Patents by Inventor Christopher G. Neiner
Christopher G. Neiner 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).
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Patent number: 9156585Abstract: The embodiments disclosed describe a double opening beverage can lid system. The system includes a can lid having a pour panel associated with a pour opening and a vent panel associated with a vent opening. A tab is attached to the can lid. The tab includes a primary tab portion configured to open the pour opening, and a secondary tab portion configured to open the vent opening. A rivet hole facilitates attachment of the primary tab portion and the secondary tab portion to the can lid. A shelf is bent about 180° around a rear edge of the primary tab portion. The shelf blocks at least a portion of the secondary tab portion from contacting the vent panel.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: ANHEUSER-BUSCH InBEV S.A.Inventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 8783496Abstract: An improved beverage container of the type having a lid, a pour panel defined in the lid by a pour score and a vent panel defined in the lid by a vent score. A tab pivotally is mounted to the lid, wherein lifting the tab about a pivot in a lifting direction fractures the pour score and opens the pour panel. A secondary tab is carried by the tab, and is released into contact with the vent panel by lifting the tab to fracture the pour score, wherein pressing the tab in a direction generally opposite the lifting direction causes the secondary tab to fracture the vent score and open the vent panel. At least one anti-rotation member is disposed between the tab and the lid to prevent the tab from rotating about the rivet.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev, SAInventors: Christopher G. Neiner, Ancil Louis Lackey, Robert Joseph Will, Richard Lynn Wise, Jason Davidson
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Publication number: 20130264344Abstract: An improved beverage container of the type having a lid, a pour panel defined in the lid by a pour score and a vent panel defined in the lid by a vent score. A tab pivotally is mounted to the lid, wherein lifting the tab about a pivot in a lifting direction fractures the pour score and opens the pour panel. A secondary tab is carried by the tab, and is released into contact with the vent panel by lifting the tab to fracture the pour score, wherein pressing the tab in a direction generally opposite the lifting direction causes the secondary tab to fracture the vent score and open the vent panel. At least one anti-rotation member is disposed between the tab and the lid to prevent the tab from rotating about the rivet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: Anheuser-Busch InBev, SAInventors: Christopher G. Neiner, Ancil Louis Lackey, Robert Joseph Will, Richard Lynn Wise, Jason Davidson
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Publication number: 20130264343Abstract: The embodiments disclosed describe a double opening beverage can lid system. The system includes a can lid having a pour panel associated with a pour opening and a vent panel associated with a vent opening. A tab is attached to the can lid. The tab includes a primary tab portion configured to open the pour opening, and a secondary tab portion configured to open the vent opening. A rivet hole facilitates attachment of the primary tab portion and the secondary tab portion to the can lid. A shelf is bent about 180° around a rear edge of the primary tab portion. The shelf blocks at least a portion of the secondary tab portion from contacting the vent panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV, SAInventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 8490825Abstract: Over the years there have been numerous attempts to improve the can lid oftentimes found on aluminum beverage can lids. The aims have traditionally been to reduce costs and improve performance. These aims have been accomplished through a variety of means, such as creating different formations within the can lid to reduce the amount of metal used while maintaining performance levels. Here, step portions are utilized between the annular countersink and the center panel of the can lid that cause a curvature of the center panel or to simply provide an angled inside wall. These formations, thus, reduce the amount of metal used while maintaining quality and yielding the desired performance.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Inventors: James Reed, Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 7673768Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate portion extending radially outward from the annular countersink, a step portion extending radially upward and outward from the arcuate portion, a first transitional portion extending radially outward from the step portion, a second transitional portion extending radially outward and upward from the first transitional portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the second transitional portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Metal Container CorporationInventors: James Reed, Christopher G. Neiner
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Publication number: 20080230548Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate portion extending radially outward from the annular countersink, a step portion extending radially upward and outward from the arcuate portion, a first transitional portion extending radially outward from the step portion, a second transitional portion extending radially outward and upward from the first transitional portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the second transitional portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: METAL CONTAINER CORPORATIONInventors: James REED, Christopher G. NEINER
