Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Klaas, Law, O'Meara & Malkin, P.C.
  • Patent number: 6763858
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Coors Global Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6742459
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system and method for producing a load of packages supported by a disposable/recyclable pallet. The system may comprise at least one palletizing station for producing a plurality of unwrapped palletized tiers of packages, a horizontal wrapping station for producing at least one horizontally wrapped palletized tier of packages, a stacking station for stacking the unwrapped palletized tiers of packages on the horizontally wrapped palletized tier of packages, and a base applicator for fixedly applying a base to a bottom surface of the horizontally wrapped palletized tier of packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Coors Global Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip J. Lucas
  • Patent number: 6726043
    Abstract: A sealed container including a container and a closure member for sealing the container over a range of internal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Coors Global Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip J. Lucas
  • Patent number: 6698467
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6689034
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for applying adhesive to packaging in a variety of configurations. The adhesive may be applied by a nozzle in a first direction, a second direction and a stationary spot, wherein the first direction and the second direction are transverse to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Kenneth E. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6676583
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web of material having a relatively rigid layer and a relatively flexible layer and a method of forming one or more carton blanks from such material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Walsh
  • Patent number: 6668734
    Abstract: A pallet for supporting a load of packages is disclosed. The pallet includes a support structure comprising flexible film wrapped around at least one of the layers of the load. The flexible film is wrapped around two axes which are generally perpendicular to one another and preferably located within the same plane such that the flexible film covers at least a majority of the layer(s). The pallet also includes a base positioned adjacent to the support structure which is adapted to receive forks of a forklift. The base may have an elongate tubular configuration and be constructed from a disposable/recyclable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Philip J. Lucas, Leo W. Mayer
  • Patent number: 6659144
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6606786
    Abstract: A device having two elongated members pivotally connected at one end portions thereof and locked together at the other end portions thereof so that at least portions of at least two relatively rigid articles are enclosed therein and apparatus and method for moving the device from an opened position to a closed position forming an enclosure to contain the portions of the at least two relatively rigid articles. In a preferred embodiment, the two relatively rigid articles comprise radiant heating tubing and a wire mesh supported on a bed of particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Peter G. Mangone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6584805
    Abstract: A glass bottle production line comprising a bottle mold which has a plurality of mold cavities arranged in a predetermined order for forming bottles from glass parisons and for transferring the bottles to a conveyor in a predetermined sequence corresponding to the predetermined order of the mold cavities. The conveyor has a hot end portion and a cold end portion for receiving bottles from the bottle mold at an elevated temperature at the hot end portion and conveying the bottles to the cold end portion. A hot bottle inspector located at a fixed inspection station along the conveyor at the hot end portion non-touchingly inspects the bottles as the bottles are conveyed past the inspection station by the conveyor. A mold transfer signal and bottle detection signal are processed to determine the mold cavity used to produce the bottle detected at the inspector's station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: John William Burns, Dennis Ray Erickson, Jack Devin McKeehan, James Allen Gulka
  • Patent number: 6551379
    Abstract: Apparatus for use with a natural gas dehydrator wherein a portion of the wet glycol in an emissions separator is pumped under pressure as circulating wet glycol which may be used as a coolant for effluent removed from a reboiler and/or a power source for an eductor to form a vacuum in a first chamber of a liquid water removal separator apparatus. The cooled effluent, comprising at least liquid water, liquid hydrocarbons and uncondensed vapors, moves into the first chamber wherein the liquid water and/or the liquid hydrocarbons are separated from the uncondensed vapors. At least, the uncondensed vapors are removed from the first chamber and move into the eductor wherein they are compressed and combined into the circulating wet glycol. The separated liquid water is transferred to a second chamber of the liquid water removal separator apparatus and then removed therefrom. In some instances, the liquid hydrocarbons are transferred to a third chamber and removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Rodney T. Heath
  • Patent number: 6547878
    Abstract: A sealant dispensing system is disclosed which is capable of applying sealant material to irregularly shaped, i.e., non-circular, closure members. To accomplish this, the closure member is loaded onto a rotary chuck in a conventional manner. The sealant applying gun, however, is moveable relative to the end. In this manner, through a combination of rotation of the closure member and movement of the gun, the gun is able to follow the outline of a closure member of any shape. In order to allow non-circular closure members to be loaded onto a chuck, the chuck must first be stopped. After the closure member is loaded, chuck rotation is then initiated. In order to allow this selective chuck rotation, the chuck may be attached to a servo motor. An electromagnet may be located in proximity to each chuck of the sealant dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Packaging Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton W. Rutledge, Tracy J. Fowler
  • Patent number: 6505656
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6393995
    Abstract: An aerial ropeway wherein oppositely located first and second sheave trains are supported on a crossarm wherein first and second sheave train supporting apparatus are pivotally mounted at fixed spaced apart locations on the crossarm and the first and second sheave train supporting apparatus are each pivotally connected to an elongated member extending therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Poma of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Mugnier
  • Patent number: 6391387
    Abstract: A sealant dispensing system is disclosed which is capable of applying sealant material to irregularly shaped, i.e., non-circular, closure members. To accomplish this, the closure member is loaded onto a rotary chuck in a conventional manner. The sealant applying gun, however, is moveable relative to the end. In this manner, through a combination of rotation of the closure member and movement of the gun, the gun is able to follow the outline of a closure member of any shape. In order to allow non-circular closure members to be loaded onto a chuck, the chuck must first be stopped. After the closure member is loaded, chuck rotation is then initiated. In order to allow this selective chuck rotation, the chuck may be attached to a servo motor. An electromagnet may be located in proximity to each chuck of the sealant dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Preferred Machining Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton W. Rutledge, Tracy J. Fowler
  • Patent number: 6386438
    Abstract: A carton blank having an outer layer of a relatively rigid material, a first inner layer of a relatively rigid material superposed over a portion of the outer layer and a second inner layer of a relatively flexible layer of a fluid impervious material is provided with first and second weakened portions so that, after a carton has been formed from the carton blank, filled with a desired material and sealed, the first weakened portion may be broken to form a flip top lid which when moved in an arcuate path will gradually sever the second weakened portion to form an opening in the carton so that an amount of the desired material may be removed from the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Raymond S. Kastanek
  • Patent number: D456706
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Terrance E. Rhodes, Joseph R. Haake, Ray A. Toms, Michael C. Cruz
  • Patent number: D463289
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Joseph R. Haake, Patrick B. Edson, Steph H. Goss
  • Patent number: D464264
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Patrick B. Edson, Ambryn Headley, Joseph R. Haake, Frank L. Shriver
  • Patent number: D475926
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Kevin R. Rusnock, Ray A. Toms