Patents Represented by Attorney David W. Brownlee
  • Patent number: 5713235
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for necking an open end of a metal container in which annular grooves are provided on the inner surface of the necking dies to abate sticking of cans in the dies during the necking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Hans H. Diekhoff
  • Patent number: 5704240
    Abstract: A methods for forming threads in the neck portion of a can made of thin gauge, hard temper metal which minimizes stretching of the metal in the neck portion. The method employs a grooved arbor and roller having a single thread lead around less than 360.degree. of the roller's perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Charles L. Jordan
  • Patent number: 5637404
    Abstract: A strip of highly reflective aluminum protected by a conversion coating and a light-permeable fluoropolymer coating which is non-adhesively interstitially mechanically bonded to the microscopic irregularities of the conversion coated surface. The highly reflective strip may be substituted for polished stainless steel and/or bi-metal and used under aggressive conditions for a prolonged period without deleteriously affecting the initial D/I (distinctness of reflected image) of the shaped strip. The strip of arbitrary length may be shaped in rolling dies so that at least a portion of the strip has a radius of less than 10 mm without damaging or separating the fluoropolymer coating. The specific steps of the claimed process require starting with a bright-rolled clean strip which is conversion coated to carry a thin metal compound coating. The reflective conversion coated surface is coated with the fluoropolymer while maintaining at least 80% D/I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert E. Bombalski, Daniel L. Serafin
  • Patent number: 5633063
    Abstract: A building panel and method of forming it are disclosed in which the panel includes inner and outer polymer facing sheets and a rigid foam core with the facing sheets joined securely to the core by glass fibers embedded in the facing sheets and projecting from them into the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Herb Lause, Sylvia Moore, Clif Seltzer, Cliff Taylor, Dan King
  • Patent number: 5565260
    Abstract: A method for coating strip material by applying polymer resin having a high solids content to at least one face of strip material with a coating roll having a pattern of grooves in the surface of the roll and curing the polymer resin on said strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: T. Daniel Hawk
  • Patent number: 5557963
    Abstract: A method for necking an end of a metal container include effecting initial deformation, generally radially inwardly, of an axial portion to establish a necked-in generally convex transition portion and an adjacent portion disposed between the transition portion and the container end which is initially generally cylindrical. Both portions are of reduced diameter with respect to the original can body diameter. Sequentially, through the series of formation steps, the portion to be necked in is further reduced in diameter to produce an outwardly generally convex portion disposed in underlying relationship with respect to an outwardly concave portion. A generally, radially, outwardly directed flange may be established within the end section of the necked-in portion. Apparatus to perform the foregoing forming steps consists of a plurality of die means which are subjected to relative axial movement and contact and reshape the exterior of the container portion that is to be necked in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Hans H. Diekhoff
  • Patent number: 5527562
    Abstract: A novel polymer-coated reflector aluminum is coated with an aromatic polysiloxane liquid coating solution polymerized to have non-linear, ladder silicon to oxygen bonding. A metal layer or substrate coated with the aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer provides enhanced planarization and total reflectivity. The novel aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer-coated metal preferably includes a non-linear, ladder aromatic polysiloxane polymer-coated aluminum metal sheet such as provided by polyphenylsiloxane polymer having the general formula R.sub.n SiO.sub.(4-n)/2, wherein R comprises phenyl radical, and n has an average value of about 0.95 to 1.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Willy M. Balaba, Frank A. Mozelewski
  • Patent number: 5522248
    Abstract: A method of forming a drawn metal cup for a container body which includes drawing a cup having a circular boss in its base wall, redrawing the cup and forming a pressure resistant profile in its base wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Hans H. Diekhoff, George L. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5492730
    Abstract: A novel polymer-coated carbon, metal, or ceramic substrate is coated with an aromatic polysiloxane liquid coating solution polymerized to have non-linear, ladder silicon to oxygen bonding. A carbon, metal, or ceramic layer or substrate coated with the aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer provides enhanced thermal protection and oxidative stability. The novel aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer-coated carbon, metal, or ceramic substrate preferably includes a non-linear, ladder aromatic polysiloxane polymer-coated carbon, metal, or ceramic substrate such as provided by polyphenylsiloxane polymer having the general formula R.sub.n SiO.sub.(4-n)/2, wherein R comprises phenyl radical, and n has an average value of about 0.95 to 1.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Willy M. Balaba, George H. Armstrong, Suzanne Kauffman, Princewill N. Anyalebechi
  • Patent number: 5487295
    Abstract: A method of forming a drawn metal cup for a container body which includes drawing a cup having a circular boss in its base wall, redrawing the cup and forming a pressure resistant profile in its base wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Hans H. Diekhoff, George L. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5478414
