Patents by Inventor Galen German

Galen German 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: 11492181
    Abstract: A lug closure includes a central top panel, an annular channel outboard of the top panel, a downwardly extending skirt outboard of the channel, the skirt terminating at an inward curl that defines a curl height, and lugs formed in the curl. Each one of the lugs includes a body that extends radially inwardly from the skirt. The body includes a leading edge that merges into a leading portion of the curl. The leading edge tapers in thickness from the curl height to a minimum lug thickness and forms a leading edge vertical taper angle from horizontal between 6 and 15 degrees. A trailing edge merges into a trailing portion of the curl and the trailing edge tapers in thickness from the curl height to the minimum lug thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Sims, Galen German
  • Publication number: 20200290780
    Abstract: A lug closure includes a central top panel, an annular channel outboard of the top panel, a downwardly extending skirt outboard of the channel, the skirt terminating at an inward curl that defines a curl height, and lugs formed in the curl. Each one of the lugs includes a body that extends radially inwardly from the skirt. The body includes a leading edge that merges into a leading portion of the curl. The leading edge tapers in thickness from the curl height to a minimum lug thickness and forms a leading edge vertical taper angle from horizontal between 6 and 15 degrees. A trailing edge merges into a trailing portion of the curl and the trailing edge tapers in thickness from the curl height to the minimum lug thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Bart Sims, Galen German
  • Patent number: 10676250
    Abstract: A lug closure (10) includes a central top panel (20), an annular channel (30) outboard of the top panel, a downwardly extending skirt (50) outboard of the channel, the skirt terminating at an inward curl (54) that defines a curl height, and lugs (60) formed in the curl. Each one of the lugs includes a body that extends radially inwardly from the skirt. The body includes a leading edge (70a) that merges into a leading portion (80a) of the curl. The leading edge tapers in thickness from the curl height to a minimum lug thickness and forms a leading edge vertical taper angle from horizontal between 6 and 15 degrees. A trailing edge (70b) merges into a trailing portion (80b) of the curl and the trailing edge (70b) tapers in thickness from the curl height to the minimum lug thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Sims, Galen German
  • Publication number: 20170233150
    Abstract: A lug closure (10) includes a central top panel (20), an annular channel (30) outboard of the top panel, a downwardly extending skirt (50) outboard of the channel, the skirt terminating at an inward curl (54) that defines a curl height, and lugs (60) formed in the curl. Each one of the lugs includes a body that extends radially inwardly from the skirt. The body includes a leading edge (70a) that merges into a leading portion (80a) of the curl. The leading edge tapers in thickness from the curl height to a minimum lug thickness and forms a leading edge vertical taper angle from horizontal between 6 and 15 degrees. A trailing edge (70b) merges into a trailing portion (80b) of the curl and the trailing edge (70b) tapers in thickness from the curl height to the minimum lug thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Bart SIMS, Galen GERMAN
  • Patent number: 7784629
    Abstract: A composite closure includes a band and an insert disk. A contact surface urges downwardly against the disk even while the band moves longitudinally relative to the disk or container. The closure has a fully tightened position in which the band's ring contacts the disk's annular channel, a loose position in which the ring is spaced apart from the annular channel, and an intermediate tightened position in which the ring is spaced apart from the disk and the contact surface urges against the curl. Another composite closure includes plural fins or gussets. The fins or gussets engage the peripheral curl of the insert disk to secure the band to the disk, which provides a resistance to initial unscrewing of the band. The disengagement torque required to disengage the curl from the fins may enable the closure to function as a one-piece closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Galen German, James L. Martin
  • Publication number: 20070163988
    Abstract: A retortable container package includes a container and a composite closure. The container includes a 60 to 140 taper formed on an inboard side of the finish portion. A raised channel of the closure's insert disk includes a substantially flat top portion and an inner wall sloped at approximately the same angle as the taper angle. A sealant in the channel is deformed upon application of the closure onto the container such that the sealant forms a seal between the closure and each of (i) an outer wall of the finish portion proximate the lip, (ii) the lip, and (iii) the taper. Upon retorting, the seal between the container's taper and the channel inner wall is enhanced by the contraction of the finish portion diameter. A corresponding method includes an application step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Galen German, James Martin
  • Publication number: 20070108155
    Abstract: A composite closure includes a band and an insert disk. A contact surface urges downwardly against the disk even while the band moves longitudinally relative to the disk or container. The closure has a fully tightened position in which the band's ring contacts the disk's annular channel, a loose position in which the ring is spaced apart from the annular channel, and an intermediate tightened position in which the ring is spaced apart from the disk and the contact surface urges against the curl. Another composite closure includes plural fins or gussets. The fins or gussets engage the peripheral curl of the insert disk to secure the band to the disk, which provides a resistance to initial unscrewing of the band. The disengagement torque required to disengage the curl from the fins may enable the closure to function as a one-piece closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Galen German, James Martin
  • Publication number: 20070095781
    Abstract: The present invention relates to closures for mating with containers having a threaded finish. The closures comprise a flange and a skirt downwardly depending therefrom. The skirt includes a deformable element formed of a different material than that of the flange and skirt and disposed on an interior surface. The deformable element inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the container, and accordingly deforms upon mating the closure with the container. The container threads impress threads into the deformable element to form threads on the closure. The deformable element is formed of a suitable material. The closures of the present invention provide for the use of high-speed press-on capping equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Min Wan, Emanuel Shenkar, James Martin, Larry Hottle, Galen German
  • Patent number: 7175039
