IP Library Granted Patent US 11,453,535
Granted Patent B2
US 11,453,535 · App. 17/315,920 · Granted Sep 27, 2022

Selectively openable closure for a container

Inventors: Samuel G. Telschow (Evansville, IN); Scott L. Fisher (Evansville, IN); Kelsey Coffey (Evansville, IN)
Assignee: Berry Global, Inc.
B65D50/061B05B11/0037B05B11/3059
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,453,535
App. No.
17/315,920
Granted
Sep 27, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A closure for a container, and more specifically a closure that is selectively openable and/or lockable providing, for example, one or more child resistant opening features is disclosed.

Claims (52)

1. A package, comprising:

a container having a side wall and a bottom, the side wall and bottom at least partially defining a product storage region;

a pump configured to dispense product from the product storage region, the pump extending away from the container bottom in a first direction from a pump inlet to a dispensing outlet;

a closure configured to cooperate with the container to enclose the pump, the closure having a cover and a side wall blocking access to the pump when the closure is in a closed position;

wherein the closure side wall depends axially from the closure cover, the closure cover and closure side wall define a closure interior, and the pump extends in the first direction into the closure interior when the closure is in the closed position;

a collar disposed circumferentially around the pump and disposed axially between the dispensing outlet and the container bottom;

wherein the closure includes at least one locking tab and the collar includes at least one blocking tab and at least one slot, wherein the at least one slot is configured to allow axial movement of the at least one locking tab through it when the closure is in an unlocked position and the at least one blocking tab is configured to block axial movement of the at least one locking tab past it in the first direction when the closure is in a locked position;

wherein the closure is movable by a first user input between the locked position and the unlocked position;

wherein the closure is movable in the first direction by a second user input from the closed position to an open position when the closure is in the unlocked position, and movement of the closure by the second user input from the closed position to the open position is substantially blocked when in the locked position;

wherein the closure side wall includes at least one flute; and

wherein the closure includes at least one tab opening formed in a lower end of the at least one flute adjacent a closure rim, wherein the at least on tab opening is disposed adjacent and in axial alignment with at least one locking tab.

2. The package of claim 1 , wherein the closure is movable between the locked position and the unlocked position by rotation about an axis of the closure relative to the collar.

3. The package of claim 1 , wherein the closure is movable between the closed position and the open position by movement in the first direction.

4. A package, comprising:

a container having a side wall and a bottom, the side wall and bottom at least partially defining a product storage region;

a closure configured to cooperate with the container to enclose the product storage region, the closure having a cover and a side wall blocking access to the product storage region when the closure is in a closed position;

wherein the closure side wall depends axially from the closure cover, and the closure cover and closure side wall cooperate to define a closure interior;

a collar coupled to the container and disposed between the container side wall and the closure side wall when the closure is in the closed position;

wherein the closure includes a first locking tab and a second locking tab;

wherein the collar includes at least one blocking tab, a first slot, and a second slot, wherein the first slot is configured to allow axial movement of the first locking tab through it in a first direction and the second slot is configured to allow axial movement of the second locking through it in the first direction when the closure is in an unlocked position;

wherein the at least one blocking tab is configured to block axial movement of the first locking tab and the second locking tab past it in the first direction when the closure is in a locked position;

wherein the closure is movable by a first user input between the locked position and the unlocked position;

wherein the closure is movable by a second user input in the first direction from the closed position to an open position when the closure is in the unlocked position, and movement of the closure by the second user input from the closed position to the open position is substantially blocked when in the locked position; and

wherein the first locking tab is configured such that it can pass axially through the first slot but not the second slot.

5. The package of claim 4 , wherein the first locking tab has at least one of a length that is greater than a length of the second slot and a width that is greater than the width of the second slot.

6. The package of claim 4 ,

wherein the first locking tab has a first tab shape, the first slot has a first slot shape, the second locking tab has a second tab shape, and the second slot has a second slot shape; and

wherein the first tab shape, the first slot shape, and the second slot shape are configured such that the first tab can pass axially through the first slot but not the second slot.

7. The package of claim 4 , further comprising an unlocked indicium on at least one of the closure and the collar, wherein the unlocked indicium is configured to indicate when the closure is in the unlocked position.

