Patents by Inventor Christopher S. Derks

Christopher S. Derks 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).

  • Patent number: 6889725
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Coors Global Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. Sandidge
  • Publication number: 20040261893
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. Sandidge
  • Patent number: 6763858
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Coors Global Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Publication number: 20040079440
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6698467
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6659144
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Publication number: 20030111132
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Publication number: 20030089420
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6505656
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Publication number: 20020134459
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 6378571
    Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a supply tank having an intake line connected to a source of liquefied gas. A solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers is connected via another intake line to the supply tank. A back pressure regulator controls the pressure within the supply tank and the injector apparatus. A liquid level control valve within the supply tank prevents liquefied gas from entering the back pressure regulator. Upon sensing the presence of a container, a sensor actuates a solenoid which opens an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is then deactivated, closing the injector valve and blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Coors Brewing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
  • Patent number: 4874079
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating a continuous stream of filled beverage bottles moving in a single row in one linear direction into a plurality of spaced apart rows of filled beverage bottles moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to such one linear direction using at least first, second and third continuously moving conveyors moving in spaced apart parallel linear directions and a continuously moving collection conveyor moving in a linear direction substantially perpendicular thereto wherein the middle filled beverage bottle of three successive filled beverage bottles is moved at spaced apart intervals over the second or third continuously moving conveyors and onto the continuously moving collection conveyor to form spaced streams of filled beverage bottles thereon and wherein the filled beverage bottles remaining on the third continuously moving conveyor are transferred to the continuously moving collection conveyor to form another stream of filled beverage bottles thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Frenkel, Christopher S. Derks, Donald L. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 4592720
    Abstract: A reheating and blow molding system utilizing an indexing plate having pairs of core pins mounted on the periphery. Radiant heaters heat parisons mounted on the core pin to a temperature suitable for blow molding while the parisons are rotated in response to movement of a spin belt. Rotation of the parisons during heating provides greater uniformity of heating. Tapered shanks remove the core pins from core pin holders and dispose the parisons in a mold for blow molding. The core pins are then disposed in the core pin holders and indexed to a subsequent indexing location where the finished article is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Larry M. Dugan, Bruce A. Moen, David E. Rasmussen, Christopher S. Derks, Richard L. Szabo, William C. Carlsen, Robert J. DeRoche, James W. Ditto