Patents Assigned to Ball Corporation
  • Impact extruded containers from recycled aluminum scrap
    Patent number: 9663846
    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 recycled aluminum for use in the impact extraction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Siles, Samuel Melancon, Stanley M. Platek, Anthony Chatey
  • APPARATUS FOR FORMING HIGH DEFINITION LITHOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON CONTAINERS
    Publication number: 20170096001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to using soft secondary plates and specialty inks in a printing process. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods of using soft secondary plates made of a rubber comprising a saturated chain of polymethylene or a photopolymer material to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Carreras, Kellie M. Hedberg
  • End closure with double anti-missile score
    Patent number: 9580203
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers provides controlled opening characteristics to prevent the unintentional missiling of a tear panel. The end closure comprises a score line that defines a portion of the tear panel, and the end closure may comprise one or more anti-missile features that inhibit the propagation of a fracture down a score line, which reduces the likelihood that a tear panel will inadvertently detach from the end closure and injure the user or another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis K. Frank
  • Punch surface texturing for use in the manufacturing of metallic containers
    Patent number: 9566630
    Abstract: A punch sleeve utilized in forming metallic containers, including food and beverage containers, is provided. The punch sleeve comprises two or more different surface textures. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the punch sleeve comprises three regions and each region has a different surface texture. Additionally, a method of texturing two or more different surface textures on an exterior surface of a punch sleeve used in a metallic container manufacturing process is provided. An apparatus for providing two or more surface textures on a punch sleeve used in a metal container manufacturing process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Sines
  • ALUMINUM IMPACT EXTRUDED BOTTLE WITH THREADED NECK MADE FROM RECYCLED ALUMINUM AND ENHANCED ALLOYS
    Publication number: 20170036255
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Siles, Matthias K. van de Liefvoort, Kevin Reed Jentzsch
  • Variable printing process using soft secondary plates and specialty inks
    Patent number: 9555616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to using soft secondary plates and specialty inks in a printing process. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and methods of using soft secondary plates made of a rubber comprising a saturated chain of polymethylene or a photopolymer material to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Carreras, Kellie M. Hedberg
  • PUNCH SURFACE TEXTURING FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURING OF METALLIC CONTAINERS
    Publication number: 20170001231
    Abstract: A punch sleeve utilized in forming metallic containers, including food and beverage containers, is provided. The punch sleeve comprises two or more different surface textures. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the punch sleeve comprises three regions and each region has a different surface texture. Additionally, a method of texturing two or more different surface textures on an exterior surface of a punch sleeve used in a metallic container manufacturing process is provided. An apparatus for providing two or more surface textures on a punch sleeve used in a metal container manufacturing process is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Sines
  • Aluminum impact extruded bottle with threaded neck made from recycled aluminum and enhanced alloys
    Patent number: 9517498
    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: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Siles, Matthias K. van de Liefvoort, Kevin Reed Jentzsch
  • Apparatus for Forming High Definition Lithographic Images on Containers
    Publication number: 20160347048
    Abstract: The present invention relates to using soft photopolymer plates in a printing process, and more specifically, to an apparatus and methods of using soft photopolymer materials to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Chris Carreras
  • Can Shell and Double-Seamed Can End
    Publication number: 20160297564
    Abstract: A drawn aluminum can shell has a peripheral crown which is double-seamed with an end portion of an aluminum can body to provide a can end having a generally flat center panel connected by an inclined curved or straight panel wall to an inclined inner wall of an annular U-shaped countersink. The countersink has an outer wall which connects with an inclined lower wall portion of a chuck wall at a junction below the center panel, and the chuck wall has a curved or inclined upper wall portion which connects with an inner wall of the crown. The chuck wall also has an intermediate wall portion forming a break, and the inner bottom width of the countersink is less than the radial width of the panel wall. The inclined upper wall portion of the chuck wall extends at an angle greater than the angle of the inclined lower wall portion of the chuck wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicants: Ball Corporation, Container Development Ltd.
