Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Krall

Thomas J. Krall 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: 5800770
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus wherein a container is formed, decorated by rotating the container and then the base of the contianer is cut off for a plastic tube, a container is formed with a diametral lug on the base to facilitate rotating the container during decorating. In another form, opposed diametral surfaces are provided on the lower end of the container adjacent the base. In another form, the diametral surfaces are arcuate. In another form, the lower end of the container includes a frustoconical surface. In another form, circumferentially spaced axial grooves are provided in the frustoconical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Roger P. Smith, Thomas J. Krall, Jeffrey S. Lugar, Michael D. Norton
  • Patent number: 5704507
    Abstract: A plastic container comprising hollow plastic body including a side wall, a base wall, a shoulder, an integral neck and an integral finish on the upper end of the neck. An integral laterally extending flexible handle is provided on the neck below the threads or the like that are positioned on the neck for receiving a closure. The handle may be of a number of configurations including a T-shape or annular bail-type shape. A method and apparatus for making the container comprises injecting, extruding and blowing wherein the finish and the integral handle are first injection molded and thereafter the neck and body are formed by extrusion of plastic integrally with the finish followed by blow molding of the hollow container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Christopher T. Evans
  • Patent number: 5664693
    Abstract: A child resistant package including a plastic container having a finish with an external thread and a plastic closure having a base wall and an internal thread thereon for engaging the thread on the container. The container includes diametrically opposed integral tabs extending from the container. Each tab has substantially uniform thickness such that it is capable of flexing relative to said container. The skirt of the closure has a free edge with diametrically opposed projections thereon engagable by the radial tabs. The tabs are manually deflectable to disengage from said projections on the skirt to permit manual rotation of the closure to unthread said closure from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5655684
    Abstract: A plastic squeeze tube and dispensing system wherein the plastic tube includes a first end that is closed and has an opening therethrough for hanging the tube from a display rack with graphics on the tube being readily visible. The plastic squeeze tube further includes a second end that is normally closed. Interengaging threads are provided on the second end for engagement with a reusable dispenser. In one form, the second end of the squeeze tube is closed by an integral portion of the tube and the dispenser includes threads for engaging the second end and a member for piercing the integral end. In another form, the second end of the plastic tube is closed by a removable seal and the dispenser includes threads for engaging the threads on the plastic tube and has a dispensing opening. In a further form the threads on the tube are formed by a split tube holder that is mounted on the second end of the tube and has threads thereon for engagement with threads of a dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5632951
    Abstract: A flexible plastic tube and a method of forming a flexible plastic tube includes injection molding a finish having an opening, extruding a tube integrally with the finish by relevant movement of the finish with respect to an extruder, moving the finish axially away from the extruder while continuing continuously extruding the tube, closing a blow mold about the extruded tube, blowing the tube into an integral container body having a closed bottom, opening the molds to provide an integral flexible tube with a finish thereon. Thereafter the method includes decorating the body with indicia, cutting the closed end of the tube leaving an open-ended tube of the end opposite the finish, and applying a closure to the finish. Subsequently, the tube is filled through the open end and the open end is closed. The decorating includes rotating the tube about the longitudinal axis of the tube while engaging the finish and bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Roger P. Smith, Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5599495
    Abstract: A hollow plastic container having a finish which has a diameter less than the diameter of the body portion of the container which is made by forming a parison with a neck portion for defining the finish and a body portion and thereafter expanding the body portion to a cross section greater than the cross section of the neck portion. The neck is then trimmed by removing plastic material from the outside of the neck and from the top of the neck to form the finish to the final dimensions. In one form, the prison is a multi-layer parison in order to form a multi-layer plastic container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5429789
    Abstract: A self-draining container is disclosed. The container includes a body and a neck, wall and dispensing spout extending upwardly from a body opening. The dispensing spout has a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the neck. The wall surrounds the dispensing spout which extends above the top of the wall. A web joins the wall and the dispensing spout to form a drain channel. A drain opening through the spout is defined adjacent the channel for draining fluid from the channel into the container body. A cap having a depending skirt defining threads mates with threads on the container wall to close the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5394999
    Abstract: A child resistant package including a plastic container having a finish with an external thread and a plastic closure having a base wall and an internal thread thereon for engaging the thread on the container. The container includes diametrically opposed integral tabs extending from the container. Each tab has substantially uniform thickness such that it is capable of flexing relative to said container. The skirt of the closure has a free edge with diametrically opposed projections thereon engagable by the radial tabs. The tabs are manually deflectable to disengage from said projections on the skirt to permit manual rotation of the closure to unthread said closure from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5366101
    Abstract: The multi-layer plastic bottle with a handle for holding liquids and the like which includes molds enclosing a hollow parison of molten plastic which is at a blow molding temperature, pinching a portion of the hollow parison as the mold closes to form a hollow moil portion and neck portion, simultaneously pinching a portion of the hollow parison to form a hollow handle portion while leaving a portion of the parison to provide a passage from the moil portion to the handle portion and thereafter expanding the parison through the moil portion to form the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Owen-Illinois Plastic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Robert A. Myers
  • Patent number: 5261567
