Patents by Inventor Lutz Strube

Lutz Strube 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: 8181809
    Abstract: In order to provide a reversible closure for containers which are subjected to an internal pressure in accordance with the invention there is proposed a closure device (200) comprising a deformable stretchable planarly extending cover (205) which can be moved into at least two operating positions, wherein the cover is aligned in a first operating position with the opening of the container and in a second operating position it undercuts the opening of the container over the entire periphery with a peripheral edge portion (222) so that the undercutting region (33) on the cover and the undercut region on the container form complementary sealing surfaces for gas-tightly and liquid-tightly closing the opening. The closure device further has an actuable means (260) for applying a force to the cover for deformation of the cover in such a way that it is deformable from one of the two operating positions into the other operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Ball Packaging Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Lutz Strube
  • Publication number: 20090078703
    Abstract: The invention concerns a container comprising a container body of a material such as metal, PE or cardboard, having a primary opening which is closed by a metal plate portion acting as a first lid element, wherein the metal plate portion includes a lid tab which is defined by a separation line and which after being broken open opens a discharge opening, and the lid tab has an inclined surface co-operating with a first projection arranged on an opening means movable substantially parallel to the plate portion for applying a force to the lid tab in order to break open the separation line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: BALL PACKAGING EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Hundeloh, Lutz Strube
  • Publication number: 20080245806
    Abstract: In order to provide a reversible closure for containers which are subjected to an internal pressure in accordance with the invention there is proposed a closure device (200) comprising a deformable stretchable planarly extending cover (205) which can be moved into at least two operating positions, wherein the cover is aligned in a first operating position with the opening of the container and in a second operating position it undercuts the opening of the container over the entire periphery with a peripheral edge portion (222) so that the undercutting region (33) on the cover and the undercut region on the container form complementary sealing surfaces for gas-tightly and liquid-tightly closing the opening. The closure device further has an actuable means (260) for applying a force to the cover for deformation of the cover in such a way that it is deformable from one of the two operating positions into the other operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: BALL PACKAGING EUROPE GMBH
    Inventor: Lutz Strube
  • Patent number: 7278548
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a cover for a beverage can body (3) with an inner and an outer cover panel (30, 10) that are spaced apart from one another (h20) in the axial direction (100) such that an intermediate space (20) is formed which is able to accommodate an object (44, 45) that is invisible from the outside—from a viewing direction toward the outer cover panel (10). The inner cover panel (30) is connected to a mounting edge (36) via a curved section (30r) that forms a peripheral groove (2a) around the cover panel in order to realize the attachment to the beverage can body. The outer cover panel (10) is clamped relative to the inner cover panel (30) with an essentially radial force component (f11) such that a clamping point (11, 31) is formed in order to fix its axial distance (h20) relative to the inner cover panel (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ball Packaging Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Hajo Rieck, Lutz Strube, Dieter Heinecke
  • Patent number: 6908005
    Abstract: A can end made of sheet metal for containers which in a closed state has an increased inner pressure compared to an ambient pressure. The can end includes a substantially flat central panel, a portion in the central panel is smaller with respect to the panel, and is adapted to be broken out of the panel by tearing. The smaller portion is defined by a score line, and a tab that is adapted for gripping and serving for opening the smaller portion. The tab is mounted at the central panel. In a longitudinally limited section of the can end, following a starting portion of the score line, at least one of a metal structure and structure lines of the sheet metal below the score line have a substantially higher density compared to a metal structure of the sheet metal below at least adjacent score line sections for temporarily blocking the opening process, which is difficult to control, after initially breaking or tearing open the score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Lutz Strube, Peter Hoeft
  • Publication number: 20040129703
