Patents Assigned to American Can Company
  • Patent number: 4467933
    Abstract: A closure for sanitary or food cans made from high temper plate to withstand the high pressure developed during processing without permanent distortion or buckling. An upwardly directed reinforcing annular bead is introduced concentric with a countersink groove which is disposed between the end flange and said annular bead. The ends are further contoured with a series of transitional steps or panels inward of said annular bead. These features enhance the strength of the closure without inducing substantial warpage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Harlen E. Wilkinson, Theodore Sopher
  • Patent number: 4465651
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for manufacturing a thermoplastic tube headpiece adapted to be fused with a tubular body sleeve and having a fully molded sealing surface and concentric orifice. Male and female members cooperate so as to define a cavity corresponding in shape to the headpiece, maintain the male member in a concentric position within the neck portion of the headpiece cavity and form a passageway. The passageway conveys thermoplastic material received from a sprue in the female member through a sidewall opening and into the cavity. A projection of solidified thermoplastic material corresponding in shape to the sprue and passageway is severed from the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Louis A. Godschalk, Jr., Nelson J. Bordelean
  • Patent number: 4464443
    Abstract: In a multi-layer polymeric structure having an interior oxygen barrier layer of a moisture sensitive polymeric material such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol, drying agents are incorporated in the structure, particularly in a layer or layers proximate to the barrier layer, to limit the moisture content of the barrier layer to maintain barrier properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Farrell, Boh C. Tsai, James A. Wachtel
  • Patent number: 4457960
    Abstract: Linear low density polyethylene is used in multiple layer, molecularly oriented films. Novel blends of linear low density polyethylene with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer are disclosed, and used in molecularly oriented multiple layer films. Bags made from the multiple layer films are especially useful for shrink packaging, and particularly for shrink packaging of meats having large cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventor: David L. Newsome
  • Patent number: 4451599
    Abstract: An EVOH copolymer blend is extrudable to produce films of uniform caliper and excellent oxygen barrier properties. Aromatic sulfonamides are desirably utilized as plasticizers, and superior composite films including a layer of the plasticized EVOH are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Odorzynski, Jack E. Knott, II
  • Patent number: 4451287
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of metal, particularly aluminum is disclosed whereby flux is in a ratio of less than about 0.4 flux to inert material in the dross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Carl F. Bauer, James H. Hussey, Benny Langston
  • Patent number: 4447699
    Abstract: A signal emitted from a transducer responsive to the relative power applied during a welding process is enhanced electronically and mathematically to be of use in controlling welder operating parameters and/or in rejecting defective welds. Electronically the signal refined to minimize unnecessary noise in the signal and mathematically the signal is modified and analyzed against a standard. In a high speed welding operation automatic means are necessary to assure weld quality and control welder operation since the rapidity with which the welding takes place is too fast for manual readjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Vance B. Gold, Edward F. Kubacki, Thomas Krewenka
  • Patent number: 4429015
    Abstract: Multi-ply laminae are provided which are suitable for use as tell-tale indicators for identification cards, credentials and the like. The laminae are post-laminated to a core layer bearing a photograph or similar information or indicia. Thereafter attempts to delaminate the card result in fibers being torn from a uniaxially oriented polyethylene or polypropylene layer of the laminae. Attempts to readhere the layers with adhesives result in tell-tale indicia in the form of the torn fibers which cannot be adequately realigned or adhered so as to be unnoticeable. Moreover, attempts to heat seal the card after tampering causes the oriented polymer to shrink and opacify resulting in additional tell-tale indicia of tampering. In addition, the core comprises heat seal surfaces upon which printing and other indicia is placed whereby any attempt to alter the printing or other indicia results in destruction of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventor: Nicholas Sheptak
  • Patent number: 4425410
    Abstract: In a multi-layer polymeric structure having an interior oxygen barrier layer of a moisture sensitive polymeric material such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol, drying agents are incorporated in the structure, particularly in a layer or layers proximate to the barrier layer, to limit the moisture content of the barrier layer to maintain barrier properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Farrell, Boh C. Tsai, James A. Wachtel
  • Patent number: 4424698
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tool for use in a high speed progressive die which includes a spring loaded retaining member and cooperating recess surface to first position and hold the progression carried partially formed piece part prior to a forming operation which severely works the metal tending to warp, distort and lock same within the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventor: Neal E. Langseder
  • Patent number: 4424256
