Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Moen

Bruce A. Moen 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: 5307947
    Abstract: A container end member having a peripheral wall portion and an integral central wall portion is provided and which has at least one severable tab portion integral with the central wall portion and having a hinge portion having spaced apart ends and wherein a recessed portion is formed between the central end wall portion and the severable tab portion and has an axial thickness less than the axial thickness of the remaining portions of the central end wall portion and the severable tab portion and at least one severable score line groove having a main body portion and integral end portions defining the spaced apart ends of the hinge portion is formed in the recessed portion and at least a portion of the at least one score line groove extends in a transverse direction in the recessed portion. Also, apparatus is provided for controlling the amount of force applied to a container end member during the formation of a score line groove therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Moen, Harold Cook, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5172981
    Abstract: A spherical hydrostatic bearing having a ball mounted in a split socket for substantially friction free movement relative thereto and a linear hydrostatic bearing extending through the ball and having a longitudinal axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the ball for permitting substantially friction free sliding movement of a rod. Also, apparatus is provided for at least limiting rotational movement of the ball around the longitudinal axis of the split socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Warren R. Williams, Roger A. Hahn, Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 5142769
    Abstract: A control assembly for use in controlling the operation of a can end press of the type having a plurality of operating stations for performing different work operations on a can end passing through the press, each operating station including a fixed station portion and a reciprocally movable station portion which engages a can end mounted on the fixed station portion, comprising: strain gauge operatively associated with at least one of the operating stations for detecting the strain experienced in a portion of the station during press operation and for providing a strain gauge signal indicative thereof; data processing assembly for receiving and processing the signal of the strain gauge for detecting a signal condition conforming to predetermined criteria associated with an abnormal operating state of the press and for providing a control signal responsive to the detected abnormal operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Phillip W. Gold, Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 5119311
    Abstract: A control assembly for use in controlling the operation of a can end press of the type having a plurality of operating stations for performing different work operations on a can end passing through the press, each operating station including a fixed station portion and a reciprocally movable station portion which engages a can end mounted on the fixed station portion, comprising: strain gauge operatively associated with at least one of the operating stations for detecting the strain experienced in a portion of the station during press operation and for providing a strain gauge signal indicative thereof; data processing assembly for receiving and processing the signal of the strain gauge for detecting a signal condition conforming to predetermined criteria associated with an abnormal operating state of the press and for providing a control signal responsive to the detected abnormal operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Phillip W. Gold, Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 5056350
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for stripping a can body having an open end and a closed end from the punch on a reciprocating ram of a can body making apparatus wherein a cavity exists between the closed end and the punch and wherein the ram has a forward stroke and a return stroke by moving the closed end into contact with doming apparatus during the forward stroke to move a valve from a closed to an opened position to feed air under pressure into the cavity to hold the closed end against the doming apparatus during the return stroke until the can body is separated from the punch and ejecting the stripped can body from the doming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Moen, Warren R. Williams, Bert E. Johansson, Leo W. Mayer
  • Patent number: 5016462
    Abstract: Can ironing die members for use in a tool pack assembly which is part of a can body making apparatus used in forming cups into can bodies and wherein each can ironing die member is mounted in a fixedly mounted holding member so that the can ironing die member can be moved in radial directions by the cup from an initial location to a new location if the longitudinal axes of the cup and the can ironing die member are not in alignment and retaining apparatus for retaining the can ironing die member at the new location until moved again by an out of alignment cup. Also, the can ironing die member can be rotated relative to the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Conrad M. Grims, Bruce A. Moen, Jaroslav F. Pardubicky
  • Patent number: 5011037
    Abstract: A container end member is provided and has a first severable tab portion which is defined by a score line groove and has an integral hinge portion for permanently securing it to the container end member and a force applying tab portion permanently pivotally mounted on the container end member and used to apply a force on the first severable tab portion to form a pour opening in the container end member and a second severable tab portion having an integral hinge portion for permanently securing it to the container end member and having a raised surface projecting outwardly from the container end member so that a force may be applied thereto to sever the second severable tab portion and form a vent opening in the container end member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Moen, Harold Cook, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4939665
    Abstract: A control assembly for use in controlling the operation of a can end press of the type having a plurality of operating stations for performing different work operations on a can end passing through the press, each operating station including a fixed station portion and a reciprocally movable station portion which engages a can end mounted on the fixed station portion, comprising: strain gauge operatively associated with at least one of the operating stations for detecting the strain experienced in a portion of the station during press operation and for providing a strain gauge signal indicative thereof; data processing assembly for receiving and processing the signal of the strain gauge for detecting a signal condition conforming to predetermined criteria associated with an abnormal operating state of the press and for providing a control signal responsive to the detected abnormal operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Phillip W. Gold, Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 4926669