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Patent number: 7380684Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate portion extending radially outward from the annular countersink, a step portion extending radially upward and outward from the arcuate portion, a first transitional portion extending radially outward from the step portion, a second transitional portion extending radially outward and upward from the first transitional portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the second transitional portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Metal Container CorporationInventors: James Reed, Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 7165696Abstract: A stay-on-tab container closure suitable for use on beverage cans and the like, said closure including an center panel with an downwardly displaceable tear panel, which, in one aspect, has a smooth upper surface having no visually perceptible contour features, and which, in another aspect, has low-relief contour features on its upper surface. Closures according to the invention have reduced stresses across the score defining the tear panel, thereby reducing the likelihood of stress-induced fatigue cracking which can lead to score failure when the container closure is joined to a can body and the resulting can is internally pressurized.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Metal Container CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 7100789Abstract: The present invention describes a beverage can end which utilizes less material and has an improved internal buckle strength based on the geometric configuration of a chuck wall, inner panel wall and central panel, and which utilizes an inwardly oriented concave arch on the chuck wall with a radius of curvature between about 0.015 inches and 0.080 inches.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Ball CorporationInventors: Tuan A. Nguyen, Jess N. Bathurst, James A. Reed, Christopher G. Neiner
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Publication number: 20040140312Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate chuckwall extending radially outward from the annular countersink, an arcuate step portion extending radially outward from the arcuate chuckwall, a transitional portion extending radially outward from the arcuate step portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the transitional portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2004Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 6702142Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate chuckwall extending radially outward from the annular countersink, an arcuate step portion extending radially outward from the arcuate chuckwall, a transitional portion extending radially outward from the arcuate step portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the transitional portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Metal Container CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Publication number: 20030173367Abstract: The present invention describes a beverage can end which utilizes less material and has an improved internal buckle strength based on the geometric configuration of a chuck wall, inner panel wall and central panel, and which utilizes an inwardly oriented concave arch on the chuck wall with a radius of curvature between about 0.015 inches and 0.080 inches.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Tuan A. Nguyen, Jess N. Bathurst, James A. Reed, Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 6561004Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate portion extending radially outward from the annular countersink, a step portion extending radially upward and outward from the arcuate portion, a first transitional portion extending radially outward from the step portion, a second transitional portion extending radially outward and upward from the first transitional portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the second transitional portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Metal Container CorporationInventors: Christopher G. Neiner, James Reed
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Patent number: 6499622Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate chuckwall extending radially outward from the annular countersink, an arcuate step portion extending radially outward from the arcuate chuckwall, a transitional portion extending radially outward from the arcuate step portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the transitional portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Metal Container Corporation, Inc.Inventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Publication number: 20020190071Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the disclosed can lid has a center panel having a central axis that is perpendicular to a diameter of the outer rim, or peripheral curl portion, of the can lid, an annular countersink surrounding the center panel, an arcuate chuckwall extending radially outward from the annular countersink, an arcuate step portion extending radially outward from the arcuate chuckwall, a transitional portion extending radially outward from the arcuate step portion, and a peripheral curl portion extending outwardly from the transitional portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Publication number: 20020104842Abstract: A stay-on-tab container closure suitable for use on beverage cans and the like, said closure including an center panel with an downwardly displaceable tear panel, which, in one aspect, has a smooth upper surface having no visually perceptible contour features, and which, in another aspect, has low-relief contour features on its upper surface. Closures according to the invention have reduced stresses across the score defining the tear panel, thereby reducing the likelihood of stress-induced fatigue cracking which can lead to score failure when the container closure is joined to a can body and the resulting can is internally pressurized.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2002Publication date: August 8, 2002Applicant: Metal Container CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: 6405889Abstract: A stay-on-tab container closure suitable for use on beverage cans and the like, said closure including an center panel with an downwardly displaceable tear panel, which, in one aspect, has a smooth upper surface having no visually perceptible contour features, and which, in another aspect, has low-relief contour features on its upper surface. Closures according to the invention have reduced stresses across the score defining the tear panel, thereby reducing the likelihood of stress-induced fatigue cracking which can lead to score failure when the container closure is joined to a can body and the resulting can is internally pressurized.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Metal Container CorporationInventor: Christopher G. Neiner
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Patent number: D708060Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Anheuser-Busche InBev, SAInventors: Christopher G. Neiner, Ancil Louis Lackey, Robert Joseph Will
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Patent number: D708516Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev, SAInventors: Christopher G. Neiner, Ancil Louis Lackey, Robert Joseph Will, Richard Lynn Wise, Jason Davidson