Patents by Inventor Dennis Szczesniak

Dennis Szczesniak 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: 11753213
    Abstract: Described is one or more embodiments of closures that include a pressure-relieving feature in a third plug. In one embodiment, the pressure-relieving feature is a gap within the third plug. In another embodiment, the pressure-relieving feature includes one or more recesses within inner surface of the third plug, thereby providing fluid communication between an outer surface of the second plug and the ambient air outside the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Hohl, Dennis Szczesniak, Darren R. Neputy, Jack Pierce, Dustin Vance, Sungsuk Steve Kim
  • Publication number: 20220267054
    Abstract: A composite closure which includes an improved sealing gasket material and shape. The Closure includes an end panel that is received in a circular plastic fitment having a central opening therein defined by an inwardly extending flange which over-lies in an outer periphery of the end panel and an integral skirt downwardly depending from the flange. The fitment includes an inwardly extending circumferential bead or bead segments which include a substantially non-deformable flat vertical surfaces that are substantially parallel to the axis of the closure and axially positioned to contact the radial outer-most edge of the end panel when the closure is fully applied to a container. The sealing gasket has the shape of an annulus with a particular cross-section and formed from a PVC free material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Hewett, Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, Darren Neputy, Tian Liang, Dustin Vance
  • Publication number: 20210394968
    Abstract: Described is one or more embodiments of closures that include a pressure-relieving feature in a third plug. In one embodiment, the pressure-relieving feature is a gap within the third plug. In another embodiment, the pressure-relieving feature includes one or more recesses within inner surface of the third plug, thereby providing fluid communication between an outer surface of the second plug and the ambient air outside the closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Wayne Hohl, Dennis Szczesniak, Darren R. Neputy, Jack Pierce, Dustin Vance, Sungsuk Steve Kim
  • Publication number: 20190329939
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 10364070
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Publication number: 20180346205
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures. The closure is provided with a gasket configured to provide enhanced sealing properties when the closure is secured to a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, Mark Hewett, Bradley C. Kiss, William J. Kapolas
  • Publication number: 20170267414
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 9694946
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 9428292
    Abstract: A system and method for injecting pressurizing fluid into a filled and sealed container is provided. The container is filled with a product and is then sealed with a closure. A pressurizing fluid is injected through the closure into the container cavity after sealing and filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SILGAN WHITE CAP LLC
    Inventors: James M. Taber, Kevin W. Orth, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Publication number: 20160152384
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 9221586
    Abstract: A closure that includes a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The skirt terminates in a plurality of spaced thread engagement flanges for engaging the thread of the neck of a container. The closure includes a polymer-filled channel which connects the top panel to the skirt. When engaged with the threaded neck of a container, the neck is forced into the channel and engaged by the polymer so that the channel and polymer provide lateral rigidity to the neck. This rigidity prevents the neck from deflecting from the forces resulting between the threads and thread engagement lugs when the forces therebetween are increased to the level required to adequately seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, James M. Taber, Stephen J. Kras
  • Publication number: 20150129533
    Abstract: A container closure assembly includes a cap and a spout assembly. The cap includes an internal thread that is configured to engage with an external thread located on the spout assembly. The cap further includes an engagement prong assembly that is configured to engage with the cylindrical band located on the spout assembly. The cylindrical band is supported by a plurality of tabs such that the engagement prong assembly extends between the band and the external threads when the internal and external threads are engaged and the cap is rotated such that the interaction of the threads moves the cap toward the band, the engagement prong assembly engaging the band when the cap seals the open end of the hollow cylinder, and the engagement prong assembly breaks the tabs when the cap is rotated causing the cap to unseal the open end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: James M. Taber, Darren Neputy, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Publication number: 20150121807
    Abstract: A method and system for injecting fluid into a sealed container that contains a consumable product is provided. The container is filled with a consumable product and then sealed with a closure. A fluid is injected through the closure into the container cavity after filling and sealing. The fluid increases the internal pressure of the container and scavenges oxygen in the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: James M. Taber, Kevin W. Orth, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Publication number: 20150041474
    Abstract: A closure that includes a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The skirt terminates in a plurality of spaced thread engagement flanges for engaging the thread of the neck of a container. The closure includes a polymer-filled channel which connects the top panel to the skirt. When engaged with the threaded neck of a container, the neck is forced into the channel and engaged by the polymer so that the channel and polymer provide lateral rigidity to the neck. This rigidity prevents the neck from deflecting from the forces resulting between the threads and thread engagement lugs when the forces therebetween are increased to the level required to adequately seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, James M. Taber, Stephen J. Kras
  • Patent number: 8893906
    Abstract: A closure that includes a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The skirt terminates in a plurality of spaced thread engagement flanges for engaging the thread of the neck of a container. The closure includes a polymer-filled channel which connects the top panel to the skirt. When engaged with the threaded neck of a container, the neck is forced into the channel and engaged by the polymer so that the channel and polymer provide lateral rigidity to the neck. This rigidity prevents the neck from deflecting from the forces resulting between the threads and thread engagement lugs when the forces therebetween are increased to the level required to adequately seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, James M. Taber, Stephen J. Kras
  • Publication number: 20140263155
    Abstract: A closure that includes a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The skirt terminates in a plurality of spaced thread engagement flanges for engaging the thread of the neck of a container. The closure includes a polymer-filled channel which connects the top panel to the skirt. When engaged with the threaded neck of a container, the neck is forced into the channel and engaged by the polymer so that the channel and polymer provide lateral rigidity to the neck. This rigidity prevents the neck from deflecting from the forces resulting between the threads and thread engagement lugs when the forces therebetween are increased to the level required to adequately seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, James M. Taber, Stephen J. Kras
  • Publication number: 20140260100
    Abstract: A system and method for injecting pressurizing fluid into a filled and sealed container is provided. The container is filled with a product and is then sealed with a closure. A pressurizing fluid is injected through the closure into the container cavity after sealing and filling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: James M. Taber, Kevin W. Orth, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 8596477
    Abstract: Retortable packages including plastic closure caps are disclosed. The closure cap includes an end panel and a liner applied to the end panel. The finish contacting surface of the liner has a profile that is generally arc-shaped or torroidal-like prior to contact with the finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Kras, Dennis Szczesniak, James Taber, William Kapolas, Kevin Orth
  • Patent number: D712744
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Darren Neputy, James M. Taber, Dennis A. Szczesniak
  • Patent number: D790344
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Darren Neputy, James M. Taber, Dennis A. Szczesniak