Patents by Inventor Erik E. Gatewood

Erik E. Gatewood 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: 20240124189
    Abstract: A can end (10) has a curl (14) extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis (50). A circumferential wall (15) extends downwardly. A strengthening member (16) is joined to lower segment of the circumferential wall (15). A center panel (12) extends radially inwardly from the circumferential strengthening member (16). A rivet (38) attaches a tab (28) to the center panel (12). A cover is attached to the tab (28) and is rotation therewith. A frangible score (24) in the center panel (12) is breakable to form a pour opening (27) in the center panel (12). The cover is rotatable to overlay the pour opening (27) and effectively reclose the pour opening (27) in a reclosed condition of the can end (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Charles H. CARSON, Erik E. GATEWOOD, John FINN
  • Patent number: 11225635
    Abstract: Beverage containers are provided for storing liquid contents. In various embodiments, containers are provided with devices and means for allowing a controlled ingress or oxygen or similar material to the container contents. In preferred embodiments, devices and methods for storing wine are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: BALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erik E. Gatewood, John L. Siles
  • Patent number: 10815027
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided which comprises a novel pull tab for collecting and distributing juice from fruit or vegetables into a pour opening in the end closure of the container. In some embodiments, the pull tab comprises a catch basin, raised rim, and fluid flow openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Erik E. Gatewood
  • Patent number: 10661943
    Abstract: A metallic container end closure is provided that generally comprises a primary pour opening and an extended or secondary score which is opened with a secondary tool to form a secondary pour opening. The fact that a secondary tool is required allows the secondary score to be shallower, and thus more secure than deeper scores that are openable by finger pressure alone. Once the secondary tool is used to fracture the secondary score, a secondary pour opening is produced adjacent to the primary pour opening to form a larger opening. A user may insert materials such as ice or oranges through the enlarged pour opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Erik E. Gatewood, Mark A. Jacober
  • Publication number: 20190048300
    Abstract: Beverage containers are provided for storing liquid contents. In various embodiments, containers are provided with devices and means for allowing a controlled ingress or oxygen or similar material to the container contents. In preferred embodiments, devices and methods for storing wine are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: BALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erik E. Gatewood, John L. Siles
  • Publication number: 20180257812
    Abstract: A metallic container end closure is provided that generally comprises a primary pour opening and an extended or secondary score which is opened with a secondary tool to form a secondary pour opening. The fact that a secondary tool is required allows the secondary score to be shallower, and thus more secure than deeper scores that are openable by finger pressure alone. Once the secondary tool is used to fracture the secondary score, a secondary pour opening is produced adjacent to the primary pour opening to form a larger opening. A user may insert materials such as ice or oranges through the enlarged pour opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Erik E. Gatewood, Mark A. Jacober
  • Patent number: 9969524
    Abstract: A metallic container end closure is provided that generally comprises a primary pour opening and an extended or secondary score which is opened with a secondary tool to form a secondary pour opening. The fact that a secondary tool is required allows the secondary score to be shallower, and thus more secure than deeper scores that are openable by finger pressure alone. Once the secondary tool is used to fracture the secondary score, a secondary pour opening is produced adjacent to the primary pour opening to form a larger opening. A user may insert materials such as ice or oranges through the enlarged pour opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Erik E. Gatewood, Mark A. Jacober
  • Patent number: 9815591
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided that comprises a novel center panel for collecting and distributing fluids and solids into a pour opening of the end closure. The fluids and solids may be juice and fruit or vegetable pieces. The end closure may further comprise a novel pull tab for assisting in the collection and distribution of the fluids and solids into the pour opening of the end closure. In one embodiment, the center panel comprises a catch basin and a luge for collecting and directing fluids and solids into the pour opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Erik E. Gatewood, Mark A. Jacober
  • Publication number: 20160052667
