Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Merle

Joseph J. Merle 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: 4346667
    Abstract: This relates to a powder applicator for applying a coating stripe in powder form to inside seams of can bodies. The powder applicator is particularly adapted to be utilized in conjunction with welding apparatus for welding the side seams of can bodies and wherein the diameters of the can bodies are too small to permit the provision of the customary excess powder return duct. The powder applicator is located at the 12:00 o'clock position and thus the excess powder will not merely fall out of the applicator. Accordingly, there is provided a channel defined by a porous block having air or gas circulated therethrough and wherein the terminal end of the channel is closed by a deflector block which will deflect any excess powder out of the applicator into an overlying hood which is primarily intended to take away powder overspray which normally occurs between adjacent, but spaced, can bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: The Continental Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Stamets, Robert A. Winkless, Rafael J. Hernandez, Joseph J. Merle, Robert D. Payne
  • Patent number: 4232622
    Abstract: A closure for a container wherein a tape having a metal part and thermoplastic material which is applied to the container wall and heated. Most of the material is squeezed out from between the metal part and the wall into a rib which is formed during application. The material in the rib has an isotropic structural characteristic since the rib formation provides a region into which the excess material is directed minimizing the shearing effect of the flow of material along the interface with the container wall. Also the rib reinforces the tape in the critical region to resist pressure of gasses in the container when used to contain carbonated beverages. This patent covers a method of making the above described closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: The Continental Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Weierman, Joseph J. Merle, Gerald A. Gordon, Peter N. Y. Pan, Rafael J. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 4215648
    Abstract: A powder applicator for applying powder to form a side stripe to the interior of can bodies along side seams thereof. The powder applicator includes a device for providing a layering effect on the gas entrained powder so that although the powder is normally carried by the gaseous stream it is directed into an orifice of a nozzle as a dense stream with the carrier gas forming a separate layer. In addition, the applicator forms a seal with the interior of the can body to define a limited sealed area within which the powder may pass. This sealed area contains corona charging pins which are arranged in a longitudinal line so that a maximum charging of the powder may be effected. Also, a diffused gas is directed into the sealed area to prevent the powder from clinging to the side walls of the sealed area and the charging pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: The Continental Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley L. Stamets, Robert A. Winkless, Rafael J. Hernandez, Joseph J. Merle, Robert D. Payne
  • Patent number: 4170314
    Abstract: A closure for a container wherein a tape having a metal part and thermoplastic material which is applied to the container wall and heated. Most of the material is squeezed out from between the metal part and the wall into a rib which is formed during application. The material in the rib has an isotropic structural characteristic since the rib formation provides a region into which the excess material is directed minimizing the shearing effect of the flow of material along the interface with the container wall. Also the rib reinforces the tape in the critical region to resist pressure of gasses in the container when used to contain carbonated beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Assignee: The Continental Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Weierman, Joseph J. Merle, Gerald A. Gordon, Peter N. Y. Pan, Rafael J. Hernandez