Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Nahill
Thomas E. Nahill 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: 10773875Abstract: A method of forming a plastic aerosol container, including, providing a preform having a finish portion, blow molding a plastic container from the preform, and reforming the finish portion so that an inner surface thereof has an undercut defined therein proximate an upper rim fo the finish portion. The undercut includes a substantially horizontal orientation and reforming the finish portion is performed after providing a preform.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Ralph Armstrong, Thomas E. Nahill, Keith J. Barker, Brian A. Lynch
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Patent number: 10442604Abstract: A plastic aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 50-300 psig. The plastic aerosol container also includes a finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The finish portion may be threaded or unthreaded. The finish portion has a side wall, an upper sealing surface, at least one helical thread and a support ledge beneath the helical thread. Reinforcement structure is positioned beneath the support ledge for reinforcing the finish portion against deformation due to the pressurization. A method of stabilizing a plastic aerosol container is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
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Publication number: 20190152683Abstract: An aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 90-180 prig and a threaded finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The threaded finish portion has at least one helical thread, a support ledge beneath the helical thread and a secondary flange that is positioned beneath the support ledge. The secondary flange has an outer circumference that is noncircular in at least one location, whereby it may be engaged during a capping operation to prevent rotation of the container during capping. A method of making an aerosol container in which a preform is capped before the blow molding process is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, JR., Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
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Patent number: 10202233Abstract: An aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 90-180 psig and a threaded finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The threaded finish portion has at least one helical thread, a support ledge beneath the helical thread and a secondary flange that is positioned beneath the support ledge. The secondary flange has an outer circumference that is noncircular in at least one location, whereby it may be engaged during a capping operation to prevent rotation of the container during capping. A method of making an aerosol container in which a preform is capped before the blow molding process is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
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Patent number: 9993959Abstract: Disclosed is a mold for forming a deep grip container, the mold having drive mechanisms opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. The drive mechanisms may be located entirely within the mold and may include a slotted cam. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip comprising: providing a mold hanger having an outer envelope and providing within the outer envelope a drive mechanism to drive moveable inserts into the mold after blowing molten plastic into contact with the mold. Further disclosed is a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip manufactured according to the disclosed methods.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Stephen R. Guerin, David P. Piccioli, Thomas E. Nahill, Keith J. Barker
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Publication number: 20180037399Abstract: A method of forming a plastic aerosol container, including, providing a preform having a finish portion, blow molding a plastic container from the preform, and reforming the finish portion so that an inner surface thereof has an undercut defined therein proximate an upper rim fo the finish portion. The undercut includes a substantially horizontal orientation and reforming the finish portion is performed after providing a preform.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Ralph Armstrong, Thomas E. Nahill, Keith J. Barker, Brian A. Lynch
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Publication number: 20170320654Abstract: A plastic aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 50-300 psig. The plastic aerosol container also includes a finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The finish portion may be threaded or unthreaded. The finish portion has a side wall, an upper sealing surface, at least one helical thread and a support ledge beneath the helical thread. Reinforcement structure is positioned beneath the support ledge for reinforcing the finish portion against deformation due to the pressurization. A method of stabilizing a plastic aerosol container is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
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Patent number: 9745118Abstract: A plastic aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 50-300 psig. The plastic aerosol container also includes a finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The finish portion may be threaded or unthreaded. The finish portion has a side wall, an upper sealing surface, at least one helical thread and a support ledge beneath the helical thread. Reinforcement structure is positioned beneath the support ledge for reinforcing the finish portion against deformation due to the pressurization. A method of stabilizing a plastic aerosol container is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
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Publication number: 20160236397Abstract: Mold hanger for supporting a bottle mold in a molding station, the mold hanger comprising a piston and piston sleeve fully contained within the mold hanger configured to push a moveable insert into the mold. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting an original rotatable blow molding module having multiple existing blow molding stations, each existing mold hanger defining an existing outer envelope. The disclosed method may include providing an improved mold hanger substantially contained within the respective existing outer envelope and including low-profile drive mechanisms configured opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip, the method including providing within a mold hanger a drive mechanism to drive a moveable insert into the mold. A bottle made by such methods is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Stephen R. Guerin, David P. Piccioli, Thomas E. Nahill, Keith J. Barker
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Patent number: 9346212Abstract: Disclosed is a mold hanger for supporting a bottle mold in a blow molding station, the mold hanger comprising a piston and piston sleeve fully contained within the mold hanger configured to push a moveable insert into the mold. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting an original rotatable blow molding module having multiple existing blow molding stations, each existing mold hanger defining an existing outer envelope. The disclosed method may include providing an improved mold hanger substantially contained within the respective existing outer envelope and including low-profile drive mechanisms configured opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip, the method including providing within a mold hanger a drive mechanism to drive a moveable insert into the mold. A bottle made by such methods is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Stephen R. Guerin, David P. Piccioli, Thomas E. Nahill, Keith J. Barker