    Abstract: The invention provides improved films and pouches made therefrom for use in sterile packaging, wherein the package and product are sterilized after the process of filling and sealing the pouch. The improved films are a family of foil-based, multiple layer structures incorporating an improved combination of layers which form the sealant layer and the adhesive bonding to the foil layer. The sealant layer is linear low density polyethylene. The layer adjacent the sealant layer is a blend of 20% to 80% propylene ethylene copolymer and 80% to 20% linear low density polyethylene. The foil layer is primed with an anhydride modified propylene-based primer. Additional layers comprising propylene based polymers may be used between the blend layer and the primer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Ronald C. Christensen, Roger P. Genske, Dennis E. Kester, William F. Ossian
  • Patent number: 4419373
    Abstract: A sealed package, and a method of heating a sealed package of material are disclosed wherein the material is capable of generating vapor from a substance contained therein when the temperature of the material is raised. At least a portion of the packaging structure comprises a plastic film. Thermal energy is applied to the material causing the plastic film to be displaced by generated vapor. After the film is displaced, a vent hole appears in the film, venting the vapor without substantial rupture of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventor: Walter J. Oppermann
  • Patent number: 4418841
    Abstract: A multiple layer polymeric-based sheet structure is suitable for forming dispensing tubes. The abuse resistance of the tube is improved by incorporating in the sheet structure a layer of oriented polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventor: John P. Eckstein
  • Patent number: 4416389
    Abstract: Shown is an easy open closure for a container wherein there is a ring-pull tab held by an integral rivet to the central circular recessed panel of the closure. The tab however, rests on a raised portion of that panel which portion includes various areas of weakening and strengthening and a displaceable panel therein defined by a score line. The raised portion positions the tab to protect it against abuse loadings due to handling and shipping full containers having the closure. About the periphery of the central circular panel is a stepped wall portion except near the area of the score line for the displaceable panel where the wall is unstepped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Harlen E. Wilkinson, Fred W. Wren
  • Patent number: 4412440
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a product, the process for making same from precoated metal and the tool used for making the product. The product is a concurrently drawn and ironed sanitary food can wherein the side wall thickness of the container is relatively uniform and approximately 0.001" thinner than the thickness of the starting material. The process is a concurrent multiple drawing and ironing operation wherein the diameter and the wall thickness are reduced in each of a plurality of operations. Finally, the tools used for each drawing and ironing operation have particular configurations designed to permit this concurrent forming of both the diameter and the side wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Phalin, James J. Ulmes
  • Patent number: 4407897
    Abstract: In a multi-layer polymeric structure having an interior oxygen barrier layer of a moisture sensitive polymeric material such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol, drying agents are incorporated in the structure, particularly in a layer or layers proximate to the barrier layer, to limit the moisture content of the barrier layer to maintain barrier properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Farrell, Boh C. Tsai, James A. Wachtel
  • Patent number: 4407873
    Abstract: Retortable packaging is made entirely with polymeric materials. The improved heat sealable structure has an inner heat seal layer of linear low density polyethylene. The second or adjacent layer is linear low density polyethylene with an optional 0% to 80% medium density polyethylene blended into it. A third layer is anhydride modified medium density polyethylene. Fourth, fifth and sixth layers respectively are nylon, ethylene vinyl alcohol and nylon. An optional layer between the second and third layers is at least 20% linear low density polyethylene and up to 80% medium density polyethylene. The entire multiple layer structure is firmly adhered together so that the layers mutually support each other in the unitary package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Ronald C. Christensen, Roger P. Genske, Dennis E. Kester, William F. Ossian
  • Patent number: 4407874
    Abstract: The invention provides improved film structure and bags made therefrom for use in sterile packaging, wherein the package and product are sterilized after the process of filling and sealing the bag. The improved structure is a 3-layer coextruded film comprising a first layer of propylene ethylene copolymer, a second layer on one surface of the first layer and comprising a blend of propylene ethylene copolymer with linear low density polyethylene, and a third layer of linear low density polyethylene on the opposing surface of the second layer. The blend composition is 20% to 80% propylene ethylene copolymer and 80% to 20% linear low density polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventor: Russell P. Gehrke
  • Patent number: 4405058
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a product, the process for making same from precoated metal and the tool used for making the product. The product is a concurrently drawn and ironed sanitary food can wherein the side wall thickness of the container is relatively uniform and approximately 0.001" thinner than the thickness of the starting material. The process is a concurrent multiple drawing and ironing operation wherein the diameter and the wall thickness are reduced in each of a plurality of operations. Finally, the tools used for each drawing and ironing operation have particular configurations designed to permit this concurrent forming of both the diameter and the side wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Phalin
  • Patent number: D275179
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: American Can Company
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Spencer, Ali R. Caner