Patents by Inventor Gerard M. Louwerse

Gerard M. Louwerse 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: 5711178
    Abstract: A die for use in a stage of a multi-stage die-necking process of a metal body such as a beverage can, has a surface around a center-line. The die surface, seen in longitudinal section through the center-line, has a profile which includes in direct succession a feed-in zone, an intermediate zone and a neck zone. The intermediate zone has, as well as a contact part, a relatively steep part in which tangents to the die surface include an angle .alpha. to the center-line greater than .alpha..sub.n, where .alpha..sub.n is the neck angle between the necked part following die-necking and the center-line of the body. The presence of this non-contact steep part reduces the axial force needed in the die-necking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Hoogovens Staal BV
    Inventors: Auke Hogendoorn, Gerard M. Louwerse, Hans N. Schaaper
  • Patent number: 5671860
    Abstract: Full-aperture easy-open metal can-end for a can of the lift-up type with a tab, having an endless score-line close to its outer circumference of the can-end, wherein the removable part is profiled with a plurality of terraces at different heights, including an outer terrace close to the outer circumference of the can-end, an innermost terrace and at least one intermediate terrace. Adjacent terraces merge into one another with a height transition. To achieve low tear-force and/or other advantages, the intermediate terrace is inclined in a direction opposite to that of the outwardly adjoining transition at an angle .alpha. in the range 3 to 20 degrees to a plane perpendicular to the can axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Hoogovens Staal, B.V.
    Inventors: Gerard M. Louwerse, Eelco A. Stevens