Patents by Inventor Ernest J. Clowes

Ernest J. Clowes 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: 5718143
    Abstract: A container end, including a die and the method for making, for pressurized containers includes a circular center panel, an inner annular panel around the center panel, and an outer annular panel around the inner annular panel. The inner annular panel has a generally arcuate cross-section viewed in a plane extending radially from the centerpoint of the container lid. The inner annular panel comprises a plurality of first segments, spaced apart about the circumference of the inner annular panel, and a plurality of second segments, with at least one second segment being positioned between adjacent pairs of first segments. The radius of curvature of the arcuate cross section of each of the first segments is less than the radius of curvature of the arcuate cross section of each of the second segments, so that the radius of curvature of the inner annular panel varies along the circumferential length of the inner annular panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest J. Clowes
  • Patent number: 5645189
    Abstract: A container end, including a die and the method for making, for pressurized containers includes a circular center panel, an inner annular panel around the center panel, and an outer annular panel around the inner annular panel. The inner annular panel has a generally arcuate cross-section viewed in a plane extending radially from the centerpoint of the container lid. The inner annular panel comprises a plurality of first segments, spaced apart about the circumference of the inner annular panel, and a plurality of second segments, with at least one second segment being positioned between adjacent pairs of first segments. The radius of curvature of the arcuate cross section of each of the first segments is less than the radius of curvature of the arcuate cross section of each of the second segments, so that the radius of curvature of the inner annular panel varies along the circumferential length of the inner annular panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Metal Container Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest J. Clowes
  • Patent number: 5373721
    Abstract: A method of scoring a metal panel such as a can end lid includes forming a first scoreline having a base and a pair of lateral walls and subsequently forming a second scoreline within the first scoreline by indenting a portion of the first scoreline base. The final scoreline may be created by employing two or more scoring operations after the first scoreline has been formed. The apparatus preferably includes a press which supports the first scoring die and second scoring die in such a manner as to establish the desired sequence of scoring operations. This method and associated apparatus provide a scored metal panel or container lid having improved performance characteristics. The resultant lid is characterized by reduced residual strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert E. Welsh, Ernest J. Clowes
  • Patent number: 4969348
    Abstract: This invention provides a feed system comprising a base on which a portion of the article being fed rests. The base extends along a feed path for the article. The feed system also includes at least one rotatable feed screw lying in an axis parallel to the feed path. The feed screw includes an entry end, a discharge end and a continuous, helical groove having a profile for receiving a portion of the article being fed. The feed system includes a linkage device for transferring reciprocating motion of a reciprocating press into which the articles are fed into rotary motion of the feed screw, and a feeding device for feeding articles into the groove at the entry end. The feed system also comprises a cooperating second screw or a resilient guide bar, for maintaining the article within and along the feed path as the feed screw is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Ernest J. Clowes, John J. Kester
  • Patent number: 4685322
    Abstract: A method of forming a drawn and redrawn container body which includes forming an inwardly projecting annular bead in the end wall of a drawn cup to be redrawn in order to prevent wrinkling in the end wall when it is subsequently formed into a pressure-resistant profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Ernest J. Clowes
  • Patent number: 4522049
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy food can body and a method of forming the same whereby an uncoated high strength aluminum alloy sheet stock is blanked and drawn into a sized cup and redrawn by one or more redraws to form the sized can body. The end wall of the can body is formed into a pressure resistant profile, the side wall adjacent the open end is trimmed and outwardly flanged, a plurality of annular beads is formed in a central portion of the side wall, and at least the interior of the can body is coated with a material compatible with the food product to be packaged in the can. An end portion of the can side wall is ironed to reduce its thickness during at least one of the redraw operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Ernest J. Clowes