Patents Assigned to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7344041
    Abstract: A container assembly for packaging nonliquid material includes a can body that may be filled with nonliquid material and an end panel that is secured to the can body, preferably by seaming. A score line that is formed in the end panel defines a first removable portion and a second nonremovable portion. Structure such as a tab is provided for initiating separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion at a first location along the score line that defines an axis of symmetry about which separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion during opening will progress substantially symmetrically. The score line is shaped so that the second nonremovable portion defines a spoon leveling shelf that is shaped and sized to permit a consumer to level a spoonful of nonliquid material. Moreover, at least one exposed edge of the spoon leveling shelf is afforded cut protection by a safety fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 6623198
    Abstract: A lipstick or cosmetic dispenser having a tubular cam sleeve and an innerbody fitted inside the cam sleeve, and internal helical tracks supporting an elevator cup. The cam sleeve has a lower cam skirt with a plurality of ribs provided on its inner wall. The innerbody has a beveled shoulder around a lower outer wall thereof. The cam skirt ribs bear against the beveled shoulder to create frictional drag between the innerbody and the cam sleeve, and to cause the cam sleeve to be urged upwardly. The ribs on the inner wall of the cam skirt extend at an angle relative to a centerline of said dispenser, and preferably are angled the same direction as the internal helical tracks of the cam sleeve. There are from three to seven, preferably, five or six of said ribs located equidistantly from each other around said inner wall of said cam skirt. The ribs may be connected with each other by webs or separated by slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Holloway
  • Patent number: 5960659
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity that is shaped generally like the can body blank, the mold wall having a pattern formed therein that corresponds to a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Hartman, Zeev W. Shore, James J. Tang, Anton A. Aschberger, Michael R. Gogola, William O. Irvine, Ralph J. Trnka, Richard O. Wahler, Robert A. Winkless
  • Patent number: 5813267
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving the concentricity and reducing the flange width variation of a die-necked container body are disclosed. A piloted pad is inserted into the dome at the bottom of the can, either as part of the flanging operation or as part of a die necking operation, or both. The insertion of the pilot and pad orients the can body relative to the necker or flanger so that the open end of the can remains concentric with the main body diameter as forming operations progress. Preferably, when used as part of a die necker, the pusher pad connected to the pilot is spring loaded. By spring-loading the pusher pad, accidental engagement between the raised section that extends into the dome is prohibited, and each can is more readily ejected and transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton A. Aschberger, James M. Abrahamson, Isaac R. Dandan
  • Patent number: 5746080
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity that is shaped generally like the can body blank, the mold wall having a pattern formed therein that corresponds to a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Hartman, Zeev W. Shore, James J. Tang, Anton A. Aschberger, Michael R. Gogola, William O. Irvine, Ralph J. Trnka, Richard O. Wahler, Robert A. Winkless
  • Patent number: 5735419
    Abstract: A plastic closure includes an annular ring durably attached to the container, and a sealing assembly installed in the ring to seal the mouth. The sealing assembly includes a plug having a sealing lip on its lower face and a release lever connected to the plug by a flexible linkage. The tab on the release lever can be lifted to pry the sealing assembly out of the opening. The lever comprises more than one hook protruding downwardly, connected to the outer edge of the lever by frangible bridges or by a frangible line. The hook is engageable with retaining elements attached to the attachment ring or to the container. The frangible bridges or the frangible line are constructed to break during first opening of the closure, to provide an indication that tampering has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaoli Ma
  • Patent number: 5724848
    Abstract: An improved system and process of necking an upper end of a metallic container that will reduce the incidence of defects such as wrinkles and puckers during the necking process includes steps of performing a first stage operation to reduce a radius of said upper end by a first distance, and incrementally further reducing the radius of the upper end by performing a plurality of subsequent reduction operations on the upper end. Advantageously, step (b) is performed so that the amount of radius reduction that is applied by earlier of the subsequent reduction operations is less than the amount of radius reduction that is applied by later of the subsequent reduction operations. As a result, increases of wall thickness that occur during the subsequent reduction operations will be utilized to permit greater radial reduction in the later steps, and will ease the amount of radial reduction in the earlier steps, reducing the potential for defects such as puckering and wrinkling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Anton A. Aschberger