    Abstract: A squeeze package such as a toilet bowl cleaner bottle comprising a plastic container having an open neck defining a first opening, a second laterally extended opening on the neck defining a second opening and a closure mounted on the neck and movable from a first position and includes a portion extending into said first opening and providing a seal isolating the second opening from the contents of the container to a second position wherein the seal moves out of position so that the contents can be dispensed through the second opening by inverting the container and squeezing the container. In one form, the closure comprises a child resistant closure that is associated with portion of the neck so that the closure must to oriented circumferentially to permit the closure to be moved axially outwardly to expose the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5232107
    Abstract: The multi-layer plastic bottle with a handle for holding liquids and the like which includes molds enclosing a hollow parison of molten plastic which is at a blow molding temperature, pinching a portion of the hollow parison as the mold closes to form a hollow moil portion and neck portion, simultaneously pinching a portion of the hollow parison to form a hollow handle portion while leaving a portion of the parison to provide a passage from the moil portion to the handle portion and thereafter expanding the parison through the moil portion to form the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Robert A. Myers
  • Patent number: 5207356
    Abstract: A self-draining container includes a body, an integral wall extending upwardly from said body and encircling an integral dispensing spout which communicates with said body and extends above the top of the wall. An integral web joins the wall and the dispensing spout to form a drain channel. A drain opening is defined adjacent the channel for draining fluid from the channel into the container body. A cap having a depending skirt defining a thread which mates with an internal thread on the container wall to close the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5188849
    Abstract: The apparatus for making a multi-layer plastic bottle with a handle for holding liquids and the like which includes molds enclosing a hollow parison of molten plastic which is at a blow molding temperature, pinching a portion of the hollow parison as the mold closes to form a hollow moil portion and neck portion, simultaneously pinching a portion of the hollow parison to form a hollow handle portion while leaving a portion of the parison to provide a passage from the moil portion to the handle portion and thereafter expanding the parison through the moil portion to form the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Owens-llinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Robert A. Myers
  • Patent number: 5114659
    Abstract: A self-draining container and method of forming. The container includes a body and a wall extending upwardly from a body opening. The wall surrounds a dispensing spout which extends above the top of the wall. A web joins the wall and the dispensing spout to form a drain channel. A drain opening is defined adjacent the channel for draining fluid from the channel into the container body. A cap having a depending skirt defining a thread which mates with an internal thread on the container wall to close the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 5087406
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for making a multi-layer plastic container with an integral handle for holding liquids and the like by enclosing a hollow parison of molten plastic which is at a blow molding temperature, pinching a portion of the hollow parison as the mold clses to form a hollow moil portion and neck portion, simultaneously pinching a portion of the hollow parison to form a hollow handle portion while leaving a portion of the parison to provide a passage from the moil poriton to the handle portion and the expanding the parison by supplying gaseous pressure to the moil portion and from the moil portion to form the container from the moil portion through the passage to form the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Robert A. Myers
  • Patent number: 5060830
    Abstract: A dispensing package for dispensing liquid comprising an injection blow molded container having a flexible body and a neck comprising an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall defines a dispensing opening. A closure has a transverse wall, a peripheral skirt and a peripheral foot for engaging a flat surface. Interengaging means between the closure and the outer wall hold the transverse wall in sealing engagment with the inner wall of the neck for closing the dispensing opening. The closure is movable axially relative to the container between a first position sealingly engaging the neck of the container and a second position wherein fluid is permitted to flow to an outlet so that when the wall of the container is flexed a portion of the contents is dispensed. In one form, the outlet is in the skirt. In another form, the outlet is in the transverse wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 4989757
    Abstract: A self-draining container is disclosed. The container includes a body and a neck, wall and dispensing spout extending upwardly from a body opening. The dispensing spout has a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the neck. The wall surrounds the dispensing spout which extends above the top of the wall. A web joins the wall and the dispensing spout to form a drain channel. A drain opening through the spout is defined adjacent the channel for draining fluid form the channel in to the container body. A cap having a depending skirt defining threads mates with threads on the container wall to close the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 4983349
    Abstract: In the forming of an article by blow molding parisons into conformity with cavities of an array of mold sections parisons in the form of tubes are extruded from an extruder into an array of neck molds on a head, the head is moved axially away from the extruder to define the parisons, mold sections are closed about the parisons and the parisons are blown outwardly and a take out mechanism grasps and removes the containers after the mold sections are opened. The apparatus for application of labels to the hollow blown plastic articles includes a label carrier mounted for reciprocating movement between the open mold sections and supporting an array of spaced vacuum pick up devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Robert A. Myers
  • Patent number: 4930668
    Abstract: A dispensing package for dispensing liquid comprising an injection blow molded container having a flexible body and a neck comprising an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall defines a dispensing opening. A closure has a transverse wall, a peripheral skirt and a peripheral foot for engaging a flat surface. Threads between the closure and the outer wall hold the transverse wall in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the neck for closing the dispensing opening. The closure is movable axially relative to the container between a first position sealingly engaging the neck of the container and a second position wherein fluid is permitted to flow to an outlet in the skirt so that when the wall of the container is flexed a portion of the contents is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall
  • Patent number: 4863067
    Abstract: A plastic container and package having a self-draining feature is provided. The container includes a bottle with a dispensing spout which has a thread or other closure retention device molded therein and an annular sleeve encircling the spout and cooperating therewith to form a channel for capturing excess liquid flowing down the outside of the spout following dispensing of such liquids. An aperture is provided for draining liquid from the channel to the body portion of the container. A closure having thread or other retention device engages the closure retention device of the spout to form the remainder of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Krall