Patents by Inventor Craig Allen McEldowney

Craig Allen McEldowney 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: 10967412
    Abstract: A method of forming a can end shell is provided which includes providing a can end shell having a central panel portion, a first panel radius around the central panel portion, a chamfer extending from the first panel radius, and a second panel radius around the chamfer, coining the can end shell to form a coined section in the first panel radius around at least a portion of the circumference of the central panel portion, and reforming the can end shell to form a step in the chamfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Richard Mitchell, Aaron Emmanuel Carstens, Craig Allen McEldowney
  • Patent number: 10384830
    Abstract: A tab is provided, which includes a body having first and second opposing ends, a nose portion disposed at or about the first end of the body, a lift portion disposed at or about the second end of the body of the tab, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a generally planar portion, a rivet hole having a perimeter, and an upturned portion extending upwardly from the generally planar portion about the perimeter of the rivet hole. The upturned portion reinforces the rivet hole and has an arcuate cross section profile. An integral rivet extends through the rivet hole and is staked to affix the tab to a can end. The upturned portion is devoid of any corners or edges both before and after the integral rivet is staked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Richard Mitchell, Craig Allen McEldowney, Robert H. Brussell, Gregory H. Butcher
  • Publication number: 20180050379
    Abstract: A method of forming a can end shell is provided which includes providing a can end shell having a central panel portion, a first panel radius around the central panel portion, a chamfer extending from the first panel radius, and a second panel radius around the chamfer, coining the can end shell to form a coined section in the first panel radius around at least a portion of the circumference of the central panel portion, and reforming the can end shell to form a step in the chamfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: MARK RICHARD MITCHELL, AARON EMMANUEL CARSTENS, CRAIG ALLEN MCELDOWNEY
  • Publication number: 20170113835
    Abstract: A tab is provided, which includes a body having first and second opposing ends, a nose portion disposed at or about the first end of the body, a lift portion disposed at or about the second end of the body of the tab, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a generally planar portion, a rivet hole having a perimeter, and an upturned portion extending upwardly from the generally planar portion about the perimeter of the rivet hole. The upturned portion reinforces the rivet hole and has an arcuate cross section profile. An integral rivet extends through the rivet hole and is staked to affix the tab to a can end. The upturned portion is devoid of any corners or edges both before and after the integral rivet is staked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: MARK RICHARD MITCHELL, CRAIG ALLEN MCELDOWNEY, ROBERT H. BRUSSELL, GREGORY H. BUTCHER
  • Publication number: 20170101214
    Abstract: A tab is provided to facilitate opening of a can end. The tab has a nose portion located at a first end of the tab and a lift portion located at a second end of the tab opposite the nose portion. A rivet receiving portion is located proximate to the nose portion, and includes a rivet hole. A flange extends rearwardly from the lift portion of the tab to define a gap. The gap provides increased space between the underside of the flange and the exterior of the container end, thereby facilitating opening of the container end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: CRAIG ALLEN MCELDOWNEY, MARK RICHARD MITCHELL
  • Patent number: 9573724
    Abstract: A tab is provided, which includes a body having first and second opposing ends, a nose portion disposed at or about the first end of the body, a lift portion disposed at or about the second end of the body of the tab, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a generally planar portion, a rivet hole having a perimeter, and an upturned portion extending upwardly from the generally planar portion about the perimeter of the rivet hole. The upturned portion reinforces the rivet hole and has an arcuate cross section profile. An integral rivet extends through the rivet hole and is staked to affix the tab to a can end. The upturned portion is devoid of any corners or edges both before and after the integral rivet is staked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Richard Mitchell, Craig Allen McEldowney, Robert H. Brussell, Gregory H. Butcher
  • Publication number: 20140110408
    Abstract: A method of forming a can end shell is provided which includes providing a can end shell having a central panel portion, a first panel radius around the central panel portion, a chamfer extending from the first panel radius, and a second panel radius around the chamfer, coining the can end shell to form a coined section in the first panel radius around at least a portion of the circumference of the central panel portion, and reforming the can end shell to form a step in the chamfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: MARK RICHARD MITCHELL, Aaron Emmanuel Carstens, Craig Allen McEldowney
  • Patent number: 8161787
