Patents by Inventor Allan K. Cress

Allan K. Cress 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).

  • Patent number: 4935091
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved apparatus and method for manufacturing completed foam plastic containers. An endless mandrel chain carries cup forming mandrels along a manufacturing path. After each mandrel is preheated, a bottom blank is placed on the mandrel bottom and held there by a vacuum. A cylindrical blank formed from longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material is then placed onto the mandrel. This cylindrical blank is tightly tamped onto the mandrel and is clamped in place. Radiant heat is then used to shrink form a finished container. The bottom is then sealed to the cylindrical blank and the mandrel is transferred to a curling assembly where the top edge portion of each finished container is lubricated and then curled to form a finished rim. The apparatus of the present invention may form containers having a dual tapered configuration which allows the containers to be more tightly stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventors: Allan K. Cress, Charles E. Busse
  • Patent number: 4559765
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method wherein preprinted rectangular blanks of longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material are continuously formed into cylinders by a tubular forming mandrel on which the blanks are folded, seamed and thereafter transferred onto final forming mandrels. Subsequently, the blanks and the final mandrels are heated to shrink the blanks so that they assume the shape of the final forming mandrels. In forming containers, means are provided to place bottom blanks on the product mandrels prior to the loading of the cylinders thereon so as to shrink the cylinders to sidewall shapes overlying the bottom blanks. The top curl on containers such as drinking cups and food tubs is formed after shrink forming. Further, the bottom seam of the container may be reinforced by ironing after shrink forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventors: Allan K. Cress, Charles E. Busse
  • Patent number: 4453998
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved apparatus and method for manufacturing completed foam plastic containers. An endless mandrel chain continuously carries cup forming mandrels along a manufacturing path. Cylindrical blanks are formed and transferred to the mandrels along the endless mandrel carrier chain. As the endless mandrel carrier chain passes the cylindrical blanks and associated bottom blanks through a heat shrink oven, it is important for the endless mandrel carrier chain to continuously travel in order to prevent the heat damage which would be present if the cup blanks were halted in the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventors: Allan K. Cress, Charles E. Busse
  • Patent number: 4365460
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method wherein preprinted rectangular blanks of longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material are continuously formed into cylinders by a tubular forming mandrel on which the blanks are folded, seamed and thereafter transferred onto final forming mandrels. Subsequently, the blanks and the final mandrels are heated to shrink the blanks so that they assume the shape of the final forming mandrels. In forming containers, means are provided to place bottom blanks on the product mandrels prior to the loading of the cylinders thereon so as to shrink the cylinders to sidewall shapes overlying the bottom blanks. The top curl on containers such as drinking cups and food tubs is formed after shrink forming. Further, the bottom seam of the container may be reinforced by ironing after shrink forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventors: Allan K. Cress, Charles E. Busse
  • Patent number: 4306849
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method wherein bottom blanks for containers are severed from a web feed roll and subsequently transferred at a compatible speed and spacing to final forming mandrels on which finished containers are to be formed. The bottom blanks are tangentially transferred from a first transfer turret at a final velocity and spacing most desirable for cutting and minimizing scrap to a second transfer turret at a second velocity and spacing and thereafter tangentially transferred to the final forming mandrels. Subsequently, preprinted rectangular blanks of longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material formed into cylinders are transferred onto the final forming mandrels. Thereafter, the bottom blanks the cylindrical blanks and the final forming mandrels are heated to shrink the cylindrical blanks so that they assume the shape of the final forming mandrels. The top curl on containers such as drinking cups and food tubs is formed after shrink forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventors: Allan K. Cress, Charles E. Busse
  • Patent number: 4121402
    Abstract: Preprinted rectangular blanks of longitudinally stretch-oriented foam sheet material are formed into cylinders by a continuous folder and seamer and transferred onto mandrels on which they are shrunken by heat to assume the shape of the mandrel. In forming containers, means are provided to place bottom blanks on the mandrels prior to the loading of the cylinders thereon so as to shrink the cylinders to sidewall shapes overlying the bottom blanks. The top curl on containers such as drinking cups and food tubs is formed after shrink forming and the bottom seam of the container is also reinforced by ironing after shrink forming. A method of continuously forcing and filling containers on a continuous in-line basis is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventors: Allan K. Cress, Charles E. Busse