container may result in the
substance contacting and/or accumulating within the cap on the
container, which may cause spillage when the cap is removed and a
less appealing presentation to the consumer. Further, the absence
of a seal increases the chances that a product may be tampered with
or tainted prior to sale to the consumer. These situations may
result in the retailer being unable to sell the product, generating
product returns, damaged or charge-backs, which will have an
adverse effect on the retailer's financial performance and/or the
financial performance of the product manufacturer and/or
distributor, or could potentially cause harm to the consumer
purchasing the product.
[0011] There have been some attempts over the years to address this
problem. Specifically, one product utilizes a
polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane in a section of the liner
to allow the scent from the product stored in the container to come
through, while preventing leakage of the substance from within the
container. One such induction liner is made by PERFORMANCE
SYSTEMATIX INC. However, this product has not proved to be a
commercially viable solution because it requires a complex
manufacturing process to embed the ePTFE membrane within a cutout
section of the liner and the cost is significantly greater than
conventional seal liners.
[0012] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a seal for
containers that allows the scent from the substance within the
container to come through, offering a tamper evident solution,
while maintaining product integrity and preventing leakage of the
substance within the container. Any such seal should be capable of
use with any type of container and any type of substance stored
within the container. Such seal should be further capable of being
manufactured using conventional seal manufacturing processes and
technologies. Such seal should also be capable of being
manufactured at a cost comparable to the cost of current
conventional seals. The present invention is particularly suited to
overcome those problems which remain in the art in a manner not
previously known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is directed towards a seal for
containers that allows the scent from the substance within the
container to come through, while preventing leakage of the
substance within the container and/or physical contact with the
underlying substance by the consumer.
[0014] In one particular embodiment of the invention, a one piece,
multi-layer induction seal having at least one slit extending from
the top surface of the seal through the bottom surface of the seal
is provided. The at least one slit will allow a consumer to sniff
the scent emitted through the slit(s), while the seal remains
secured to the container, thereby providing a tamper evident seal
that prevents leakage, as well as, contamination, damage and/or
reduced volume caused by consumers sampling the products.
[0015] Other features, which are considered as characteristic for
the invention, are set forth in the drawings and the appended
claims.
[0016] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a scent permeation container seal, it is
nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since
various modifications and structural changes may be made therein
without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the
scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0017] The construction of the invention, together with additional
objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the
following description of the specific embodiments when read in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings an exemplary embodiment that is presently
preferred, it being understood however, that the invention is not
limited to the specific methods and instrumentality's disclosed.
Additionally, like reference numerals represent like items
throughout the drawings. In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a partial exploded view of a seal positioned
between the mouth of a container and a removable, threaded cap of
the container in accordance with one particular embodiment of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of a seal positioned
between the mouth of a container and a dispensing closure in
accordance with another particular embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container having a seal in
accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention
secured over the mouth of the container;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a seal in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a partial perspective view of a seal in
accordance with another particular embodiment of the invention
sealed to the mouth of a container;
[0024] FIG. 5B is a partial exploded view of a seal positioned
between the mouth of a container and a dispensing closure in
accordance with another particular embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 6A is a plan view taken from one of the top or the
bottom of a seal in accordance with a further particular embodiment
of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 6B is a plan view of the seal of FIG. 6A taken from the
other one of the top or the bottom of a seal;
[0027] FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of the slits of the seal of
FIGS. 6A and 6B;
[0028] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a seal in accordance with
another particular embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a sheet useful in manufacturing
seals in accordance with one particular embodiment of the
invention; and
[0030] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate strips useful in
manufacturing seals in accordance with other embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of the particular
arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other
embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose
of description and not of limitation.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1-5B, there will be described a scent
releasing seal 10, 10', 10'' in accordance with certain particular
embodiments of the present invention. The seal 10, 10', 10'' are
structured to be secured to a container 20 over its mouth or
opening 22. In accordance with the principles of the present
invention, the seal 10, 10', 10'' may be used on containers 20
containing foods, drinks, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals,
cosmetics, confectionery, household products, air care and other
items in the form of creams, gels, powders, liquids and other
substances, so as to permit the scent of the product to be released
through the seal, without providing direct access to the
product.