8. A child resistant pump closure combination, comprising:

a pump configured to dispense product through a dispensing outlet, the pump extending axially in a first direction from a pump inlet to a dispensing outlet;

the pump including a push button configured to be actuated by a user to dispense product through the pump and the dispensing outlet;

a closure configured to enclose the pump, the closure having a cover and a side wall blocking access to the pump when the closure is in a closed position;

wherein the closure side wall depends axially from the closure cover in a second direction opposite the first direction, the closure cover and closure side wall define a closure interior, and the pump extends in the first direction into the closure interior when the closure is in the closed position;

a collar disposed circumferentially around the pump and disposed axially below the dispensing outlet in the second direction away from the closure cover when the closure is in the closed position;

wherein the closure includes a first locking tab and a second locking tab;

wherein the collar includes at least one blocking tab, a first slot, and a second slot, wherein the first slot is configured to allow axial movement of the first locking tab through it in the first direction and the second slot is configured to allow axial movement of the second locking through it in the first direction when the closure is in an unlocked position;

wherein the at least one blocking tab is configured to block axial movement of the first locking tab and the second locking tab past it in the first direction when the closure is in a locked position;

wherein the closure is movable by a first user input between the locked position and the unlocked position;

wherein the closure is movable by a second user input in the first direction from the closed position to an open position when the closure is in the unlocked position, and movement of the closure by the second user input from the closed position to the open position is substantially blocked when in the locked position; and

wherein the first locking tab is configured such that it can pass axially through the first slot but not the second slot, and the second locking tab is configured such that it can pass axially through the second slot but not the first slot.

9. The child resistant pump closure combination of claim 8 , wherein the first locking tab has at least one of a length that is greater than a length of the second slot and a width that is greater than the width of the second slot.

10. The child resistant pump closure combination of claim 9 , wherein the second locking tab has at least one of a length that is greater than a length of the first slot and a width that is greater than the width of the first slot.

11. The child resistant pump closure combination of claim 8 ,

wherein the first locking tab has a first tab shape, the first slot has a first slot shape, the second locking tab has a second tab shape, and the second slot has a second slot shape;

wherein the first tab shape, the first slot shape, and the second slot shape are configured such that the first tab can pass axially through the first slot but not the second slot in the first direction; and

wherein the second tab shape, the first slot shape, and the second slot shape are configured such that the second tab can pass axially through the second slot but not the first slot in the first direction.

12. The child resistant pump closure combination of claim 8 , further comprising a third locking tab on the closure and a third slot on the collar, wherein the third slot is configured to allow axial movement of the third locking tab through it in the first direction when the closure is in an unlocked position.

13. The child resistant pump closure combination of claim 12 , wherein the third locking tab is configured such that it can pass axially through the third slot but not the first slot.

14. The child resistant pump closure combination of claim 13 , wherein the first slot, second slot, and third slot are formed in the locking tab and are angularly spaced apart about an axis of the collar.

15. The child resistant pump closure combination of claim 14 , wherein the first slot is spaced apart from the second slot by about 120 degrees, and the second slot is spaced apart from the third slot by about 120 degrees.

16. The child resistant pump closure combination of claim 15 , wherein the first locking tab is angularly spaced apart from the second locking tab by about 120 degrees about an axis of the closure, the second locking tab is angularly spaced apart from the third locking tab by about 120 degrees, and the closure and the collar are substantially coaxial when the closure is in the closed position relative to the collar.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071168/0495 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded May 5, 2025
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH (SUCCESSOR TO CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH), AS TERM LOAN COLLATERAL AGENT; BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ABL COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS, LLC (F/K/A AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.); BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION; BERRY PLASTICS FILMCO, INC.; BERRY PLASTICS HOLDING CORPORATION; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; COVALENCE SPECIALTY ADHESIVES LLC; FIBERWEB, INC.; FIBERWEB, LLC; KERR GROUP, LLC; LETICA CORPORATION; LETICA RESOURCES, INC.; PLIANT, LLC; ROLLPAK CORPORATION; F&S TOOL, INC.
Reel/Frame 071168/0009 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071165/0753 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071165/0634 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071165/0464 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071165/0365 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2024
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS, LLC (F/K/A AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; F/K/A POLYMER GROUP, INC.); FIBERWEB, LLC.; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 069306/0067 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2024
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS, LLC; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 067589/0371 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2024
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 066354/0346 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 22, 2023
From: AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; FIBERWEB, LLC; LETICA CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH; BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ABL COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064067/0413 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 056759 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jun 21, 2023
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064050/0377 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2023
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PRIME LABEL & SCREEN, INCORPORATED; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063348/0639 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2021
From: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.; BERRY FILM PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.; BPREX HEALTHCARE PACKAGING INC.; AVINTIV SPECIALTY MATERIALS INC.; PLIANT, LLC; FIBERWEB, LLC; BERRY GLOBAL FILMS, LLC; PROVIDENCIA USA, INC.; LETICA CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056759/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2021
From: TELSCHOW, SAMUEL G.; FISHER, SCOTT L.; COFFEY, KELSEY
To: BERRY GLOBAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 056437/0529 →