Receptacles – Closures – Removable closure guided in rotary movement
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-02
2001-01-09
Newhouse, Nathan J. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Removable closure guided in rotary movement
C220S326000, C206S508000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170691
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a container assembly having a lid threadably securable to an open head container member. More particularly, the present invention relates to a seal located between the lid and the container member which is gradually compressed as the lid is threadably attached to the container member. A horizontally pivotable locking member is provided on the lid which engages a plurality of teeth on the container member to prevent the lid from loosening during shipment.
2. Description of the Background Art
Various open head container and lid assemblies are known in the art. For example, applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,926, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a container member having a lid securable thereto with a pair of locking members pivotable about a vertical axis for engaging teeth located on the interior side wall of the container member. Further, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,494,674 and 3,897,874 each disclose a seal located between a container member and a lid which is compressed between adjacent horizontal surfaces.
While these arrangements are useful for providing a seal between a lid and an open head container, and a latch mechanism for preventing unintentional rotation of the lid, the amount of sealing is limited to the strength of the user, and manipulation of the latching mechanism can be difficult. There exists a need in the industry to provide an open head container and lid assembly having a seal located between the lid and the container member which is gradually compressed as the lid is rotatably threaded onto the container member such that the strength necessary to properly apply the lid and compress the seal is reduced, while still providing the necessary sealing ability to prevent liquids from leaking past the seal. Further, there exists a need in the industry to provide a latching mechanism which may be easily manipulated by simply depressing a locking member located on the lid to allow rotation of the lid with respect to the container member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an open head container and lid assembly having a locking member pivotable about a horizontal axis which is easily manipulated by a user.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an open head container and lid assembly having a locking member which permits the lid to be threadably secured to the container member, while preventing the lid from inadvertently unthreading from the container member during shipment.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an open head container and lid assembly which includes a seal located between tapered surfaces of the lid and the container member such that compression of the seal occurs gradually as the lid is threadably secured onto the container member. Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a sealing arrangement between a lid and an open head container member which presents a tortuous path for fluid movement therebetween when the lid is secured to the container member.
These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by a container assembly including a container member having an open end and a first thread, and a lid having a second thread for closing the open end of the container member. The locking member is located on the lid which selectively engages a latch member located on the container member to prevent rotation of the lid with respect to the container member in at least one direction of rotation. The lid and the container member include tapered wall members having a seal located therebetween which is gradually compressed therebetween as the lid is threadably secured to the container member.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Morris, Jr. Glenn H.
Morris, Sr. Glenn H.
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
M & M Industries, Inc.
Newhouse Nathan J.
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