Patents by Inventor Frank L. Sprowl

Frank L. Sprowl 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: 5924586
    Abstract: A plastic beverage closure including a base wall, a peripheral skirt and a plurality of threads on the inner surface of the skirt for engagement with the threads of a container which may be made of glass or plastic. The plastic closure includes a compression molded seal extending about the periphery of the inner surface of the base wall and the juncture of the base wall to the peripheral skirt. The closure includes a central axially thickened portion; a channel surrounding the thickened portion and extending radially to an annular radially thickened portion on the skirt at the juncture with the base wall. A concave surface extends from the base of the channel and merges with the surface of the annular portion. A compression molded liner is provided on the thickened portion, channel and concave surface of the closure and defines a planar sealing surface of contact with the end surface of the finish of a container and an arcuate surface for engaging the arcuate surface of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Gregory, Dennis J. Burzynski, Bruce Jack Rote, Frank L. Sprowl
  • Patent number: 5690882
    Abstract: A method of making a tamper indicating package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on the neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and a tamper indicating band attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakened portions defining a line of severing. An annular flange extends axially upwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the base wall of the closure and includes a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portion. The second portion includes a plurality of segment portions extending upwardly and inwardly from the first continuous portion with the free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead on the container when the closure is threaded onto the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Frank L. Sprowl
  • Patent number: 5650113
    Abstract: A plastic beverage closure including a base wall, a peripheral skirt and a plurality of threads on the inner surface of the skirt for engagement with the threads of a container which may be made of glass or plastic. The plastic closure includes a compression molded seal extending about the periphery of the inner surface of the base wall and the juncture of the base wall to the peripheral skirt. The closure includes a central axially thickened portion; a channel surrounding the thickened portion and extending radially to an annular radially thickened portion on the skirt at the juncture with the base wall. A concave surface extends from the base of the channel and merges with the surface of the annular portion. A compression molded liner is provided on the thickened portion, channel and concave surface of the closure and defines a planar sealing surface of contact with the end surface of the finish of a container and an arcuate surface for engaging the arcuate surface of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Gregory, Dennis J. Burzynski, Bruce Jack Rote, Frank L. Sprowl
  • Patent number: 5462187
    Abstract: A plastic beverage closure comprising a base wall, a peripheral skirt and a plurality of threads on the inner surface of the skirt for engagement with the threads of a container which may be made of glass or plastic. The plastic closure includes a compression molded seal extending about the periphery of the inner surface of the base wall and the juncture of the base wall to the peripheral skirt. The closure includes a central axially thickened portion; a channel surrounding the thickened portion and extending radially to an annular radially thickened portion on the skirt at the juncture with the base wall. A concave surface extends from the base of the channel and merges with the surface of the annular portion. A compression molded liner is provided on the thickened portion, channel and concave surface of the closure and defines a planar sealing surface of contact with the end surface of the finish of a container and an arcuate surface for engaging the arcuate surface of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Gregory, Dennis J. Burzynski, Bruce J. Rote, Frank L. Sprowl
  • Patent number: 5443171
    Abstract: A tamper indicating package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on the neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and a tamper indicating band attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakened portions defining a line of severing. An annular flange extends axially upwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the base wall of the closure and comprises a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portion. The second portion comprises a plurality of segment portions extending upwardly and inwardly from the first continuous portion with the free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead on the container when the closure is threaded onto the container. The flange is bent intermediate its ends so that the second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle than the first continuous flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Frank L. Sprowl
  • Patent number: 5265747
    Abstract: A plastic beverage closure comprising a base wall, a peripheral skirt and a plurality of threads on the inner surface of the skirt for engagement with the threads of a container which may be made of glass or plastic. The plastic closure includes a compression molded seal extending about the periphery of the inner surface of the base wall and the juncture of the base wall to the peripheral skirt. The closure includes a central axially thickened portion; a channel surrounding the thickened portion and extending radially to an annular radially thickened portion on the skirt at the juncture with the base wall. A concave surface extends from the base of the channel and merges with the surface of the annular portion. A compression molded liner is provided on the thickened portion, channel and concave surface of the closure and defines a planar sealing surface for contact with the end surface of the finish of a container and an arcuate surface for engaging the arcuate surface of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Gregory, Dennis J. Burzynski, Bruce J. Rote, Frank L. Sprowl