IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,443,998
Granted Patent B2
US 8,443,998 · App. 13/163,887 · Granted May 21, 2013

Container with integrated plastic tear away membrane

Inventor: Brett Christopher Domoy (Medina, NY)
Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,443,998
App. No.
13/163,887
Granted
May 21, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A container is provided which includes a container body, a cap closure and a plastic membrane. The container body has a receiving area capable of holding a product. An open mouth surrounds the receiving area. A cap closure is arranged over the open mouth. The cap closure includes a fitment engageable around the mouth and a lid hingedly connected to the fitment. The plastic membrane is integrally molded with the cap closure and sealingly prevents leakage from the receiving area. The membrane includes a minor area non-frangibly attached to the fitment having a V-shaped outer border with sections of the border converging to a pivot point, and a major area tangibly attached along its perimeter to the fitment and to the V-shaped outer border. A pull tab is formed on a surface of the membrane at the pivot point.

Claims (12)

1. A container comprising:

(i) a container body with a receiving area capable of holding a product, the container having an open mouth surrounding the receiving area;

(ii) a cap closure arranged over the open mouth, the closure comprising a fitment engagable around the mouth and a lid hingedly connected to the fitment: and

(iii) a plastic membrane integrally molded with the cap closure and surrounded by a supporting wall protecting upwards from the fitment, the membrane sealingly closing off the mouth, the membrane comprising:

(a) at one end a minor area non-frangibly attached to the supporting wall which is a shelf having a V-shaped outer border with sections of the border angularly converging to a pivot point and further comprising a pair of intersecting bars formed on the minor area and tracing the V-shaped outer border along at least 80% of a length thereof wherein the bars form an angle at a point of intersection ranging from 90 to 170°;

(b) a major area at a second end of the membrane in part being frangibly attached along a perimeter of said major area to the supporting wall and in another part of the perimeter to the V-shaped outer border; and

(c) a pull tab projecting outwardly from a surface of the membrane comprising a ring and a post, the ring being supported by the post and attached adjacent to the pivot point of the V-shaped outer border.

2. The container according to claim 1 wherein the bars form an angle at a point of intersection ranging from 110 to 150°.

3. The container according to claim 1 wherein the post at an end attached to the membrane features at least two feet broadening the end.

4. The container according to claim 1 further comprising on an undersurface of the shelf a central rib projecting downwardly into the container with a length oriented toward the pivot point.

5. The container according to claim 4 further comprising on the undersurface of the shelf a lateral rib flanking each side of the central rib, the flanking ribs having a longer dimension than that of the central rib.

6. The container according to claim 4 wherein the flanking ribs taper inward toward one another.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 26, 2011
From: DOMOY, BRETT CHRISTOPHER
To: CONOPCO, INC., D/B/A UNILEVER
Reel/Frame 026645/0955 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120318798A1 · Dec 20, 2012