[0033] The seal 10, 10', 10'' is a generally circular and may
include one (seal 10') or more (seal 10'') tabs 18 around the
circumferential edge thereof. The seal 10, 10', 10'' is affixed to
the mouth 22 of the container 20, but can be peeled off to access
the contents of the container 20. In one particular embodiment, the
seal 10, 10', 10'' is sealed over the mouth 22 of the container 20
and can be peeled off using a fingernail or, in embodiments having
a tab 18 (seals 10', 10'') by grasping a tab 18 between the thumb
and forefinger to facilitate removal of the seal 10', 10'' from the
mouth 22 of the container 20.
[0034] Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, it
is desired that the seal 10, 10', 10'' include at least one slit 12
for permitting the scent of the product contained within the
container 20 to pass through the seal 10, 10', 10'' without
breaking the bond between the seal 10, 10', 10'' and the
circumferential edge of the mouth 22. Thus, the scent can exit
through the seal, but a consumer's fingers cannot pass through the
mouth 22 to the product below. As can be seen from FIGS. 1-5B, the
seal 10, 10', 10'' of the present invention can be used with
different types of containers 20 and caps 40, such as a threaded
cap (FIGS. 1 and 3), snap-closed cap (FIG. 2), or other types of
caps know in the industry. As discussed above, the seal 10, 10',
10'' is bonded to the circumferential edge of the container 20 over
the mouth 22, and the cap is closed thereover.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5B, in accordance with one
particular embodiment of the invention, the seal 10, 10', 10''
includes a plurality of slits 12. In the present particular
embodiment, the seal 10, 10', 10'' includes three slits 12,
arranged in a circular configuration at the center of the seal 10,
10', 10''. Note, however, that the seal of the present invention is
not meant to be limited to only this number of slits or this
configuration of slits, as more or fewer slits may be used in any
desired configuration and/or location. For example, in one
particular embodiment, two or more parallel slits could be provided
through the seal in matched or offset pattern. The slits 12 extend
from the top surface 14 of the seal 10, 10', 10'', though the body
of the seal, to the bottom surface 16 of the seal 10, 10',
10''.
[0036] Additionally, in one particular embodiment of the invention,
the seal 10, 10', 10'' is of a one piece, multi-layer construction,
as shown in connection with the seal 10' of FIG. 4. More
particularly, in one embodiment of the invention, the seal 10, 10',
10'' includes a polyester film top layer 10a, a layer of EPE foam
10b, a layer of aluminum foil 10c and a sealing layer 10d. It
should be noted, however, that more or fewer layers, or layers of
other materials than listed herein, may be used without departing
from the spirit of the present invention.
[0037] Referring back to FIG. 4, The seal 10' (and/or 10, 10'', as
desired) includes at least one slit 12. For purposes of example
only, three slits 12 will be described. The slits 12 extend from
the top surface 14 of the top layer 10a and through all of the
other layers 10b, 10c, 10d, including through the bottom surface 16
of the sealing layer 10d. In another particular embodiment, the
slits 12 extend through fewer than all of the layers, for example,
if permeation is possible through one or more of the layers. For
example, in one particular embodiment, the sealing layer 10d may
permit permeation and, thus, would not need to be pierced by the
slits 12. The length, width, depth and angle of the slits 12 are
structured to allow the scent of the substance within the container
20 to permeate through the slits 12 and to substantially prevent
leakage out from the slits 12 by the substance or product within
the container 20. The length, width, depth and angle of the slits
12 may vary depending upon the substance to be placed within the
container 20 and the sniff test requirements and/or leak tests of
the product manufacturer. For example, the slits 12 may be larger
for creams and gels than for substances of a lower viscosity or a
more liquid nature. In addition, the number and depth of slits 12
may vary depending upon the strength of the fragrance within the
container 20. For example, only one slit 12 may be used for
containers 20 holding more fragrant substances, whereas multiple
slits 12 may be used for containers 20 holding less fragrant
substances, so that the less fragrant substance has a greater
opportunity to permeate the seal 10 and be sensed on the outside of
the container 20.
[0038] The container 20 may be composed of any materials now known
or later developed that are capable of having a tamper evident,
removable seal secured to the container 20 and that are suitable
for storage of the substance being sold. In one preferred
embodiment, the container 20 is composed of polyethylene or
polypropylene, PET or PVC, and the seal 10 is secured to the
container 20 by conduction or heat induction. In another
embodiment, the container 20 is glass and the seal is secured to
the container 20 by an adhesive, conduction or heat induction.