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a tab used to open food can ends and beer/beverage can ends. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab. The tab also has a rivet receiving portion located proximate to the nose portion with a rivet hole. The rivet receiving portion is coupled to the nose portion. The rivet hole has a non-round perimeter with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The first diameter portion has a plurality of first arcuate segments and the second diameter portion has a plurality of notches. The second diameter portion is greater in length than the first diameter portion. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7975520
    Abstract: A tab is used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has one or more arcuate strips that are provided on a surface of the tab proximate to a peripheral surface of the tab where the one or more arcuate strips have been formed further into a preselected portion of curled or hemmed portions of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20110147382
    Abstract: A tab is provided, which includes a body having first and second opposing ends, a nose portion disposed at or about the first end of the body, a lift portion disposed at or about the second end of the body of the tab, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a generally planar portion, a rivet hole having a perimeter, and an upturned portion extending upwardly from the generally planar portion about the perimeter of the rivet hole. The upturned portion reinforces the rivet hole and has an arcuate cross section profile. An integral rivet extends through the rivet hole and is staked to affix the tab to a can end. The upturned portion is devoid of any corners or edges both before and after the integral rivet is staked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: MARK RICHARD MITCHELL, Craig Allen McEldowney, Robert H. Brussell
  • Publication number: 20100124475
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a tab used to open food can ends and beer/beverage can ends. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab. The tab also has a rivet receiving portion located proximate to the nose portion with a rivet hole. The rivet receiving portion is coupled to the nose portion. The rivet hole has a non-round perimeter with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The first diameter portion has a plurality of first arcuate segments and the second diameter portion has a plurality of notches. The second diameter portion is greater in length than the first diameter portion. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7677404
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a tab used to open food can ends and beer/beverage can ends. The tab has a nose portion located at a front end of the tab and a lift portion located at a back end of the tab. The tab also has a rivet receiving portion located proximate to the nose portion with a rivet hole. The rivet receiving portion is coupled to the nose portion. The rivet hole has a non-round perimeter with a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion. The first diameter portion has a plurality of first arcuate segments and the second diameter portion has a plurality of notches. The second diameter portion is greater in length than the first diameter portion. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20100021270
    Abstract: A tab is used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has one or more arcuate strips that are provided on a surface of the tab proximate to a peripheral surface of the tab where the one or more arcuate strips have been formed further into a preselected portion of curled or hemmed portions of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20100021629
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to a spray apparatus and a method useful in the repair of coating adhered to can ends used in the food and beverage packaging industries. The spray apparatus has one or more elongated shafts rotatably coupled to a frame. One or more bearing members are rotatably coupled to the shafts. One or more plates are rotatably coupled to the bearing members. One or more spray guns are coupled to the plates. The spray guns of the spray apparatus are structured to apply fluid to the can end with a solid stream emitted from the spray guns in a circular pattern. A method for the repair of coating adhered on a can end is provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Dennis Cornelius Stammen
  • Patent number: 7614520
    Abstract: A tab is used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has one or more arcuate strips that are provided on a surface of the tab proximate to a peripheral surface of the tab where the one or more arcuate strips have been formed further into a preselected portion of curled or hemmed portions of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the tab is additionally provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Patent number: D594329
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Mark Richard Mitchell
  • Tab
    Patent number: D620796
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Allen McEldowney, Aaron Emmanuel Carstens, Robert Joseph Will
  • Patent number: D993995
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Cornelius Stammen, Craig Allen McEldowney, Christopher Lawrence Macke
  • Patent number: D1004387
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Cornelius Stammen, Craig Allen McEldowney, Christopher Lawrence Macke
  • Patent number: D1005070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Cornelius Stammen, Craig Allen McEldowney, Christopher Lawrence Macke