Patents by Inventor Alan Mark Crawley

Alan Mark Crawley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230146749
    Abstract: A double-walled container apparatus 12 with the structure of two integrally connected and adjacent containers 14 and 15 extending in the same direction with an air gap 16 between them, formed as a single body out of thermoformable material, and of a thin-walled nature suitable for mass-production, and whereby at least one or more apertures 13 are formed in at least one or more container walls to enable egression of fluids. A double-walled container apparatus 12 may have an upper lid 18 and/or a double-walled container apparatus 12 may have a lower lid 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventor: ALAN MARK CRAWLEY
  • Publication number: 20220379540
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the formation of double-walled containers with the structure of two integrally connected and adjacent containers extending in the same direction with an air gap between them, stretch-blow moulded as single bodies out of thermoplastic material, and suitable for mass-production. A thermoplastic tubular blank is formed and then heat-conditioned. The heat-conditioned tubular blank is then mechanically stretched longitudinally and blow-formed outwards by gas pressure to conformingly and stretchingly assume the tubular blank to the shape of a first dual-container shaped mould cavity set in order to form a stretch-blow moulded first container integrally connected to a second container, with both containers extending in opposite directions. Next, additional heat-conditioning is applied to further heat-condition as necessary the stretch-blow moulded second container and if deemed an advantage, at least part of the first container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventor: Alan Mark CRAWLEY
  • Publication number: 20220330756
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the formation of double-walled containers with the structure of two integrally connected and adjacent containers extending in the same direction with an air gap between them, stretch-blow moulded as single bodies out of thermoplastic material, and suitable for mass-production. A thermoplastic tubular blank is formed and then heat-conditioned. The heat-conditioned tubular blank is then mechanically stretched longitudinally and blow-formed outwards by gas pressure to conformingly and stretchingly assume the tubular blank to the shape of a first dual-container shaped mould cavity set in order to form a stretch-blow moulded first container integrally connected to a second container, with both containers extending in opposite directions. Next, additional heat-conditioning is applied to further heat-condition as necessary the stretch-blow moulded second container and if deemed an advantage, at least part of the first container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: Alan Mark CRAWLEY
  • Patent number: 11446855
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the formation of double-walled containers includes two integrally connected containers extending in the same direction with an air gap between them, stretch-blow moulded as single bodies out of thermoplastic material, and suitable for mass-production. A thermoplastic tubular blank is formed and then heat-conditioned. The heat-conditioned tubular blank is then mechanically stretched longitudinally and blow-formed outwards by gas pressure to form first and second containers. A piston and mould cavity cooperate to further mould the containers such that the second smaller container side wall(s) are at least substantially not in contact with the second container shaped mould cavity set and may be inverted inside-out, while the second smaller container bottom wall at least substantially does not invert, in order for the second smaller container to become a substantially mirror-image inverted second smaller container extending in the same direction as, and interior to, the first container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Patent number: 11375852
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the formation of double-walled containers with the structure of two integrally connected and adjacent containers extending in the same direction with an air gap between them, stretch-blow moulded as single bodies out of thermoplastic material, and suitable for mass-production. A thermoplastic tubular blank is formed and then heat-conditioned. The heat-conditioned tubular blank is then mechanically stretched longitudinally and blow-formed outwards by gas pressure to conformingly and stretchingly assume the tubular blank to the shape of a first dual-container shaped mould cavity set in order to form a stretch-blow moulded first container integrally connected to a second container, with both containers extending in opposite directions. Next, additional heat-conditioning is applied to further heat-condition as necessary the stretch-blow moulded second container and if deemed an advantage, at least part of the first container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Patent number: 10981704
    Abstract: A pressurised headspace beverage closure 1 that may be opened and reclosed in at least substantially a one-handed manner; comprising a drinking aperture, at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism 5, at least one controlled-rate headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 6 and a sealing system 7 suitable for multiple re-use, and whereby when the headspace pressure 10 is at least substantially above or below atmospheric pressure the headspace pressure lock mechanism 5 may employ the use of the headspace pressure 10 itself to ensure that the closure cannot freely be opened by a user, whereby the headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 6 may freely enable the headspace pressure 10 to be vented such that it may at least substantially equalise with atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate preferably independent of a user thereby allowing safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure 10, and whereby once the headspace pressure 10 has at least substantially equalised with at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Publication number: 20210039301
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the formation of double-walled containers includes two integrally connected containers extending in the same direction with an air gap between them, stretch-blow moulded as single bodies out of thermoplastic material, and suitable for mass-production. A thermoplastic tubular blank is formed and then heat-conditioned. The heat-conditioned tubular blank is then mechanically stretched longitudinally and blow-formed outwards by gas pressure to form first and second containers. A piston and mould cavity cooperate to further mould the containers such that the second smaller container side wall(s) are at least substantially not in contact with the second container shaped mould cavity set and may be inverted inside-out, while the second smaller container bottom wall at least substantially does not invert, in order for the second smaller container to become a substantially mirror-image inverted second smaller container extending in the same direction as, and interior to, the first container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventor: Alan Mark CRAWLEY
  • Publication number: 20190261814
