The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 06, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 11, 1997
Thomas J. Setty, Florence, SC (US);
William C. Suski, Hartsville, SC (US);
Eric P. Lubitz, Cordova, TN (US);
Cossie J. McCorkle, Naperville, IL (US);
Gene A. Herron, Florence, SC (US);
Richard M. Lowman, Hartsville, SC (US);
Sonoco Products Company, Hartsville, SC (US);
Abstract
A release strip for tubular containers is provided and includes a tab portion. An elongate portion of the release strip is releasably adhered to an outer surface of the tubular body of the container with a first adhesive application. The tab portion extends laterally from the elongate portion and is separately releasably adhered to the tubular body with a second adhesive application to prevent the tab portion from being inadvertently snagged. In one preferred embodiment, the tab portion includes an opening therein having an advantageous shape including an arcuate section having at least a predetermined minimum radius of curvature and a substantially straight section opposite the arcuate section, thus allowing sufficient room for accommodating a consumer's finger while maintaining requisite ring strength. An apparatus for manufacturing and applying the release strips also forms a part of the invention and includes first and second adhesive applicators which are offset to apply the first adhesive application to the elongate portion of the release strip and the second adhesive application to the tab portion.