Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Steffan

Daniel J. Steffan 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: 10514124
    Abstract: A plug for sealing an interior of a tube and including a cylindrical body having a first end that is open and includes an annular surface, and a second end that is closed by a conical end wall. The cylindrical body having a plurality of ribs that are configured to engage the interior of the tube and provide a seal between the plug and the interior of the tube. The plug also includes a handle unitary with the cylindrical body that extends from the annular surface. The handle has a cylindrical inner surface that is coextensive with an interior surface of the cylindrical body and an outer surface that is coextensive with an exterior surface of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John Webb, Michael Baum, Christie Shumpert, Robert Merrill Sutton, Christopher Charles Saylor, Kenneth Mark Shane, Daniel J. Steffan
  • Publication number: 20180306370
    Abstract: A plug for sealing an interior of a tube and including a cylindrical body having a first end that is open and includes an annular surface, and a second end that is closed by a conical end wall. The cylindrical body having a plurality of ribs that are configured to engage the interior of the tube and provide a seal between the plug and the interior of the tube. The plug also includes a handle unitary with the cylindrical body that extends from the annular surface. The handle has a cylindrical inner surface that is coextensive with an interior surface of the cylindrical body and an outer surface that is coextensive with an exterior surface of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: John WEBB, Michael BAUM, Christie SHUMPERT, Robert Merrill SUTTON, Christopher Charles SAYLOR, Kenneth Mark SHANE, Daniel J. STEFFAN
  • Publication number: 20080232927
    Abstract: A protective cap for a threaded valve stem has a protective end, an open end, and a wall between the protective end and the open end. The wall has an internal surface and may have a plurality of ribs located on the internal surface, wherein the ribs have a tapered portion facing the open end for use in guiding the threaded valve stem into the center of the protective cap as it is inserted. The protective cap also has a plurality of projections connected to the internal surface of the wall for engaging the external threads of the valve stem, to prevent easy removal of the cap. The protective end and/or the wall also has a plurality of vent openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: ALLIANCE PLASTICS
    Inventors: Matthew G. Trimble, Daniel J. Steffan
  • Publication number: 20080196768
    Abstract: A capping system for a container having a valve stem, comprising: a flexible tether having a first end region, a second end region, and a central region between the first and second end regions. A first connector is located at the first end region for attaching the tethered capping system to the container. A first cap is located in one of the central and second end regions and sized to frictionally fit over the valve stem. The other of the central and second end regions has a second connector for attaching a second cap to the tether. The second cap may be a threaded pressure cap for correspondingly engaging threads located on the valve stem. In alternative embodiments, the first connector can be located in the central region, and the first cap and second connector for the second cap are located in the first and second end regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: ALLIANCE PLASTICS
    Inventor: Daniel J. Steffan
  • Patent number: 6854616
    Abstract: A protective cap for a threaded valve stem includes a generally cylindrical portion including a closed end, an open end and a cylindrical wall portion therebetween. A plurality of locating ribs are located on an internal surface of the cylindrical wall portion. A plurality of fingers project radially inward from the internal surface between the locating ribs. A tear strip formed by two frangible members, and a pull tab are formed on an external surface of the cylindrical wall portion. Each finger is located between a pair of the locating ribs and has a flexible portion adjacent the internal surface for locating the fingers in unlocked state and a locked state. The fingers in the unlocked state are inclined toward the open end, and the fingers in the locked state curl toward the closed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Alliance Plastics
    Inventor: Daniel J. Steffan
  • Publication number: 20030201266
    Abstract: A protective cap for a threaded valve stem includes a generally cylindrical portion including a closed end, an open end and a cylindrical wall portion therebetween. A plurality of locating ribs are located on an internal surface of the cylindrical wall portion. A plurality of fingers project radially inward from the internal surface between the locating ribs. A tear strip formed by two frangible members, and a pull tab are formed on an external surface of the cylindrical wall portion Each finger is located between a pair of the locating ribs and has a flexible portion adjacent the internal surface for locating the fingers in unlocked state and a locked state. The fingers in the unlocked state are inclined toward the open end, and the fingers in the locked state curl toward the closed end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Alliance Plastics
    Inventor: Daniel J. Steffan
  • Patent number: D468002
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Alliance Plastics
    Inventor: Daniel J. Steffan