Patents by Inventor Aaron E. Carstens
Aaron E. Carstens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11826809Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the blank of material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling having a clamp bead, or a progressive clamp bead, for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, as well as an associated method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Patrick K. McCarty, Gregory H. Butcher
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Patent number: 11806772Abstract: A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard guide bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead, the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Kenneth E. Carper, Russell Bauer, Ian Kenneth Scholey
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Patent number: 11731186Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the blank of material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling having a clamp bead, or a progressive clamp bead, for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, as well as an associated method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Patrick K. McCarty, Gregory H. Butcher
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Publication number: 20210316353Abstract: A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard guide bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead, the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Kenneth E. Carper, Russell Bauer, Ian Kenneth Scholey
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Patent number: 11077478Abstract: A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard guide bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead, the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Kenneth E. Carper, Russell Bauer, Ian Kenneth Scholey
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Patent number: 10888913Abstract: A shell, a container employing the shell, and tooling and associated methods for forming the shell are provided. The shell includes a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, an annular countersink between the center panel and the circumferential chuck wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall. The material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell is selectively stretched relative to at least one other portion of the shell, thereby providing a corresponding thinned portion. The tooling includes a pressure concentrating forming surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Paul L. Ripple, Gregory H. Butcher, Patrick K. McCarty
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Patent number: 10814376Abstract: A can bodymaker ram assembly is provided. The ram assembly includes an elongated, generally hollow ram body and a tension assembly. The ram body includes a proximal end, a medial portion, and a distal end. The tension assembly includes an elongated support member. The tension assembly support member includes a proximal end and a distal end. The tension assembly support member is substantially disposed within the ram body with the tension assembly support member proximal end coupled to the ram body proximal end, and the tension assembly support member distal end coupled to one of the ram body medial portion or the ram body distal end.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Kenneth E. Carper, Russell Bauer
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Patent number: 10695818Abstract: A shell, a container employing the shell, and tooling and associated methods for forming the shell are provided. The shell includes a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, an annular countersink between the center panel and the circumferential chuck wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall. The material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell is selectively stretched relative to at least one other portion of the shell, thereby providing a corresponding thinned portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: James A. McClung, Aaron E. Carstens, Gregory H. Butcher, Paul L. Ripple
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Publication number: 20200156136Abstract: A can bodymaker includes a housing assembly, a drive mechanism, a ram assembly, a domer assembly, and a ram body dampening assembly. The ram assembly includes an elongated ram body. The drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the ram assembly so that the drive mechanism imparts a reciprocating motion to the ram body. The ram body dampening assembly is disposed adjacent the ram body path of travel. The ram body dampening assembly includes a housing and a dampening member. The dampening member is disposed immediately adjacent the ram body path of travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, lan Kenneth Scholey, Daniel A. Jansen
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Publication number: 20200147665Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the blank of material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling having a clamp bead, or a progressive clamp bead, for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, as well as an associated method are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Patrick K. McCarty, Gregory H. Butcher
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Patent number: 10589334Abstract: A can bodymaker includes a housing assembly, a drive mechanism, a ram assembly, a domer assembly, and a ram body dampening assembly. The ram assembly includes an elongated ram body. The drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the ram assembly so that the drive mechanism imparts a reciprocating motion to the ram body. The ram body dampening assembly is disposed adjacent the ram body path of travel. The ram body dampening assembly includes a housing and a dampening member. The dampening member is disposed immediately adjacent the ram body path of travel.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Ian Kenneth Scholey, Daniel A. Jansen