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the formation of double-walled containers with the structure of two integrally connected and adjacent containers extending in the same direction with an air gap between them, stretch-blow moulded as single bodies out of thermoplastic material, and suitable for mass-production. A thermoplastic tubular blank is formed and then heat-conditioned. The heat-conditioned tubular blank is then mechanically stretched longitudinally and blow-formed outwards by gas pressure to conformingly and stretchingly assume the tubular blank to the shape of a first dual-container shaped mould cavity set in order to form a stretch-blow moulded first container integrally connected to a second container, with both containers extending in opposite directions. Next, additional heat-conditioning is applied to further heat-condition as necessary the stretch-blow moulded second container and if deemed an advantage, at least part of the first container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventor: Alan Mark CRAWLEY
  • Publication number: 20190031406
    Abstract: A pressurised headspace beverage closure 1 that may be opened and reclosed in at least substantially a one-handed manner; comprising a drinking aperture, at least one headspace pressure lock mechanism 5, at least one controlled-rate headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 6 and a sealing system 7 suitable for multiple re-use, and whereby when the headspace pressure 10 is at least substantially above or below atmospheric pressure the headspace pressure lock mechanism 5 may employ the use of the headspace pressure 10 itself to ensure that the closure cannot freely be opened by a user, whereby the headspace pressure equalisation valve arrangement 6 may freely enable the headspace pressure 10 to be vented such that it may at least substantially equalise with atmospheric pressure at a pre-set and controlled rate preferably independent of a user thereby allowing safe and controlled venting of the headspace pressure 10, and whereby once the headspace pressure 10 has at least substantially equalised with at
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventor: Alan Mark CRAWLEY
  • Patent number: 9339979
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, profiling a tube to form at least one profiled product having a first open end and a second open end. The tube (30) is supported on a support (19) which supports the tube along at least a substantial part of the length of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. At least a portion of the tube is heated to form at least one heat-softened portion of the tube in the region(s) corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. A fluid pressure change (28) is applied to the region(s) of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed to form at least one profiled product having a first open end, a second open end, and a predetermined shape with one or more three dimensional profile features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Publication number: 20140021210
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, profiling a tube to form at least one profiled product having a first open end and a second open end. The tube (30) is supported on a support (19) which supports the tube along at least a substantial part of the length of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. At least a portion of the tube is heated to form at least one heat-softened portion of the tube in the region(s) corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. A fluid pressure change (28) is applied to the region(s) of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed to form at least one profiled product having a first open end, a second open end, and a predetermined shape with one or more three dimensional profile features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Patent number: 8540926
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, profiling a tube to form at least one profiled product having a first open end and a second open end. The tube (30) is supported on a support (19) which supports the tube along at least a substantial part of the length of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. At least a portion of the tube is heated to form at least one heat-softened portion of the tube in the region(s) corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. A fluid pressure change (28) is applied to the region(s) of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed to form at least one profiled product having a first open end, a second open end, and a predetermined shape with one or more three dimensional profile features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Publication number: 20090283608
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, profiling a tube to form at least one profiled product having a first open end and a second open end. The tube (30) is supported on a support (19) which supports the tube along at least a substantial part of the length of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. At least a portion of the tube is heated to form at least one heat-softened portion of the tube in the region(s) corresponding to the product(s) to be formed. A fluid pressure change (28) is applied to the region(s) of the tube corresponding to the product(s) to be formed to form at least one profiled product having a first open end, a second open end, and a predetermined shape with one or more three dimensional profile features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Publication number: 20030150748
    Abstract: A packaging system or a closure (1) or base (3) for a packaging system which provides for a positive displacement (or “pumping”) of at least some of each of one or more components out of their separate and hermetically sealed chambers, using a twisting motion of the respective chambers, to combine them into a single main chamber (2) or separate container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Publication number: 20020176639
    Abstract: A rigid mouth bag with a rigid mouth that places no stress on the bag and which leaves no entrapment areas between the bag and the rigid mouth for product inside the rigid mouth bag to egress into. The rigid mouth is formed as a “Y” joint and the bag inserted between the prongs of the joint. The joint is closed and sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: AMCAD Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Patent number: 6484897
    Abstract: A container of variable volume includes an inner flexible member substantially enclosed in a number of interlocking outer sleeves. The volume of the container can be varied by moving at least one outer sleeve relative to another outer sleeve. The outer sleeves are moved to vary the volume of the container by rotating screw-threaded outer sleeves, moving an outer sleeve relative to another by a ratchet, or by using a multi-level bayonet type connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Amcad Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Alan Mark Crawley
  • Publication number: 20020025086
    Abstract: The invention provides a rigid mouth bag (2) with a rigid mouth (10) that places no stress on the bag and which leaves no entrapment areas between the bag and the rigid mouth for product inside the rigid mouth bag to egress into. The rigid mouth is formed as a “Y” joint and the bag inserted between the prongs of the joint. The joint is closed and sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: ALAN MARK CRAWLEY