Patent · US Expired

End cap device for a flanged opening

US6059136A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
18References
15Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 2, 1998
Grant dateMay 9, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 2, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16L55/115
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An end cap device for the flanged termination at the end of a container or a pipe. The end cap device includes a circular base having a peripheral edge, a bottom surface and a top surface. The top surface of the end cap base is beveled toward the bottom surface of the base in the regions proximate the peripheral edge. A shaft extends from the top surface of the base, wherein the shaft is oriented at a perpendicular relative the plane of the bottom surface of the base. A handle is connected to the shaft at a point between the two ends of the handle. A tether extends from the handle. The tether is formed into the configuration of a noose, wherein the noose can pass over the flanged termination the end cap device is designed to cover. The handle helps a person remove the end cap in a controlled manner while the tether prevents the end cap from falling. Both the entire end cap structure and the tether are made of stainless steel or another material that can be sterilized in an autoclave without corrosion.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.