    Inventors: R. Peter Stodd, Jess N. Bathurst
  • Container end closure with optional secondary vent opening
    Patent number: 9446879
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an opening device for a beverage container. More specifically, the invention relates to a metal end closure having a primary opening area and at least one optional secondary vent opening which can be opened with the same pull tab. The primary opening area of the metal end closure may be opened by utilizing a pull tab interconnected to a central panel, the pull tab being adapted for applying a downward force to form a first opening. Subsequently, the pull tab is rotated and the tail end lifted to form a second opening in the end closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Howard C. Chasteen, Mark A. Jacober
  • Can Shell and Double-Seamed Can End Closure
    Publication number: 20160264288
    Abstract: A drawn aluminum can shell has a peripheral crown which is double-seamed with an end portion of an aluminum can body to provide a can end having a generally flat center panel connected by an inclined curved or straight panel wall to an inner wall of an annular U-shaped countersink. The countersink has an outer wall which connects with a lower wall portion of a chuck wall, and the chuck wall has an upper wall portion which connects with an inner wall of the crown. The chuck wall also has an intermediate wall portion forming a break, and the inner bottom width of the countersink is less than the radial width of the panel wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicants: Ball Corporation, Container Development, Ltd.
    Inventors: R. Peter Stodd, Jess N. Bathurst
  • IMPACT EXTRUDED CONTAINERS FROM RECYCLED ALUMINUM SCRAP
    Publication number: 20160230256
    Abstract: Novel recycled 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 recycled aluminum for use in the impact extraction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Siles, Samuel Melancon, Stanley M. Platek, Anthony Chatey
  • Printing process using soft photopolymer plates
    Patent number: 9409433
    Abstract: The present invention relates to using soft photopolymer plates in a printing process, and more specifically, to an apparatus and methods of using soft photopolymer materials to decorate an exterior surface of cylindrical metallic containers with high definition graphics and other indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Chris Carreras
  • Can shell and double-seamed can end
    Patent number: 9371152
    Abstract: A drawn aluminum can shell has a peripheral crown which is double-seamed with an end portion of an aluminum can body to provide a can end having a generally flat center panel connected by an inclined curved or straight panel wall to an inclined inner wall of an annular U-shaped countersink. The countersink has an outer wall which connects with an inclined lower wall portion of a chuck wall at a junction below the center panel, and the chuck wall has a curved or inclined upper wall portion which connects with an inner wall of the crown. The chuck wall also has an intermediate wall portion forming a break, and the inner bottom width of the countersink is less than the radial width of the panel wall. The inclined upper wall portion of the chuck wall extends at an angle greater than the angle of the inclined lower wall portion of the chuck wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: Ball Corporation, Container Development, Ltd.
    Inventors: R. Peter Stodd, Jess N. Bathurst
  • System for compression relief shaping
    Patent number: 9358604
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reshaping a shoulder and/or neck portion of a metallic container are provided. A shoulder shaping or reshaping tool comprises a generally annular device with relief features provided on an internal surface. The tool is adapted to engage the exterior surface of a container to be shaped to provide outwardly extending ornamental features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin R. Jentzsch, John R. Ross, Matthias K. van de Liefvoort, Mark A. Jacober
  • Apparatus and method for orienting a beverage container end closure and applying indicia in a predetermined location
    Patent number: 9340368
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of orienting and decorating container end closures is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to position container end closures in a predetermined orientation and then decorate a predetermined portion of the end closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Dean C. Ellefson, Gregg Coningsby, Edward D. Archer
  • End closure
    Patent number: D750488
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Jacober, Howard C. Chasteen
  • Two-piece contoured metallic container
    Patent number: D758207
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: BALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason M. Kaanta, Daniel A. Edwards
  • Vented container end closure
    Patent number: D762114
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Jacober, Howard C. Chasteen