However, it should be appreciated that the seal 10 may be secured
to the container 20 by any means now known or later developed,
including, but not limited to heat induction sealing, conduction
sealing, gluing, contact adhesive, etc. Once the seal 10, 10', 10''
has been secured over the mouth 22 of the container 20, a cap 40 is
secured to the container 20 over the seal 10, 10', 10''. In one
particular embodiment of the invention, the cap 40 is a removable
continuous thread closure. However, this is not meant to be
limiting, as the seal 10, 10', 10'' can be used with any type of
container 20 and closure 40, and for any type of substance stored
within the container 20.
[0039] A consumer interested in the product stored within the
container 20 may remove the cap 40 and smell the scent of the
stored product released through the slits 12 in the seal 10, 10',
10'', without removing the seal 10, 10', 10'' and without sampling,
tampering with, contaminating and/or spilling the product.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, there is shown another
embodiment of seal 100 that can be used in the present invention.
Like seals 10, 10', 10'' of FIGS. 1-4, the seal 100 includes a seal
body 110, including slits 112. In the present preferred embodiment
shown, the seal 100 includes six slits 112 arranged in a circular
configuration centered around the center of the seal body 110,
which contributes to leak performance. Note that, if desired, more
or fewer slits may be used, and they can be used in different
locations than around the center, if desired, without departing
from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Additionally, it
should be understood that each of the seals 10, 10', 10'' could be
made having six slits arranged in configuration shown in FIGS.
6B-6C without departing from the spirit or scope of the present
invention.
[0041] In the present preferred embodiment, the seal body 110 is
made in the manner described in connection with the seal 10' of
FIG. 4. More particularly, the seal 110 is of a one piece,
multi-layer construction. In one particular embodiment, the seal
110 includes one or more of a polyester film top layer, a layer of
EPE foam, a layer of aluminum foil and a sealing layer. The six
slits 112 extend from a first face 111 of the seal body 110 to the
second face 113 of the seal body 110. Additionally, a permeable
material 120 is bonded to (i.e., with adhesive, heat or other
laminating process, etc.) one of the faces 111 of the seal 110,
over the slits 112. Preferably, the permeable material 120 is an
FDA approved permeable material. In one particular embodiment, the
permeable material is or includes spun bonded polyolefin.
Additionally, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the
face 111 including the permeable material 120 is the top face of
the seal 110 while the face 113 is the bottom face. In another
particular embodiment of the invention, the face 111 including the
permeable material 120 is the bottom face of the seal 110, while
the face 113 is the top face.
[0042] For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention,
the seal body 110 includes a polyester film top layer, a layer of
EPE foam, a layer of aluminum foil and a sealing layer, with slits
112 extending through the body 110 from the film layer to the
sealing layer, and the permeable material is bonded to the
polyester film top layer, over the slits 112. In another particular
embodiment of the invention, the seal body 110 includes a polyester
film top layer, a layer of EPE foam and a layer of aluminum foil
having a ring of adhesive on the outer diameter of the circle
defined by the slits, in order to bond a patch or permeable
material over the circle of slits. Accordingly, in the multi-layer
embodiment discussed above, a patch of the permeable material 120
may be bonded over the slits 112 on one of the polyester film top
layer or the bottom most layer, as desired.
[0043] Alternately, an entire layer of permeable material 160 may
be laminated to the top or bottom face of a slitted seal body, if
desired. For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 7, a layer of permeable material 160 is laminated to
one face of a one-piece, multilayer seal body 10', over the slits
12, to form a seal 170.
[0044] Note that, it is desired that the slits 12, 112 do not
extend through the permeable layer 120, 160, respectively.
Consequently, the permeable layer 120, 160 provides further
protection against leakage of the product through the slits 12,
112.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 6B and 6C, one particularly preferred
embodiment of the slits 112 will be described. More particularly,
the slits 112 are formed through all layers of the multi-layer
seal, preferably at the center of the seal 100. The number of
slits, slit size and slit arrangement can be adjusted based on the
size of the seal 100.
[0046] One particular examples of a seal 100 will now be given.
However, it should be understood that the following dimensions are
for exemplary purposes, only, and that the present invention is not
limited only to the dimensions given in these examples.
Example 1
[0047] In one particular embodiment of the invention, a seal 100 is
made having a circumference (including tabs) of about 56.30 mm. For
such a seal 100, it is preferred that between three and nine slits
are provided for releasing the scent of the product. In one
particularly preferred embodiment, the seal 100 has six slits, as
shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. In another preferred embodiment, shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, the seal has three slits. In the present example, it
is preferred that each slit has a length L of between 2.5 and 6 mm.