  • Patent number: 5688570
    Abstract: A preform mold assembly for the injection molding of a multi-layer preform for use in the blow molding of container. The preform mold assembly comprises a preform mold having a gate for receiving molten plastic material. The preform mold has a cavity with longitudinal axis and defines an inner surface. A core-pin is situated within the cavity and spaced from said inner surface. A preform cavity is formed between the inner surface of the cavity and the core-pin for receiving molten plastic from the gate. A threadsplit portion is situated within the cavity at a location remote from said gate. The inner surface of the cavity defines a plurality of flutes formed generally parallel to the cavity longitudinal axis and extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the mold to the threadsplit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. Ruttinger, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5630282
    Abstract: A positioning device for conveniently and accurately positioning the deformation edges of two deformation tools that includes a support structure, a securing device to secure the gage to one tool, a moveable anvil that is urged against the other tool, and measurement gage that measures the distance between the deformation edges of the tools and compares it to what the distance would be if the edges were a predetermined distance apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Garvin T. West, Ronnie D. Lee, Darnell Palmer, Sammy G. Middlebrooks, Joe E. Willis, Clifton S. Burnett
  • Patent number: 5622273
    Abstract: A plastic closure includes an annular ring durably attached to the container, and a sealing assembly installed in the ring to seal the mouth. The sealing assembly includes a plug having a sealing lip on its lower face and a release lever connected to the plug by a flexible hinge. A tab on the release lever can be lifted to pry the sealing assembly out of the opening. The ring has a free edge directed downwardly and inwardly so as to permit the plug to pass easily through the opening during assembly, or resealing, but to resist removal of the plug sufficiently to prevent it from being forced off the container by pressure within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5554296
    Abstract: Methods for purifying aqueous waste streams containing a water reducible paint composition and equipment systems capable of conducting such methods are provided. In general terms the methods can be practiced by first providing an aqueous waste stream comprising a minor amount of a water reducible paint composition. This aqueous waste stream will commonly have a water content of at least 95 percent by weight. An acid, preferably sulfuric acid, is then admixed with the aqueous waste stream to form a suspension comprising water and precipitated paint compounds. Following the precipitation step a portion of the precipitated paint compounds are separated from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Nashat Zakhary
  • Patent number: 5531057
    Abstract: A bottle-cap positioning apparatus (10) positions bottle-caps (12) beneath the orbiting capping heads (14) of a rotary bottle-capping machine (18) for pick-up. A cap feeder (40) places the caps (12) on a semi-circular pick-up path directly under the orbital path (16) of the capping heads (14). An endless belt (68) is supported on a pair of pulleys (52, 54) and orbits around a guide block (76). The guide block (76) has a convex surface (78) that pushes the belt (68) outward to parallel the pick-up path. Cap push-paddles (80) extend radially out from the endless belt (68) and slide the bottle caps (12) sequentially along the pick-up path. Gears (58, 62, 64, 66) drive the pulleys (52, 54) and synchronize the endless belt (68) with the capping heads (14). The endless belt (68), push-paddles (80), pulleys (52, 54) and gears (58, 62, 64, 66) are disposed inside and beneath the orbital path of the capping heads (14) to reduce factory floor space requirements and worker exposure to moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Crown Cork and Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Coleman, Gerald M. Futej, James D. Ash
  • Patent number: 5456097
    Abstract: A lubrication system for an body maker of the type which is used in a container fabrication facility to shape a metallic can body includes a filter, a first conduit for conveying coolant from the body maker to an inlet side of the filter, a second conduit for conveying coolant from an outlet side of the filter to the body maker, a pump in one of the conduits for pumping coolant in a circuit which includes the filter, the conduits and the body maker, and a coolant makeup system for adding coolant to the circuit. The coolant makeup system is constructed and arranged to continuously supply coolant to the circuit to make up for continuous losses of coolant at the body maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Nashat Z. Zakhary, Armen Zakarian
