CLEVELAND — J.L. Clark Inc. has won a patent infringement lawsuit over an injection molded closure.
Weatherchem Corp. of Twinsburg, Ohio, filed the case in 1991 in U.S. District Court in Cleveland. Although the court's ruling was in favor of J.L. Clark, a Rockford, Ill., injection molder, the issue is still before the court, said Weatherchem's lawyer, Robert Vickers of Cleveland.
The suit was over the Flapper-brand closure developed and patented by Weatherchem in the mid-1980s. The polypropylene lid, designed for the spice industry, is a two-door cap with integral flaps: One side is to shake out the spice, the other side is used to spoon it out.
Vickers said the court found J.L. Clark's closure had infringed on Weatherchem's patent. However, the patent was found to be invalid because the application had not been filed soon enough.
J.L. Clark makes twin-door dispensing closures for dry and liquid items.
The PP living-hinge closures are used for shampoo bottles and other personal-care items and aseptic drink boxes.
Weatherchem, part of Weatherhead Industries of Detroit, has requested an amendment to the decision.