Patents by Inventor Gilbert P. Stengel, JR.

Gilbert P. Stengel, JR. 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: 11912460
    Abstract: A container includes an end wall having a rivet and a frangible score line that defines a curved tongue shaped panel. The frangible score line terminates at each end substantially on a radial line extending from a lever mounting hole formed within the curved tongue shaped panel. A tab is riveted to the lever-mounting hole to act as second-degree lever. The tab has a first actuating point extending toward the distal looping portion of the frangible score line. The tab has a fulcrum portion extending opposite to the first actuating point and terminating within the curved tongue shape. Lifting of the first actuating point pulls upward on the curved tongue shaped panel at the distal looping portion imparts a shear force of the frangible score line to initiate upward rolling of an extended portion of the curved tongue shaped panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventors: Gilbert P. Stengel, Jr., Tracey Martinez
  • Publication number: 20230382593
    Abstract: A pop top lid for cylindrical fluid containers is disclosed. The lid includes an end shell with a scored line defining a tear panel, a stay-on tab assembly, and a rivet for attaching the assembly to the shell. The stay-on tab assembly features a pocketed tang with a central portion containing a pivot hole for the rivet. The assembly includes a top cover and bottom plate, spaced apart by a gap on the leading edge. An aperture point is connected to the pocketed tang and can be rotated. A shearing edge is attached to the central portion and extends radially behind the aperture point. In an embodiment, the bottom plate is embossed to facilitate sliding of the shearing edge under the end shell wall when the pocketed tang is rotated, achieving a resealing clamp action by securely placing the embossed shape into the tear panel opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Gilbert P. Stengel, JR., Tracey Martinez
  • Patent number: 11787597
    Abstract: A pop top lid enables opening and closing of a top opening in a cylindrical fluid container such as a beverage can. an enclosing a top opening in a cylindrical fluid container. A pocketed tang of a stay-on tab assembly pivots about a central rivet on an end shell of the pop top lid. During lifting and rotation of the stay-on tab assembly, an aperture creation point begins to shear a scored line to remove a tear panel from an end shell of the beverage can. directing the tear panel between a top cover and a bottom plate of the pocketed tang. A flange of the bottom plate assists in removal of the tear panel by being directed into a panel opening left by the tear panel directing the tear panel into the tear panel capturing pocket when the stay-on-tab assembly is rotated in a first direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventors: Gilbert P. Stengel, Jr., Tracey Martinez
  • Publication number: 20220396394
    Abstract: A pop top lid enables opening and closing of a top opening in a cylindrical fluid container such as a beverage can. an enclosing a top opening in a cylindrical fluid container. A pocketed tang of a stay-on tab assembly pivots about a central rivet on an end shell of the pop top lid. During lifting and rotation of the stay-on tab assembly, an aperture creation point begins to shear a scored line to remove a tear panel from an end shell of the beverage can. directing the tear panel between a top cover and a bottom plate of the pocketed tang. A flange of the bottom plate assists in removal of the tear panel by being directed into a panel opening left by the tear panel directing the tear panel into the tear panel capturing pocket when the stay-on-tab assembly is rotated in a first direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Gilbert P. Stengel, JR., Tracey Martinez
  • Publication number: 20210053721
    Abstract: A container includes an end wall having a rivet and a frangible score line that defines a curved tongue shaped panel. The frangible score line terminates at each end substantially on a radial line extending from a lever mounting hole formed within the curved tongue shaped panel. A tab is riveted to the lever-mounting hole to act as second-degree lever. The tab has a first actuating point extending toward the distal looping portion of the frangible score line. The tab has a fulcrum portion extending opposite to the first actuating point and terminating within the curved tongue shape. Lifting of the first actuating point pulls upward on the curved tongue shaped panel at the distal looping portion imparts a shear force of the frangible score line to initiate upward rolling of an extended portion of the curved tongue shaped panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Gilbert P. Stengel, Jr., Tracey Martinez
  • Publication number: 20200270016
    Abstract: A pop top lid encloses a cylindrical fluid container. The pop top lid includes an end shell having an off-center scored line defining a tear panel; and a stay-on tab assembly riveted through a central portion to the end shell for rotation. An aperture point is attached to a central portion and rotatably positioned proximate to an inner edge of the scored line. A shearing edge is attached to the central portion and radially extending behind the aperture point. An actuator portion is attached to the central portion opposite to the aperture point, is liftable as a first-degree lever to form an aperture at the scored line with the aperture point, and is rotatable to insert the shearing edge into the aperture shearing the scored line to remove the tear panel from the end shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Gilbert P. Stengel, JR., Tracey Martinez
  • Patent number: 9457930
    Abstract: A flip-up pop-tab in which a partially detachable portion of a lid of a can is separated from the can and hinged away from the opening created in the lid is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: FGT TOP LLC
    Inventors: Gilbert P. Stengel, Jr., Francis C. Ganance, Tracey Schieman
  • Patent number: 8870012
    Abstract: The present invention is a flip-up pop-tab in which a partially detachable portion of a lid of a can is separated from the can and hinged away from the opening created in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Gilbert P. Stengel, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090090716
    Abstract: The present invention is a flip-up pop-tab in which a partially detachable portion of a lid of a can is separated from the can and hinged away from the opening created in the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Gilbert P. Stengel, JR.