  • Patent number: 5443175
    Abstract: A can closure includes a plastic insert permanently installed in a hole in the can top, and a plug which seats in a pouring aperture extending through the insert. Locking dogs on both the insert and the plug provide a bayonet-type connection so that the container can be resealed after its contents have been partially used. Protrusions on the locking dogs prevent the plug from being fully removed until pressure within the container has been relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Kelly, Mike Price
  • Patent number: 5419094
    Abstract: A rotary capping machine (10) includes a nonrotating center shaft (26) about which a turret (28) is rotatably mounted. The turret (28) is rotated by a motor (30) whose speed can be adjusted to alter the bottle through put rate of the capping machine (10). A plurality of spindle shafts (44) are supported on the turret (28) in a circle about the center shaft (26). A rotary capping head (48) is positioned on the end of each spindle shaft (44) and includes a clutch mechanism. A drive motor (68) supported on the center shaft (26) rotates each of the spindle shafts (44) in unison through a compound and planetary gear train. As the spindle shafts (44) revolve about the center shaft (26), they are linearly reciprocated by a barrel cam (50) arrangement. A rotary encoder (78) senses the instantaneous rotational speed of the turret (28) and sends feed back signals to a CPU to control the drive motor (68) so the spindle shafts (44) always rotate at a field determined constant speed regardless of the turret speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Vander Bush, Jr., John M. Mathy, Jr., Lehew W. Miller, Jr., James L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5405032
    Abstract: A plastic tamper-indicating closure comprises a cap and a tamper-indicating band attached thereto by primary and secondary connecting bridges having different strengths, so that the secondary bridges are broken substantially more easily than are the primary bridges when the cap is removed from the neck of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5356019
    Abstract: A plastic tamper-indicating closure (1) possesses a closure cap (2) on which, by means of weakened web portions (5), a tamper-indicating band (6) is fixed. The tamper-indicating band (6) is provided with a number of blocking elements (8). The blocking elements (8) are connected with the tamper-indicating band via integral hinges (7). During screwing onto the container neck, the blocking elements (8) can be pivoted upwards and radially outwards into a first closed position (I). As opposed to this, during opening of the tamper-indicating closure the blocking elements are pivoted downwards and radially inwards into a second opening position (II). With that, the effective internal diameter will be reduced, by which means the blocking element will be held in engagement with the corresponding locking surface on a container neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5339731
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for printing individual metal body blanks, from which three piece container bodies are formed, in a multi-colored image on an individual body blank basis. Individual body blanks are cut from a sheet and fed in two parallel streams to the rotating impression cylinder of a multi-color off-set litho press. The body blanks are secured to the impression cylinder using mechanical clamps and magnets and are rotated sequentially past a number of inking unit/ultraviolet lamp pairs. As each color ink is applied by an inking unit, it is immediately cured by an adjacent ultraviolet lamp before the body blank is transported to the next inking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Howard, Oliver J. Tysver, Sheldon Osheff, John G. McGrail, Robert J. Petrie
  • Patent number: 5315858
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for redrawing a drawn cup are disclosed. In particular, the methods and apparatus disclosed are directed to redrawing a container body for use in a two piece beverage container. The redraw operation uses a redraw sleeve and a redraw ring that prevent wrinkles when a thin gauge metal is employed. The wrinkles are prevented by providing cooperating displacements on the surfaces of the redraw ring and the redraw sleeve that clamp the bottom surface of the cup that is being redrawn. This displacement provides a convoluted path through which the metal is pulled during the redraw operation to increase the resistance to being drawn and the tension in the side wall, thereby substantially eliminating wrinkles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter K. Naggert, James J. Tang, Robert J. Gruodis
  • Patent number: D367426
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventor: George Ruff