Patents Represented by Attorney Robert A. Stenzel
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Patent number: 4741447Abstract: A linerless cap closure includes circular top wall and a depending annular skirt having an internal thread with a tamper-evident band below the skirt. A sealing member is integral with the lower surface of the top wall and includes an annular protrusion having a depending annular axial projection. The tamper-evident band is connected to the skirt with a plurality of spaced tear tangs and a permanent connection and the band has an inwardly-directed bead with inclined ramps extending from the inner edge of the bed to the lower edge of the bead.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1987Date of Patent: May 3, 1988Assignee: American National Can CompanyInventor: Christian J. John
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Patent number: 4732027Abstract: A modular system for producing triple-necked open ended containers includes three substantially identical necking modules each having the same frame and identical rotatable turrets which have a plurality of identical necking stations around the periphery. Each necking station includes an annular necking die and a platform and punch which are cam-operated to move towards and away from each other and are maintained in engagement with the cams by pressurized fluid. Each necking station also has a container pressurizing means in the form of an annular chamber which acts as a holding chamber prior to transmitting the pressurized fluid into the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1986Date of Patent: March 22, 1988Assignee: American National Can CompanyInventors: Edward S. Traczyk, Michael M. Shulski
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Patent number: 4724384Abstract: Shown is an apparatus for mounting an inductive transducer in position over an intermittently moved belt carrying easy open ends for a beverage container and designed to detect whether or not the tabs for easy opening are provided on the ends. The apparatus is designed to resiliently bias the detection transducer towards the ends with a predetermined gap therebetween such that an electrical signal will result that can be used to evaluate whether a tab is in place. The apparatus includes a camming ramp designed to trigger a limit switch to turn off the system should there be multiple ends positioned below the detector. The detector mounting on a resilient support is designed to back away from any obstruction therebeneath to protect the apparatus during the detection operation. The transducer face is protected by about 1/16 inch of the plastic material.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1987Date of Patent: February 9, 1988Assignee: American National Can CompanyInventors: Joseph Castovilly, Walter J. Sieverin
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Patent number: 4724035Abstract: Apparatus for assembling base cups onto bottles includes an assembly wheel that has a plurality of pockets on the periphery thereof and a plurality of fluid cylinders supported on an upper support plate and aligned with the pockets. The assembly wheel is positively driven by a drive motor, which also drives a bottle-infeed mechanism and a cup-infeed mechanism, as well as an ejector mechanism. The cup-infeed mechanism includes as indexable carrier that indexes each cup at a glue-applying station, where the cup is raised and simultaneously rotated while glue is being applied in an annular pattern to the inner surface of the cup. The cup and bottle have movement along paths which merge where the bottle is then forced into the cup through a pressurized source and held in that position while the glue sets.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1987Date of Patent: February 9, 1988Assignee: American National Can CompanyInventors: John M. Mann, Michael M. Shulski
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Patent number: 4696580Abstract: A can container made of soft material such as aluminum having a wall thickness of less than 0.2 mm is used for low acid foods or drinks having pH of more than 5.0. A controlled quantity of liquified nitrogen is introduced into the can filled with the low acid foods or drinks and then the can is hermetically sealed off by double-seaming. The liquid nitrogen is soon gasified in the sealed can to increase internal pressure of the can to a level sufficient to prevent the can from being deformed. Then the can is subjected to retort sterilization treatment at a predetermined high steam temperature for a predetermined period of time for sterilization of any possible bacilli and bacteria in the low acid foods or drinks in the can. Prior to retort sterilization treatment, a thermal sensitive paint is applied to the can, which will change color when exposed to a steam of a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1986Date of Patent: September 29, 1987Assignee: National Can CorporationInventor: Toshinori Kameda
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Patent number: 4693376Abstract: A container inspection apparatus for inspecting coating integrity includes an electrical control system that produces an output signal representative of the reflectivity of an inner surface of the container which is fed to a microprocessor and is compared with lower and upper limit references. If the output signal is outside the limit references, an ejector mechanism located in a path for moving containers is activated to remove the defective container from the path. The ejector mechanism includes flipper rods pivoted at one end and located in an inclined portion of the path so that the defective containers are removed by gravity feed.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1981Date of Patent: September 15, 1987Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Paul R. Marion, James J. Nemcoes, George C. Kolodziej
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Patent number: 4693108Abstract: A modular system for producing triple-necked open ended containers includes three substantially identical necking modules each having the same frame and identical rotatable turrets which have a plurality of identical necking stations around the periphery. Each necking station includes an annular necking die and a platform and punch which are cam-operated to move towards and away from each other and are maintained in engagement with the cams by pressurized fluid. Each necking station also has a container pressurizing means in the form of an annular chamber which acts as a holding chamber prior to transmitting the pressurized fluid into the container.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1985Date of Patent: September 15, 1987Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Edward S. Traczyk, Michael M. Shulski
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Patent number: 4685582Abstract: A drawn and ironed container having a reduced neck around an upper open end has a bottom profile which exhibits excellent strength characteristics and nests with an end double-seamed to the open end of the container. The bottom profile includes a center spherical dome surrounded by a U-shaped annular portion defining a lower support surface for the container. A joining segment is integral with the container side wall and the U-shaped annular portion includes a first annular arcuate portion having an exterior radius and a second annular arcuate portion having an interior radius.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1985Date of Patent: August 11, 1987Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Sam C. Pulciani, Robert M. Szczerba
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Patent number: 4682707Abstract: A one-piece plastic can lid 1, for use with a container of the lever ring type, has a periphery 20 which contacts an annular portion of the can wall 15, so as to center the lid 1 accurately relative to the can body. A recess 25 may be provided to enable a lever to be used to pry the lid 1 off the container. The recess 25 desirably includes a membrane 27 which is pierced when a lever is first used to open the container, so that rupture of the membrane 27 makes evident any unauthorized opening of the container. The lid 1 may also include one or more fins which form a seal in conjunction with an annular part 14 of the lever ring 16 of the container.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1986Date of Patent: July 28, 1987Assignee: National Can CorporationInventor: Keith E. Wiles