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Publication number: 20160136865Abstract: Disclosed is a mold for forming a deep grip container, the mold having drive mechanisms opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. The drive mechanisms may be located entirely within the mold and may include a slotted cam. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip comprising: providing a mold hanger having an outer envelope and providing within the outer envelope a drive mechanism to drive moveable inserts into the mold after blowing molten plastic into contact with the mold. Further disclosed is a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip manufactured according to the disclosed methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Stephen R. Guerin, David R. Picciolo, Thomas E. Nahill, Keith J. Barker
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Publication number: 20160075502Abstract: An aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 90-180 psig and a threaded finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The threaded finish portion has at least one helical thread, a support ledge beneath the helical thread and a secondary flange that is positioned beneath the support ledge. The secondary flange has an outer circumference that is noncircular in at least one location, whereby it may be engaged during a capping operation to prevent rotation of the container during capping. A method of making an aerosol container in which a preform is capped before the blow molding process is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
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Patent number: 9254937Abstract: Disclosed is a mold for forming a deep grip container, the mold having drive mechanisms opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. The drive mechanisms may be located entirely within the mold and may include a slotted cam. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip comprising: providing a mold hanger having an outer envelope and providing within the outer envelope a drive mechanism to drive moveable inserts into the mold after blowing molten plastic into contact with the mold. Further disclosed is a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip manufactured according to the disclosed methods.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Stephen R. Guerin, David R. Piccioli, Thomas E. Nahill, Keith J. Barker
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Patent number: 9221596Abstract: An aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 90-180 psig and a threaded finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The threaded finish portion has at least one helical thread, a support ledge beneath the helical thread and a secondary flange that is positioned beneath the support ledge. The secondary flange has an outer circumference that is noncircular in at least one location, whereby it may be engaged during a capping operation to prevent rotation of the container during capping. A method of making an aerosol container in which a preform is capped before the blow molding process is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
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Publication number: 20150306829Abstract: Disclosed is a mold hanger for supporting a bottle mold in a blow molding station, the mold hanger comprising a piston and piston sleeve fully contained within the mold hanger configured to push a moveable insert into the mold. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting an original rotatable blow molding module having multiple existing blow molding stations, each existing mold hanger defining an existing outer envelope. The disclosed method may include providing an improved mold hanger substantially contained within the respective existing outer envelope and including low-profile drive mechanisms configured opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip, the method including providing within a mold hanger a drive mechanism to drive a moveable insert into the mold. A bottle made by such methods is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: STEPHEN R. GUERIN, DAVID P. PICCIOLI, THOMAS E. NAHILL, KEITH J. BARKER
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Patent number: 9022776Abstract: Disclosed is a mold hanger for supporting a bottle mold in a blow molding station, the mold hanger comprising a piston and piston sleeve fully contained within the mold hanger configured to push a moveable insert into the mold. Also disclosed is a method of retrofitting an original rotatable blow molding module having multiple existing blow molding stations, each existing mold hanger defining an existing outer envelope. The disclosed method may include providing an improved mold hanger substantially contained within the respective existing outer envelope and including low-profile drive mechanisms configured opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip, the method including providing within a mold hanger a drive mechanism to drive a moveable insert into the mold. A bottle made by such methods is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Stephen R. Guerin, David R. Piccioli, Thomas E. Nahill, Keith J. Barker
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Publication number: 20150102071Abstract: A plastic aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 50-300 psig. The plastic aerosol container also includes a finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The finish portion may be threaded or unthreaded. The finish portion has a side wall, an upper sealing surface, at least one helical thread and a support ledge beneath the helical thread. Reinforcement structure is positioned beneath the support ledge for reinforcing the finish portion against deformation due to the pressurization. A method of stabilizing a plastic aerosol container is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
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Patent number: 8962114Abstract: A compression molded preform for forming an invertible base hot-fill container, and systems and methods thereof. The preform includes a body with a first open end, a second closed end or end cap of hemispherical shape, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the second end is thinner than any portion of the sidewall. Further, the second end is gateless and has an inner surface that is substantially smooth along its entire area. The compression molded preform is blow molded to form a plastic container with an invertible or movable base. The invertible or movable base is responsive to, or can be moved based on, internal forces or pressure associated with processing the container with a filled product.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Thomas E. Nahill, Ralph Armstrong
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Patent number: 8935904Abstract: A plastic aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 50-300 psig. The plastic aerosol container also includes a finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The finish portion may be threaded or unthreaded. The finish portion has a side wall, an upper sealing surface, at least one helical thread and a support ledge beneath the helical thread. Reinforcement structure is positioned beneath the support ledge for reinforcing the finish portion against deformation due to the pressurization. A method of stabilizing a plastic aerosol container is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
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Publication number: 20140263160Abstract: Disclosed is a mold for forming a deep grip container, the mold having drive mechanisms opposably to drive moveable inserts into the mold. The drive mechanisms may be located entirely within the mold and may include a slotted cam. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip comprising: providing a mold hanger having an outer envelope and providing within the outer envelope a drive mechanism to drive moveable inserts into the mold after blowing molten plastic into contact with the mold. Further disclosed is a blow molded bottle with a deep pinch grip manufactured according to the disclosed methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.Inventors: Stephen R. GUERIN, David R. PICCIOLI, Thomas E. NAHILL, Keith J. BARKER