United States Patent No. 4,669,124 (“the ’124 patent”) expired on May 26, 2007 for a BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH TAMPERPROOF SCREWCAP THREAD.

Over the years, a variety of containers have been used to hold beverages: glass bottles; aluminum cans; plastic jars; and, yes, even synthetic bags. Many have had the extent of their use dwindle and some still remain prominent. But some, like the invention described in the ’124 patent, are not seen at all anymore.

On May 26, 1987, the ’124 patent issued for a synthetic bag beverage container with a screwcap thread. The bag itself is formed by heat-sealing the ends of synthetic resin film sheets. A straw is inserted into the bag and heat-sealed to the edges of the sheets. The straw also contains a threaded end portion that engages the cover and creates a hermetically sealed structure when pressed against the end portion. The sealed structure allows a user to break the manufacturer’s seal and open the container at the same time, as well as determine if the container has been broken or tampered with.

Filed under: Dead Patents by lbarbin