Patents by Inventor Gene A. Herron

Gene A. Herron 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).

  • Release strip for tubular containers and methods and apparatus of applying same
    Patent number: 6196408
    Abstract: A release strip for tubular containers is provided and includes a tab portion. An elongate portion of the release strip is releasably adhered to an outer surface of the tubular body of the container with a first adhesive application. The tab portion extends laterally from the elongate portion and is separately releasably adhered to the tubular body with a second adhesive application to prevent the tab portion from being inadvertently snagged. In one preferred embodiment, the tab portion includes an opening therein having an advantageous shape including an arcuate section having at least a predetermined minimum radius of curvature and a substantially straight section opposite the arcuate section, thus allowing sufficient room for accommodating a consumer's finger while maintaining requisite ring strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Products Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Setty, William C. Suski, Eric P. Lubitz, Cossie J. McCorkle, Gene A. Herron, Richard M. Lowman
  • Pasteurizable container closure
    Patent number: 4813557
    Abstract: A closure for bottles is disclosed which includes an internal radius support disk or cylinder for positioning within the bottle mouth to enable the bottle to resist radial inward deformation when subjected to pasteurization or other post-bottling heat treatment. The closure can be formed by coining a conventional aluminum roll-on cap blank using a pressure block having a central land projectable into the mouth of the bottle to form the support disk or cylinder from the top of the cap blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Sewell Plastics Inc.
    Inventors: Gene A. Herron, Gerhard E. B. Nickel, Alfred C. Alberghini
  • Method of applying roll-on closures
    Patent number: 4628669
    Abstract: A closure for bottles is disclosed which includes an internal radius support disk or cylinder for positioning within the bottle mouth to enable the bottle to resist radial inward deformation when subjected to pasteurization or other post-bottling heat treatment. The closure can be formed by coining a conventional aluminum roll-on cap blank using a pressure block having a central land projectable into the mouth of the bottle to form the support disk or cylinder from the top of the cap blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Sewell Plastics Inc.
    Inventors: Gene A. Herron, Gerhard E. B. Nickel, Alfred C. Alberghini
  • Combined bottle and cap
    Patent number: D325521
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: First Brands Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Fischer, Michael A. Brown, Gene A. Herron, George W. Hann, II, Gregory S. Mostoller, Michael R. Zimmerman