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Patent number: 4620434Abstract: Apparatus for reforming an end wall of a container shell including a punch reciprocable along a path on a frame and a domer assembly at the end of the path. The domer assembly includes a domer pad and an annular forming element with biasing means between the pad, the annular forming element and the base. The biasing means for the annular forming element includes an annular chamber divided into spaced segments that each have a piston reciprocated therein and a pressurized fluid source connected thereto, while the domer pad is supported on a post that extends through a tubular column forming part of the base and has an enlarged pad at the opposite end which also is in communication with the pressurized fluid source to produce an end wall configuration that has a large outer annular arcuate portion merging with an annular flat support portion that has an upwardly-extending flat annular portion surrounding a central upward dome.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1984Date of Patent: November 4, 1986Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Sam C. Pulciano, Raymond Mikas, Robert M. Wyleta
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Patent number: 4614531Abstract: A computer based system for controlling the operation of a ware reject mechanism for an independent section glassware forming machine.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1984Date of Patent: September 30, 1986Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: William B. Bishop, David C. Oftelie, M. Victoria Selep
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Patent number: 4583346Abstract: Pressurization of containers with liquid nitrogen to impart container strength and content protection is effected by injecting a small quantity of liquid nitrogen before sealing the container by the methods and apparatus including a gas pressure system wherein liquid nitrogen is maintained by control means at a constant pressure with nitrogen gas being separated from liquid nitrogen before dispensing and a recirculating pump pressure system wherein liquid nitrogen from a second of two supplies is pumped through a conduit to a dispensing gun and surplus liquid and gas is returned to the supply.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1983Date of Patent: April 22, 1986Assignee: National Can CorporationInventor: Toshinori Kameda
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Patent number: 4578976Abstract: A container embossing apparatus includes a container-supporting embossing mandrel that has circumferentially-spaced, axially-extending ribs on the periphery that are engageable with a resilient forming mandrel or member so that crease lines are formed on the container during the embossing operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1984Date of Patent: April 1, 1986Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Michael M. Shulski, John M. Mann
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Patent number: 4546636Abstract: An apparatus and method for the high-speed production of seamless metal container bodies is disclosed utilizing a reciprocating ram which forces a relatively shallow metal cup through a die assembly to iron the sidewall of said cup to form an elongated ironed container body, the ram is supported and critically-aligned by at least two stationary guide means along its length and a slide blank means rigidly secured to its rearward end, the slide block means having opposed hydrostatic pressure pads to provide constant critical alignment of the rear end of the ram and prevent misalignment of the ram relative to the die assembly to avoid producing container bodies of overly-inconsistent length.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1985Date of Patent: October 15, 1985Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Walter W. Snyder, Dennis G. Dettmer
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Patent number: 4534202Abstract: A cup feeding mechanism for a bodymaker includes a guide chute defining a vertical path with a stop located at the lower end of the path defining a transfer area. The stop has a specifically configured area for receiving each cup and defining a fixed position for the cup in the transfer area. A drive member is reciprocated transversely of the path and picks up cups from the transfer area and positively drives them into alignment with a ram that extends perpendicular to the axis of the path so that the cups are maintained in accurate alignment with the ram prior to being transferred through the bodymaker.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1983Date of Patent: August 13, 1985Assignee: National Can CorporationInventor: Walter W. Snyder
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Patent number: 4530228Abstract: An apparatus and method for the high speed production of seamless metal container bodies is disclosed utilizing a reciprocating ram which forces a relatively shallow metal cup through a die assembly to iron the sidewall of said cup to form an elongated ironed container body, the ram is supported and critically aligned by at least two stationary points and also at its rearward end by a slideable ram block assembly to which the ram is rigidly secured, the critical alignment of the rear end of the ram prevents misalignment of the ram relative to the die assembly to avoid producing container bodies of overly inconsistent length.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1983Date of Patent: July 23, 1985Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Walter W Snyder, Dennis G. Dettmer
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Patent number: 4519232Abstract: A modular system for producing triple-necked open ended containers includes three substantially identical necking modules each having the same frame and identical rotatable turrets which have a plurality of identical necking stations around the periphery. Each necking station includes an annular necking die and a platform and punch which are cam-operated to move towards and away from each other and are maintained in engagement with the cams by pressurized fluid. Each necking station also has a container pressurizing means in the form of an annular chamber which acts as a holding chamber prior to transmitting the pressurized fluid into the container.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1982Date of Patent: May 28, 1985Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Edward S. Traczyk, Michael M. Shulski
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Patent number: 4466553Abstract: A container for vacuum packaging of products includes an outer container and an inner liner which conforms generally to the configuration of the outer container and is secured to the upper open end thereof while the remainder of the container and liner are unattached. A vent is provided between the atmosphere and the space between the container and liner so that the liner can expand and collapse as differential pressures are applied to the product sealed in the liner by a plastic film secured open end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1981Date of Patent: August 21, 1984Assignee: National Can CorporationInventor: Richard D. Zenger
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Patent number: D279265Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1982Date of Patent: June 18, 1985Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Timothy L. Turner, Frank R. Pileggi
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Patent number: D290688Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1984Date of Patent: July 7, 1987Assignee: National Can CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Moloney, Nelson N. Chernikoff, Edward S. Traczyk, Michael M. Shulski, Edward K. Cassidy, John M. Mann