    Abstract: A composite closure includes a band and an insert disk. A contact surface urges downwardly against the disk even while the band moves longitudinally relative to the disk or container. The closure has a fully tightened position in which the band's ring contacts the disk's annular channel, a loose position in which the ring is spaced apart from the annular channel, and an intermediate tightened position in which the ring is spaced apart from the disk and the contact surface urges against the curl. Another composite closure includes plural fins or gussets. The fins or gussets engage the peripheral curl of the insert disk to secure the band to the disk, which provides a resistance to initial unscrewing of the band. The disengagement torque required to disengage the curl from the fins may enable the closure to function as a one-piece closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Galen German, James L. Martin
  • Patent number: 7134565
    Abstract: A closure for mating with a container has a threaded finish. The closure comprises a flange and a skirt downwardly depending therefrom. The skirt includes a deformable element formed of a different material than that of the flange and skirt and disposed on an interior surface. The deformable element inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the container, and accordingly deforms upon mating the closure with the container. The container threads impress threads into the deformable element to form threads on the closure. The deformable element is formed of a suitable material. The closure of the present invention provides for the use of high-speed press-on capping equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies
    Inventors: Min Miles Wan, Emanuel Shenkar, James L. Martin, Larry Hottle, Galen German
  • Patent number: 7004341
    Abstract: A composite closure type container assembly that is designed for use with unthreaded containers includes a container having an unthreaded outer surface and an opening that is defined by an upper rim, a sealing disc that is sized and shaped to cover the opening and to seal against the upper rim and a securement member that is removably anchored to the container for securing the sealing disc on the container. In one embodiment, the securement member is removably anchored to the container by using a tight frictional engagement. In a second embodiment, the anchoring is accomplished by shaping the container so as to have a downwardly depending skirt that engages and retains the securement member in position until the container assembly is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies, Corporation
    Inventors: Emanuel Shenkar, James L. Martin, Galen German, Min Miles Wan, Chris Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20040149676
    Abstract: A composite closure includes a band and an insert disk. A contact surface urges downwardly against the disk even while the band moves longitudinally relative to the disk or container. The closure has a fully tightened position in which the band's ring contacts the disk's annular channel, a loose position in which the ring is spaced apart from the annular channel, and an intermediate tightened position in which the ring is spaced apart from the disk and the contact surface urges against the curl. Another composite closure includes plural fins or gussets. The fins or gussets engage the peripheral curl of the insert disk to secure the band to the disk, which provides a resistance to initial unscrewing of the band. The disengagement torque required to disengage the curl from the fins may enable the closure to function as a one-piece closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Galen German, James L. Martin
  • Patent number: 6662958
    Abstract: A composite closure includes a band and an insert disk. A contact surface urges downwardly against the disk even while the band moves longitudinally relative to the disk or container. The closure has a fully tightened position in which the band's ring contacts the disk's annular channel, a loose position in which the ring is spaced apart from the annular channel, and an intermediate tightened position in which the ring is spaced apart from the disk and in which the contact surface urges against the curl. A retaining feature, which presses upwardly against the disk during the opening process, defines a gap in which the disk curl is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Galen German, James L. Martin
  • Publication number: 20030141271
    Abstract: A composite closure includes a band and an insert disk. A contact surface urges downwardly against the disk even while the band moves longitudinally relative to the disk or container. The closure has a fully tightened position in which the band's ring contacts the disk's annular channel, a loose position in which the ring is spaced apart from the annular channel, and an intermediate tightened position in which the ring is spaced apart from the disk and in which the contact surface urges against the curl. A retaining feature, which presses upwardly against the disk during the opening process, defines a gap in which the disk curl is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Galen German, James L. Martin
  • Publication number: 20030127419
    Abstract: A composite closure type container assembly that is designed for use with unthreaded containers includes a container having an unthreaded outer surface and an opening that is defined by an upper rim, a sealing disc that is sized and shaped to cover the opening and to seal against the upper rim and a securement member that is removably anchored to the container for securing the sealing disc on the container. In one embodiment, the securement member is removably anchored to the container by using a tight frictional engagement. In a second embodiment, the anchoring is accomplished by shaping the container so as to have a downwardly depending skirt that engages and retains the securement member in position until the container assembly is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Emanuel Shenkar, James L. Martin, Galen German, Min Miles Wan, Chris Ramsey
  • Patent number: 6276543
    Abstract: A composite closure for a container has an outer band with a partial toroidal hook that overhangs a crown around the periphery of an insert cover disk. As the closure is tightened on the container, the hook bears downwardly on the crown of the disk and urges the disk against the container rim. The hook has several vents formed on its underside to enable air communication. A lower, inner edge of the hook is spaced apart from the disk to provide communication with the vents from the environment. An annular recess is formed on the underside of the hook, and is in communication with the vents and with a gap formed between an outboard wall of the crown and an inboard sidewall of the hook. A retaining bead is formed on a skirt below the hook to retain the disk. The bead is spaced apart from the disk when the closure is assembly to a container to enable communication from the environment through the vents to the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Galen German, Tom Vandewalle, Min Miles Wan
  • Patent number: D518717
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Galen German
  • Patent number: D534802
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies
    Inventor: Galen German