    Abstract: A strip of gray reflective aluminum protected by a conversion coating and a light-permeable fluoropolymer coating which is non-adhesively interstitially mechanically bonded to the microscopic irregularities of the conversion coated surface. The highly reflective strip may be substituted for polished stainless steel and/or bi-metal and used under comparably aggressive conditions for a prolonged period without deleteriously affecting the initial D/I (distinctness of reflected image) of the shaped strip. The strip of arbitrary length may be shaped in rolling dies so that at least a portion of the strip has a radius of less than 10 mm without damaging or separating the fluoropolymer coating. The specific steps of the claimed process require starting with a bright-rolled clean strip which is conversion coated to carry a thin metal compound coating. After rinsing and drying, the reflective surface is coated with the fluoropolymer while maintaining at least 80% D/I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Frank A. Mozelewski, Daniel L. Serafin, Robert E. Bombalski
  • Patent number: 5466317
    Abstract: A building panel and method of forming it are disclosed in which the panel includes inner and outer polymer facing sheets and a rigid foam core with the facing sheets joined securely to the core by glass fibers embedded in the facing sheets and projecting from them into the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Herb Lause, Sylvia Moore, Clif Seltzer, Cliff Taylor, Dan King
  • Patent number: 5407702
    Abstract: A method for extrusion coating both sides of a metal strip. A metal strip, such as aluminum alloy strip, is moved through a pre-conditioner, two extrusion dies, a post heater and a cooling system. Both sides of the strip are coated with thin coatings of polyester material. The coated metal strip is useful for containers, such as cans and can ends, as well as for automobiles, appliances, aerospace, construction and electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: David A. Smith, Susan A. Stanton, Gary J. DiFranco, Roy B. Steidley, John M. Stinson, Thomas L. Levendusky, Vincent J. Downard, William F. Forster, John R. McAllister
  • Patent number: 5394727
    Abstract: A method of forming a drawn metal cup for a container body which includes drawing a cup having a circular boss in its base wall, redrawing the cup and forming a pressure resistant profile in its base wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Hans H. Diekhoff, George L. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5373721
    Abstract: A method of scoring a metal panel such as a can end lid includes forming a first scoreline having a base and a pair of lateral walls and subsequently forming a second scoreline within the first scoreline by indenting a portion of the first scoreline base. The final scoreline may be created by employing two or more scoring operations after the first scoreline has been formed. The apparatus preferably includes a press which supports the first scoring die and second scoring die in such a manner as to establish the desired sequence of scoring operations. This method and associated apparatus provide a scored metal panel or container lid having improved performance characteristics. The resultant lid is characterized by reduced residual strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert E. Welsh, Ernest J. Clowes
  • Patent number: 5362340
    Abstract: A method of producing aluminum can sheet having low earing characteristics. An aluminum alloy ingot is provided and is heated to a temperature between about 527.degree. to 571.degree. C. (980.degree. to 1060.degree. F.). After this, the ingot is hot rolled in a single-stand reversible hot mill to produce an intermediate gauge sheet. The intermediate gauge sheet is then cold rolled to produce a final gauge aluminum can sheet having low eating characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Marilyn Daly, Scott L. Palmer, Robert E. Sanders, Jr., W. Bryan Steverson, Lyndon Morgan
  • Patent number: 5362341
    Abstract: A method of producing aluminum can sheet having high strength and low earing characteristics comprises providing an aluminum alloy ingot and then hot rolling the ingot in a single-stand hot reversing mill to produce a first intermediate gauge sheet. The first intermediate gauge sheet is then cold rolled to produce a second intermediate gauge sheet. This second intermediate gauge sheet is passed through a heat source as a single web so that the second intermediate gauge sheet is continuously annealed. After heating, the second intermediate gauge sheet is quenched and coiled again. Finally, the coiled second intermediate gauge sheet is cold rolled again to produce the final gauge aluminum can sheet having high strength and low earing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Scott L. Palmer, Robert E. Sanders, W. Bryan Steverson, Lyndon Morgan
  • Patent number: 5358747
    Abstract: A polymer-coated carbon is coated with an aromatic polysiloxane liquid coating solution polymerized to have non-linear, ladder-like silicon to oxygen bonding. Carbon fiber or fabric coated with aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer provides enhanced thermal protection and oxidative stability. The aromatic polysiloxane liquid polymer-coated carbon preferably includes a non-linear, ladder-like aromatic polysiloxane polymer-coated carbon such as provided by polyphenyl-siloxane polymer having the general formula R.sub.n SiO.sub.(4-n)/2, wherein R comprises phenyl radical, and n has an average value of about 0.95 to 1.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Willy M. Balaba, George H. Armstrong, Suzanne Kauffman, Princewill N. Anyalebechi
  • Patent number: 5355710
    Abstract: A method for necking an end of a metal container include effecting initial deformation, generally radially inwardly, of an axial portion to establish a necked-in generally convex transition portion and an adjacent portion disposed between the transition portion and the container end which is initially generally cylindrical. Both portions are of reduced diameter with respect to the original can body diameter. Sequentially, through the series of formation steps, the portion to be necked in is further reduced in diameter to produce an outwardly generally convex portion disposed in underlying relationship with respect to an outwardly concave portion. A generally, radially, outwardly directed flange may be established within the end section of the necked-in portion. Apparatus to perform the foregoing forming steps consists of a plurality of die means which are subjected to relative axial movement and contact and reshape the exterior of the container portion that is to be necked in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Hans H. Diekhoff
  • Patent number: D384888
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Hans H. Diekhoff