Patents by Inventor Eric D. Kowal

Eric D. Kowal 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: 11325757
    Abstract: A re-closable vent for a container closure which requires no pre-formed holes in the closure deck, provides a tamper-evident feature, and provides simple rotation of a cap structure to open and a vent after punching out a frangible deck section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Letica Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Selina, Wayne J. Harper, Eric D. Kowal
  • Publication number: 20190185229
    Abstract: A re-closable vent for a container closure which requires no pre-formed holes in the closure deck, provides a tamper-evident feature, and provides simple rotation of a cap structure to open and a vent after punching out a frangible deck section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: John R. Selina, Wayne J. Harper, Eric D. Kowal
  • Patent number: 8505990
    Abstract: The present invention provides for various embodiments of a corner energy absorber. In one embodiment the corner energy absorber includes a body portion and an arm portion. The body portion comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and a front wall that extends from the top surface to the bottom surface. The corner energy absorber further includes a crush member extending from the front wall of the body portion between the top surface and the bottom surface of the body portion. In another embodiment, at least one of the body portion and the arm portion comprises an attachment feature. The invention also provides for various embodiments of a bumper system comprising a corner energy absorber connected to a bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Czopek, Eric Jon Jaarda, Eric D. Kowal
  • Publication number: 20120291941
    Abstract: The present invention provides for various embodiments of a unitary fascia energy absorber including an aesthetic appearance while also providing improved energy management. In an embodiment a process for producing a fascia energy absorber includes heating and forming a polymer sheets to form an outer member and heating and forming a second polymer sheet to form an inner member. The inner member and the outer member are then joined to form a fascia energy absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Czopek, Eric Jon Jaarda, Eric D. Kowal
  • Patent number: 8047603
    Abstract: A plastic crush countermeasure for motor vehicles that includes a plastic insert and a reinforcement structure that provides impact and/or reinforcement characteristics and an attachment interface to the vehicle in a lighter weight structure. The crush countermeasure provides a lightweight crush system that provides comparable protection to current metal crush countermeasures using, in part, a plastic material. As such, the overall weight of a vehicle is reduced without any reduction in safety to passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Goral, Todd Korpi, Eric D. Kowal, Prasad Satyanarayana Puvvala
  • Patent number: 7806448
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper system includes a beam configured to attach to a vehicle and a thermoformed energy absorber positioned on the beam. The energy absorber comprises a frame and a crush lobe extending from the frame. The crush lobe comprises a lobe wall extending between the frame and an outer wall. The change in lobe wall thickness may be constant. The outer wall is curved away from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Kent Allen, Brian Joseph Czopek, Eric D. Kowal, Sandeep Kulkarni, Dhanendra Kumar Nagwanshi
  • Publication number: 20100109353
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper system includes a beam configured to attach to a vehicle and a thermoformed energy absorber positioned on the beam. The energy absorber comprises a frame and a crush lobe extending from the frame. The crush lobe comprises a lobe wall extending between the frame and an outer wall. The change in lobe wall thickness may be constant. The outer wall is curved away from the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
    Inventors: Kent Allen, Brian Joseph Czopek, Eric D. Kowal, Sandeep Kulkarni, Dhanendra Kumar Nagwanshi
  • Publication number: 20090309387
    Abstract: A plastic crush countermeasure for motor vehicles that includes a plastic insert and a reinforcement structure that provides impact and/or reinforcement characteristics and an attachment interface to the vehicle in a lighter weight structure. The crush countermeasure provides a lightweight crush system that provides comparable protection to current metal crush countermeasures using, in part, a plastic material. As such, the overall weight of a vehicle is reduced without any reduction in safety to passengers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas M. Goral, Todd Korpi, Eric D. Kowal, Prasad Satyanarayana Puvvala
  • Publication number: 20090160204
    Abstract: The present invention provides for various embodiments of a corner energy absorber. In one embodiment the corner energy absorber includes a body portion and an arm portion. The body portion comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and a front wall that extends from the top surface to the bottom surface. The corner energy absorber further includes a crush member extending from the front wall of the body portion between the top surface and the bottom surface of the body portion. In another embodiment, at least one of the body portion and the arm portion comprises an attachment feature. The invention also provides for various embodiments of a bumper system comprising a corner energy absorber connected to a bumper beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Czopek, Eric Jon Jaarda, Eric D. Kowal
  • Patent number: 7399036
    Abstract: A molded seat that is formed from plastic and has improved strength and attachment mechanisms. The seat includes a seat back and a seat pan, both of which are constructed from a plastic material. The universal seat also includes an articulated recliner that is connected to both the seat back and the seat pan. The articulated recliner includes high-strength sheath portions into which plastic bayonets from the seat pan and the seat back are inserted. The use of the articulated recliner results in a seat having improved strength. In addition, the combination of the sheaths of the articulated recliner in conjunction with the bayonets of the seat back and seat pan help eliminate the need for additional attachment mechanisms, thereby making the universal seat easier to manufacture and install.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Eric D. Kowal, Arthur Vermolen
  • Publication number: 20080129097
    Abstract: A molded seat that is formed from plastic and has improved strength and attachment mechanisms. The seat includes a seat back and a seat pan, both of which are constructed from a plastic material. The universal seat also includes an articulated recliner that is connected to both the seat back and the seat pan. The articulated recliner includes high-strength sheath portions into which plastic bayonets from the seat pan and the seat back are inserted. The use of the articulated recliner results in a seat having improved strength. In addition, the combination of the sheaths of the articulated recliner in conjunction with the bayonets of the seat back and seat pan help eliminate the need for additional attachment mechanisms, thereby making the universal seat easier to manufacture and install.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Eric D. Kowal, Arthur Vermolen
  • Publication number: 20040174025
    Abstract: An blow molded energy absorber for a front bumper system on automotive vehicles is a molded unitary structure having a crushable forward projecting portion adapted to crush upon impact and rearward portion for attachment to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Converse, Eric D. Kowal, Vincent L. Lanning, Srikanth Santhanam, Stephen Shuler
  • Publication number: 20040094975
    Abstract: A hybrid bumper system includes a hollow reinforcing metallic beam and a molded engineering thermoplastic resin energy absorber. The energy absorber further includes at least one crushable portion. The hollow metallic beam is secured in a physically stable combination with the energy absorber, thereby resulting in a solitary hybrid bumper system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Shuler, Adam Trappe, Eric D. Kowal, Srikanth Santhanam, Suresh Nagesh, Alok Nanda, Tansen Dhananjay Chaudhari