Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture and sealing of containers formed of metallic material or glass with metallic closures, and more specifically to an apparatus and methods used to seal containers with a Roll-on Pilfer Proof (ROPP) closure or a prethreaded closure. The closure includes a floating liner that is not attached to the closure such that the liner can move relative to a lower surface of the closure. The floating liner may comprise a polymer, a metal, a high-durometer material, and/or an elastic material. The floating liner includes an inner plug seal that seals or seats on an inner surface of a curl of the container. The floating liner can optionally include an outer alignment support configured to align with and/or be positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the curl.
Abstract: The present invention relates generally to forming a threaded neck in a metal bottle manufactured by a process known as impact extrusion. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods, apparatus and alloy compositions used in the impact extrusion manufacturing of containers and other articles with sufficient strength characteristics to allow threading the container necks to receive a threaded closure on the threaded neck.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 18, 2021
Date of Patent:
June 17, 2025
Assignee:
Ball Corporation
Inventors:
John L. Siles, Matthias K. van de Liefvoort, Kevin Reed Jentzsch
Abstract: A metal cup and method of forming the same is provided. Metal cups of the present disclosure comprise a plurality of thin, straight-walled sections and a tapered profile. A domed portion is provided in the bottom of the cup. The cup may comprise a disposable cup, a reusable cup, or a recyclable cup.
Abstract: An apparatus and methods of decorating exterior surfaces of metallic containers are provided. The present disclosure provides a novel decorator with spacers that define a first gap between a blanket wheel and an adjacent plate cylinder. The decorator may also include a spacer on a form roller to define a second gap between the plate cylinder and a form roller. The gaps facilitate a transfer of a precise amount of ink from a printing plate on the plate cylinder to a transfer blanket on the blanket wheel. The spacers also facilitate control of the pressures between the form roller and the plate cylinder, and between the plate cylinder and the transfer blanket.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 27, 2024
Publication date:
April 3, 2025
Applicant:
Ball Corporation
Inventors:
Kyle Barras, John Efner, Kaitlyn M. Bock
Abstract: An electro adhesion (EA) conveyor system for transporting a metallic container includes at least one electro adhesion (EA) pad. The EA pad includes at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode arranged in a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern is configured to generate an electric field when a voltage is applied to one or more of the at least one positive electrode or the at least one negative electrode. The EA conveyor system includes a conveyor belt operable to transport the metallic container between a first position and a second position. The metallic container is held against the conveyor belt via EA generated by the EA pad during transportation. The EA conveyor system may be adjusted by a control unit of a control system based on production line information such as operational data received from sensors.
Abstract: Metallic container bodies having a corrosion inhibitor and internal coating are provided herein, along with a system and a method of manufacturing metallic container bodies with one or more corrosion inhibitors. The corrosion inhibitor can be applied between the internal coating and the metal surface of the container body, on top of the internal coating such that it is between the internal coating and a beverage stored in the container body, or mixed in with the internal coating. During the container production process, the corrosion inhibitor could be applied: (1) in a washer; (2) after the washer but before the dryer; (3) after the dryer; (4) during the application of the internal coating by mixing the corrosion inhibitor with the internal coating or after the internal coating has been sprayed but not yet cured; (5) after the application and curing of the internal coating but before necking operations; or (6) after necking operations but before the palletizer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 26, 2024
Publication date:
January 30, 2025
Applicant:
Ball Corporation
Inventors:
Scott K. Brendecke, John Troisi, Adam P. Stowitts
Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include food and beverage packaging utilizing heat seal technology, and specifically include food and beverage containers with end closures having seals or liners and snap-fit closure mechanisms. In some embodiments, the food and beverage containers and the end closures are metal. In further embodiments, the food and beverage containers include a domed portion on the bottom closed end. The end closures can snap onto the food and beverage containers such that the packaging is reclosable. Moreover, the sealed packaging with reclosable features can retain a variety of internal pressures including pressures higher than possible with the heat seal alone.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 1, 2022
Date of Patent:
December 17, 2024
Assignee:
Ball Corporation
Inventors:
Matthias van de Liefvoort, Heidi Masters
Abstract: Novel aluminum alloys are provided for use in an impact extrusion manufacturing process to create shaped containers and other articles of manufacture. In one embodiment blends of recycled scrap aluminum are used in conjunction with relatively pure aluminum to create novel compositions which may be formed and shaped in an environmentally friendly process. Other embodiments include methods for manufacturing a slug material comprising mixtures of aluminum alloys for use in the impact extraction process, a container manufactured using the aluminum alloy in an impact extrusion process, and the container, wherein the material of the container is the aluminum alloy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 5, 2022
Date of Patent:
October 8, 2024
Assignee:
Ball Corporation
Inventors:
John L. Siles, Samuel Melancon, Stanley Platek, Anthony Chatey
Abstract: Apparatus and methods of heating metallic containers in an oven which includes electric heating elements are provided. The electric heating elements include one or more of an electric induction element and an electric infrared heating element. The electric heating elements heat the metallic containers to a predetermined temperature to dry moisture on the metallic containers or to cure inks and coatings. Air within the oven may be at a temperature that is less than the predetermined temperature.
Abstract: A metal cup and method of forming the same is provided. Metal cups of the present disclosure comprise a plurality of thin, straight-walled sections and a tapered profile. A domed portion is provided in the bottom of the cup. The cup may comprise a disposable cup, a reusable cup, or a recyclable cup.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 24, 2023
Publication date:
September 28, 2023
Applicant:
Ball Corporation
Inventors:
Sean K. Fitzsimons, Matthias Van De Liefvoort, Jonathan A. Whitmore, John L. Siles
Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for marking a metallic workpiece for tracking and tracing the metallic workpiece throughout its production and consumer lifecycle are disclosed. The mark may be formed on a sheet of a metallic material. In some embodiments, a bodymaker forms a cup from a blank cut from the sheet into the metallic workpiece with the mark positioned on a closed end of the metallic workpiece. The mark is scanned for tracking and tracing at various points during the production of the metallic workpiece and during the lifecycle of the metallic workpiece, such as at a point of filling, point of sale and a collection point where the metallic workpiece is recycled or destroyed. Information collected as the mark is scanned provides valuable information that can be used to improve the manufacturing process, strategic production and distribution, incentivize recycling of the metallic workpiece, and to improve deposit return programs.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 23, 2022
Publication date:
December 22, 2022
Applicant:
Ball Corporation
Inventors:
Julian Stock, Maxwell Peevey, John Efner, Adam P.S. Stowitts, Kaitlyn Bock, Brandon Rinehart, John Ross, Alin Scorosanu
Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for marking a container for tracking and tracing the container throughout the lifecycle of the container. The mark can be applied, for example, on the closed end, bottom dome, or an end closure of the container. Tracking and tracing a container at various points during its lifecycle such as point of sale, where the container is recycled or destroyed, etc. provides valuable information that can be used to improve and incentivize recycling and deposit return public policies and environmental programs.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 25, 2022
Publication date:
September 1, 2022
Applicant:
Ball Corporation
Inventors:
Jason M. Kelly, Sarah I. Merrill, Adam P. Stowitts