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Patent number: 10525519Abstract: A container, such as a beverage or food can is provided, which includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. The material of the bottom portion is stretched relative to the first sidewall and the second sidewall to form a thinned preselected profile, such as a dome. The material of the container at or about the dome has a substantially uniform thickness. The container is formed from a blank of material, which has a base gauge prior to being formed. After being formed, the blank of material of the container at or about the dome has a thickness less than the base gauge. Tooling having a clamp bead, or a progressive clamp bead, for selectively forming a blank of material into a container, as well as an associated method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Paul L. Ripple, Gregory H. Butcher
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Patent number: 10352385Abstract: A conversion system wherein a crankshaft drives the motion of the tooling assemblies within a number of lanes is provided. The crankshaft is structured to move the tooling assemblies associated with less than the total number of lanes. That is, for example, a four lane conversion press could include two crankshafts each actuating the tooling assemblies of two lanes. In an exemplary embodiment, each lane has a single associated crankshaft. The conversion system includes a multiple press drive assembly with a clutch/brake assembly and a flywheel assembly. The clutch/brake assembly is structured to suspend operation of the press units while the flywheel assembly stores energy in a flywheel. When operation of the press units is restarted, energy from the flywheel aids the motor in bringing the press units to an operating speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Patrick K. McCarty, Jason A. Davidson, Neil A. Zumberger, Kenneth E. Carper, Russell Bauer
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Publication number: 20190201962Abstract: A can bodymaker includes a housing assembly, a drive mechanism, a ram assembly, a domer assembly, and a ram body dampening assembly. The ram assembly includes an elongated ram body. The drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the ram assembly so that the drive mechanism imparts a reciprocating motion to the ram body. The ram body dampening assembly is disposed adjacent the ram body path of travel. The ram body dampening assembly includes a housing and a dampening member. The dampening member is disposed immediately adjacent the ram body path of travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Ian Kenneth Scholey, Daniel A. Jansen
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Publication number: 20190076904Abstract: A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard guide bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead, the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Kenneth E. Carper, Russell Bauer, Ian Kenneth Scholey
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Patent number: 10137490Abstract: A hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly for a can bodymaker is provided. The hydrostatic/hydrodynamic fluid bearing assembly is separate from the ram body. The outboard guide bearing assembly includes a carriage assembly and a number of elongated journals. The carriage assembly includes a ram coupling, a crank coupling, and body defining a number of journal passages. The ram body is coupled to a ram coupling. The crank coupling is structured to be coupled to a crank arm. Each journal extends through a carriage assembly body journal passage. In this configuration, the ram body may form a can body in a traditional manner, but fluid bearing assembly fluid is not applied to the ram body. Instead, the fluid bearing assembly fluid is applied to the journals.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Gregory H. Butcher, Aaron E. Carstens, Kenneth E. Carper, Russell Bauer, Ian Kenneth Scholey
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Publication number: 20180236523Abstract: A shell, a container employing the shell, and tooling and associated methods for forming the shell are provided. The shell includes a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, an annular countersink between the center panel and the circumferential chuck wall, and a curl extending radially outwardly from the chuck wall. The material of at least one predetermined portion of the shell is selectively stretched relative to at least one other portion of the shell, thereby providing a corresponding thinned portion. The tooling includes a pressure concentrating forming surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Aaron E. Carstens, James A. McClung, Paul L. Ripple, Gregory H. Butcher, Patrick K. McCarty
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Publication number: 20180170606Abstract: A formed blank is provided. The formed blank includes a stretched portion and/or a truncated protrusion, a tooling assembly structured to form a formed blank including a stretched portion and/or a truncated protrusion, and a method of forming a formed blank including a stretched portion and/or a truncated protrusion. The formed blank includes a base and a depending sidewall. The stretched portion and/or the truncated protrusion is disposed on the formed blank base and the thickness of the stretched portion and/or the truncated protrusion is less than the sidewall. The stretched portion and/or the truncated protrusion utilizes less material relative to an unformed base that has about the same thickness as the sidewall.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Aaron E. Carstens, Patrick K. McCarty, James A. McClung, Paul L. Ripple, Gregory H. Butcher
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Patent number: D827685Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Aaron E. Carstens, Patrick K. McCarty, James A. McClung, Paul L. Ripple, Gregory H. Butcher
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Patent number: D839935Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Aaron E. Carstens, Patrick K. McCarty, James A. McClung, Paul L. Ripple, Gregory H. Butcher