    Abstract: A metallic container end closure is provided that generally comprises a primary pour opening and an extended or secondary score which is opened with a secondary tool to form a secondary pour opening. The fact that a secondary tool is required allows the secondary score to be shallower, and thus more secure than deeper scores that are openable by finger pressure alone. Once the secondary tool is used to fracture the secondary score, a secondary pour opening is produced adjacent to the primary pour opening to form a larger opening. A user may insert materials such as ice or oranges through the enlarged pour opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Erik E. Gatewood, Mark A. Jacober
  • Publication number: 20160052668
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided that comprises a novel center panel for collecting and distributing fluids and solids into a pour opening of the end closure. The fluids and solids may be juice and fruit or vegetable pieces. The end closure may further comprise a novel pull tab for assisting in the collection and distribution of the fluids and solids into the pour opening of the end closure. In one embodiment, the center panel comprises a catch basin and a luge for collecting and directing fluids and solids into the pour opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: BALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erik E. Gatewood, Mark A. Jacober
  • Publication number: 20160039565
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided which comprises a novel pull tab for collecting and distributing juice from fruit or vegetables into a pour opening in the end closure of the container. In some embodiments, the pull tab comprises a catch basin, raised rim, and fluid flow openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: BALL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Erik E. Gatewood
  • Patent number: 7748552
    Abstract: A molded polymeric container generally symmetric about a vertical axis includes at least two rows of panels disposed circumferentially around the body, the panels having central portions that are sufficiently flexible to be dimensionally responsive to changes in pressure within the container. At least one row of the panels has a margin having a horizontal width exceeding the vertical height, thus being laterally elongate with a height/width aspect ratio of less than one. The pressure responsive central portion of each laterally elongate panel is a smooth outwardly projecting dome from a peripheral root of a generally radially projecting wall defining the margins of circumferential rings and posts separating the panels. Panels in another row can have an ovate step connecting the perimeter of the panel to the central portion of the panel. Outward protrusions can be provided within the central portion to provide support for a surrounding label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Livingston, Erik E. Gatewood, Brian D. Tyree, Adam P. S. Stowitts
  • Patent number: 7748551
    Abstract: A thin walled, plastic hot-fill container has a finish to receive a closure, a neck supporting the finish, a shoulder situated below the neck, a base, and a body between the shoulder and base. The body includes upper and lower margins defining a label mount area that includes a plurality of inwardly recessed vacuum panels separated by vertical posts. At least one indented reinforcing ring separates the upper and lower edges of the vacuum panels from the adjacent margins of the label mount area by a distance D. Each vacuum panel includes an inclined upper and lower margin of height H that is greater than distance D, and has corners defined by radius R, which is less than or equal to D. Lateral margins of each vacuum panel extend vertically between the corners and connect the adjacent posts to a central depressed region, each lateral margin being essentially perpendicular to the adjacent surface of the vacuum panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Erik E. Gatewood, Brian D. Tyree, John J. Livingston
  • Patent number: 7243808
    Abstract: A molded polymeric container generally symmetric about a vertical axis includes at least two rows of panels disposed circumferentially around the body, the panels having central portions that are sufficiently flexible to be dimensionally responsive to changes in pressure within the container. At least one row of the panels has a margin having a horizontal width exceeding the vertical height, thus being laterally elongate with a height/width aspect ratio of less than one. The pressure responsive central portion of each laterally elongate panel is a smooth outwardly projecting dome from a peripheral root of a generally radially projecting wall defining the margins of circumferential rings and posts separating the panels. The outwardly projection domes of the laterally elongate panels can have a variety of shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Livingston, Erik E. Gatewood, Brian D. Tyree
  • Patent number: D522874
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Bail Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Livingston, Erik E. Gatewood, Brian D. Tyree, Michael L. Vaughn
  • Patent number: D523341
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Livingston, Erik E. Gatewood, Brian D. Tyree, Michael L. Vaughn
  • Patent number: D525139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: John J Livingston, Erik E Gatewood, Brian D Tyree
  • Patent number: D525530
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: John Jason Livingston, Erik E. Gatewood
  • Patent number: D530614
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Erik E. Gatewood
  • Patent number: D538660
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Erik E. Gatewood