The present invention is directed to containers for holding non-food items having a living hinge and a quad or multi seal structure on the lid such that the seal created by the contact of the lid with the inside of the cup or container ensures a secure, friction fit orientation to prevent spillage or leakage of the contents therein. The quad or multi directional seal is created by multiple ribs on the lid that securably fit within the base of the container and indentations oriented in the bases, or by multiple ribs on the lid that securably fit within a channel structure in the top of the base of the container, the channel structure having the indentations in order to create a secure fit.

The present invention relates to tethered plastic stopper having a tamper band having an offset wall, a closure shell having a peripheral wall, and a hinge connected to the closure shell and a bottom edge attached to the tamper band. The closure shell is also separably connected to the tamper band through a weakness line. The peripheral wall extends around a portion perimeter of the stopper forming a first end at one edge of the peripheral wall and a second end edge at the other edge of the peripheral wall. The offset wall extends between the first and second ends of the peripheral wall at the opposite of the hinge.

The present invention includes a tethered plastic stopper having a tamper band, a closure shell having a plurality of tongues, and a hinge attached at a bottom portion to the tamper band and attached at a top portion to the closure shell. The closure shell is separably connected to the tamper band through a weakness line. The plurality of tongues each extend outwardly relative to the periphery of the stopper and being positioned around a periphery of the stopper.

A closure (40, 40A, 40B) for use with a container includes a body (54, 54A, 54B) defining a passage (72, 72A, 72B) and a first latch portion (92, 92B). The closure (40, 40A, 40B) has a lid (56, 56A, 56B) defining a deflectable press portion (96, 96A, 96B) that has a connection (100, 100A, 100B) to the closure body (54, 54A, 54B). The lid (56, 56A, 56B) has a cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) including a second latch portion (120, 120A, 120B) for engaging the first latch portion (92, 92B) to releasably hold the cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) in a latched closed position in which the cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) at least partially occludes the passage (72, 72A, 72B). The lid (56, 56A, 56B) has a biased hinge (104, 104A, 104B) connecting the cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) with the press portion (96, 96A, 96B) to accommodate movement of the cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) between the latched closed position and an unlatched open position.

A preload mechanism for a memory alloy wire actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the memory alloy wire actuator such that contraction of the memory alloy wire actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.

A closure for a container includes a top panel, a skirt depending from the top panel and extending circumferentially about a central axis, a tamper-evident band attached to the skirt, and at least one thread extending from an interior surface of the skirt. The skirt extends from a first end attached to the top panel to a second end opposite the first end. The skirt is tapered radially outward from the first end to the second end such that a diameter of the skirt at the second end is greater than the diameter of the skirt at the first end.

A closure for a container includes a top panel, a skirt depending from the top panel and extending circumferentially about a central axis, a tamper-evident band attached to the skirt, and at least one thread extending from an interior surface of the skirt. The skirt extends from a first end attached to the top panel to a second end opposite the first end. The skirt is tapered radially outward from the first end to the second end such that a diameter of the skirt at the second end is greater than the diameter of the skirt at the first end.

A closure that remains coupled to a container after the upper portion of the closure has been rotatably removed from the container. The closure may include an attachment channel, which includes alternating segments of linear openings and frangible connections. The attachment channel may also include two hinge bridges that remain unbroken when one or more of the frangible connections are broken.

The present invention relates to tethered plastic stopper having a tamper band having an offset wall, a closure shell having a peripheral wall, and a hinge connected to the closure shell and a bottom edge attached to the tamper band. The closure shell is also separably connected to the tamper band through a weakness line. The peripheral wall extends around a portion perimeter of the stopper forming a first end at one edge of the peripheral wall and a second end edge at the other edge of the peripheral wall. The offset wall extends between the first and second ends of the peripheral wall at the opposite of the hinge.

A preload mechanism for an actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the actuator such that contraction of the actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.