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a cover for a beverage can body (3) with an inner and an outer cover panel (30, 10) that are spaced apart from one another (h20) in the axial direction (100) such that an intermediate space (20) is formed which is able to accommodate an object (44, 45) that is invisible from the outside—from a viewing direction toward the outer cover panel (10). The inner cover panel (30) is connected to a mounting edge (36) via a curved section (30r) that forms a peripheral groove (2a) around the cover panel in order to realize the attachment to the beverage can body. The outer cover panel (10) is clamped relative to the inner cover panel (30) with an essentially radial force component (f11) such that a clamping point (11, 31) is formed in order to fix its axial distance (h20) relative to the inner cover panel (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Hajo Rieck, Lutz Strube, Dieter Heinecke
  • Publication number: 20040050739
    Abstract: The object of the process is to hide a visible and legible mark (7) impressed on one side of a thin metal sheet (6a) used for making beverage cans in such a way that an image does not show on the reverse side. A second impression (10; 11; 12; 13) is embossed on the reverse side (6b) in such a way that the visibility and legibility of the mark (7) is retained on the one side, but the image on the reverse side is covered and made illegible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Lutz Strube
  • Patent number: 6223931
    Abstract: A closure end is provided, particularly made of sheet material for beverage cans, in which an annular fringe region is radially coupled between the central panel portion and a radius of curvature coupled to a core groove with an inner leg. The central panel portion is squeezed such that material is displaced (flows) from the fringe region in a substantially radial outward direction towards the radius of curvature. The squeezing is accomplished by a coining tool having a coining surface operable to contact the closure end. The closure surface is pressed against the closure end causing the thickness of the sheet material of the closure end to be reduced in the annular fringe region. The reduction in thickness gradually decreasing in the direction of the radius of curvature. The material displaced by the squeezing flowing towards the radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Lutz Strube, Peter Hoft, Dieter Heinecke
  • Patent number: 6202880
    Abstract: An openable can end for a beverage can of usual type, having a first tear-out portion which seems to be openable, when a lever-type tab is operated. A second tear-out portion is also provided beside or outside the first portion, wherein the second tear-out portion tears out (or breaks in) instead of the expected first tear-out portion. Thus, it is possible to surprise the user upon opening such a beverage can, without impairing the simple and reliable opening of the beverage can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Lutz Strube, Richard Reichinger
  • Patent number: 5987956
    Abstract: A process for further treating a closure end made of sheet material is provided, particularly for beverage cans, in which an annular fringe region is radially coupled between the central panel portion and a radius of curvature coupled to a core groove with an inner leg. The central panel portion is squeezed such that material is displaced (flows) from the fringe region in a substantially radial outward direction towards the radius of curvature. The squeezing is accomplished by a coining tool having a coining surface operable to contact the closure end. The closure surface is pressed against the closure end causing the thickness of the sheet material of the closure end to be reduced in the annular fringe region. The reduction in thickness gradually decreasing in the direction of the radius of curvature. The material displaced by the squeezing flowing towards the radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Lutz Strube, Peter Hoft, Dieter Heinecke
  • Patent number: 5947673
    Abstract: An improvement in the shape of a fold in a tin can allows the use of sheet metal of lower gauge than that currently used. This is achieved with a fold geometry on a tin can which is closed off with a double fold, such as for a drink or food tin; by providing a continuous or stepped contour on the fold side; and by insuring that the lid hook is clearly in area-contact (positive fit) on its outer side with the free end of the body hook in its lower third. The invention may be applied to standard-gauge as well as thinner-gauge sheet metal, and generally results in a better seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventor: Lutz Strube
  • Patent number: 5832770
    Abstract: A process for further treating a closure end made of sheet material is provided, particularly for beverage cans, in which an annular fringe region is radially coupled between the central panel portion and a radius of curvature coupled to a core groove with an inner leg. The central panel portion is squeezed such that material is displaced (flows) from the fringe region in a substantially radial outward direction towards the radius of curvature. The squeezing is accomplished by a coining tool having a coining surface operable to contact the closure end. The closure surface is pressed against the closure end causing the thickness of the sheet material of the closure end to be reduced in the annular fringe region. The reduction in thickness gradually decreasing in the direction of the radius of curvature. The material displaced by the squeezing flowing towards the radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Lutz Strube, Peter Hoft, Dieter Heinecke