    Abstract: Can ironing die members for use in a tool pack assembly which is part of a can body making apparatus used in forming cups into can bodies and wherein each can ironing die member is mounted in a fixedly mounted holding member so that the can ironing die member can be moved in radial directions by the cup from an initial location to a new location if the longitudinal axes of the cup and the can ironing die member are not in alignment and retaining apparatus for retaining the can ironing die member at the new location until moved again by an out of alignment cup. Also, the can ironing die member can be rotated relative to the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Conrad M. Grims, Bruce A. Moen, Jaroslav F. Pardubicky
  • Patent number: 4892209
    Abstract: A liquor bottle capping assembly comprising a perforated member fixedly attachable to the liquor bottle in covering relationship with a threaded opening in the liquor bottle for preventing flame propagation into the liquor bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Jan L. Dorfman, Harold Cook, Jr., Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 4843863
    Abstract: Can ironing die members for use in a tool pack assembly which is part of a can body making apparatus used in forming cups into can bodies and wherein each can ironing die member is mounted in a fixedly mounted holding means so that the can ironing die member can be moved by the cup from an initial location to a new location if the longitudinal axes of the cup and the can ironing die member are not in alignment and retaining apparatus for retaining the can ironing die member at the new location until moved again by an out of alignment cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Conrad M. Grims, Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 4804104
    Abstract: A container end member provided with a score line groove defining a severable tab portion that can be severed by applying an inwardly directed force thereto and a hinge portion for retaining the severable tab portion attached to the container end member and a one-piece integrally formed plastic member pivotally secured to the container end member and comprising an elongated body portion having an abutment end portion overlying a portion of the severable tab portion for applying the axially inwardly directed force thereto and a transverse handle end portion overlying another portion of the container end member so that when an axially outwardly directed force is applied to the transverse handle end portion, the elongated body portion will pivot relative to the container end member so that the transverse abutment end portion will apply the axially inwardly directed force to the portion of the severable tab portion to sever the severable tab portion along the score line groove and form an outlet opening in the co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventor: Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 4767016
    Abstract: A liquor bottle capping assembly comprising a perforated member fixedly attachable to the liquor bottle in covering relationship with a threaded opening in the liquor bottle for preventing flame propagation into the liquor bottle; a penetration discouraging device operatively associated with the perforated member for discouraging and providing evidence of penetration of the perforated member as by a hypodermic needle; a sheet fixedly attached to the penetration discouraging device and tearably removably attached to the perforated member for sealing the bottle opening and for providing evidence of tampering with the capping assembly; a cap threadably attachable and detachable on the threaded opening for providing a removable and reattachable closure for the liquor bottle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Harold Cook, Jr., Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 4733793
    Abstract: A container end member provided with a score line groove defining a severable tab portion that can be severed by applying an inwardly directed force thereto and a hinge portion for retaining the severable tab portion attached to the container end member and a one-piece integrally formed plastic member pivotally secured to the container end member and comprising an elongated body portion having an abutment end portion overlying a portion of the severable tab portion for applying the axially inwardly directed force thereto and a finger hole, ring pull handle end portion overlying another portion of the container end member so that when an axially outwardly directed force is applied to the transverse handle end portion, the elongated body portion will pivot relative to the container end member so that the transverse abutment end portion will apply the axially inwardly directed force to the portion of the severable tab portion to sever the severable tab portion along the score line groove and form an outlet openi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventor: Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 4605839
    Abstract: A device for heating a plurality of radiant absorbers which utilizes a source of radiant energy in conjunction with a plurality of curved reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces function to provide a device which directs essentially all of the radiation emitted by the radiant source onto the radiant absorbers. High efficiency is obtained as well as the ability to heat more than one radiant absorber simultaneously. Reflective surfaces can comprise, in general, curved surfaces, multiradius surfaces, or portions of ellipses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: David E. Rasmussen, Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 4592720
    Abstract: A reheating and blow molding system utilizing an indexing plate having pairs of core pins mounted on the periphery. Radiant heaters heat parisons mounted on the core pin to a temperature suitable for blow molding while the parisons are rotated in response to movement of a spin belt. Rotation of the parisons during heating provides greater uniformity of heating. Tapered shanks remove the core pins from core pin holders and dispose the parisons in a mold for blow molding. The core pins are then disposed in the core pin holders and indexed to a subsequent indexing location where the finished article is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Larry M. Dugan, Bruce A. Moen, David E. Rasmussen, Christopher S. Derks, Richard L. Szabo, William C. Carlsen, Robert J. DeRoche, James W. Ditto
  • Patent number: 4591066
    Abstract: A unitary blow molded plastic body is described which may be severed to provide a plurality of body sections including a first body section, which may be used to receive a liquid therein, and a second body section which may be attached about a bottom portion of the first section to provide a stabilizing and reinforcing base cup. The compound plastic body formed by the first and second section may be sealed as by an aluminum can end to provide a sealed container capable of containing a pressurized liquid beverage such as soda pop or beer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventor: Bruce A. Moen
  • Patent number: 4575443
    Abstract: A device and method for flash suppression in a molding with rotation system having a non-rotating mating surface capable of venting gases during the molding process while simultaneously suppressing flash. Flash is directed inwardly and away from the mating surface and contained between a mandrel and mandrel housing in a low pressure reservoir which is completely separate from the mating surface. A cooling fluid is utilized to carry away flash particles from the low pressure reservoir and thereby further prevent contamination of the mating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Moen, Roger A. Hahn