More preferably, the length of each slit is 3 mm. Additionally, in
the present embodiment, each slit has a width of between
0.0025-0.01 mm, with 0.005 mm being most preferred. In the present
example, the circumference .phi. of the circle in which the six
slits are arranged is between 10-20 mm, with 16 mm being most
preferred. Additionally, in the present example, it is preferred
that the radial angle .alpha. that each slit extends about the
center of the circle of slits be between 17.5.degree.-42.5.degree..
In one particularly preferred embodiment, it is most preferred that
a be 21.59.degree..
[0048] It should additionally be understood that the present
invention is also directed towards a method of manufacturing a
seal, such as, seal 10, 10', 10'', 100, 170. In a preferred
embodiment, the seal 10, 10', 10'', 100, 170 is manufactured using
rotary, flat or laser die cutting to control the size and shape of
the seal and the length, width, depth and angle of the slit 12
during the manufacturing process. It should be appreciated,
however, that other die cutting methods now known or later
developed may alternatively be used within the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a sheet of bulk seal
material 200 from which a plurality of individual seals 210 are cut
or punched. For embodiments that include multiple layers of
material (for example, the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 7), sheet 200
is assembled as a one-piece, multi-layer sheet prior to cutting
and/or punching the seals 210 from the sheet. Thus, in that
embodiment, the sheet 200 is formed from its individual sheets,
first, and then the seals 210 are formed from the composite
sheet.
[0050] Similarly, referring now to FIGS. 9A-9C, seals in accordance
with the present invention can be made from strips 220, 230, 240 of
composite, multi-layered materials that are fed through a
punch/lining machine to form the seal. In the example of FIG. 9A,
reels of strips 220, are pre-cut or punched to include the slits
224, which are spaced to be centered in each seal finally cut from
the strips. Registration marks 222 are used by the cutting machine
to align the strips and cut or punch both the slits 224 and the
final seals including the slits 224. Similarly, FIG. 9B shows a
multi-layer strip 230 in which the slits are pre-cut or punched in
a position determined using the registration marks 232, and a patch
236 of permeable material is maintained over the slits by an
adhesive ring or weld 234. FIG. 9C shows a seal material strip 240
in which the slits 224 were pre-cut or punched and a layer of
permeable material 244 was laminated over the strip. Again,
registration marks 242 help align the strips to ensure that the
slits 224 (overlaid by the permeable material 244) are centered in
the final seal cut or punched from the strip 240.
[0051] The seal of the present invention provides a simple, cost
effective solution that will allow consumers to sample the scent of
a product while the seal remains secured to the container. As a
result, manufacturers currently selling products without seals will
now be able to include seals on their containers and receive the
benefits that seals provide, including maintaining product
integrity, making the seal tamper evident, preventing leakage,
preventing products from being contaminated and/or damaged by
consumers sampling the products and reducing the volume of
unsalable products resulting from leakage, contamination and
damage.
[0052] As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention
provides a seal for containers that allows the scent from the
substance within the container to come through, while preventing
leakage of the substance within the container. Such a seal can be
used with any type of container and with any type of substance or
product stored within the container. Additionally, It should be
appreciated that the present invention may utilize other seal
designs, materials and configurations now known or later developed
that are capable of being removably secured to a container and
preventing leakage of the substance within the container, without
departing from the spirit of the invention. More particularly, it
should be appreciated that the seals of the present invention may
be embodied in a wide range of structures and designs, and may be
suitable for use with many different types of containers.
[0053] Because the seals 10, 10', 10'', 110, 170 of the present
invention are capable of use with many different designs, materials
and configurations known in the seal industry and may be
manufactured and supplied to container manufacturers as precut
discs and/or in rolls consistent with current practices, it can be
utilized by closure and container manufacturers and end users using
existing lining, sealing and capping equipment and current
manufacturing processes and technologies. Additionally, because the
seal 10 of the present invention may be manufactured using current,
commonly used seal designs, materials and constructions and does
not require any specialty equipment or manufacturing processes, it
is inexpensive to manufacture and can be readily incorporated into
the closure and container manufacturing processes. Further, it can
be seen that a seal in accordance with the present invention can be
manufactured at a cost comparable the cost of current conventional
seals.
[0054] While the invention has been described, disclosed,
illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or
modifications, which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the
invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be,
limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may
be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved,
especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the
claims.
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