Patents by Inventor Joseph Smelko

Joseph Smelko 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: 9815589
    Abstract: A tabbed seal as well as a method of manufacture is provided for sealing containers such as bottles, jars and the like. The tabbed seal is formed with a lower sheet-like structure having a non-foam, heat-distributing layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Selig Sealing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert William Thorstensen-Woll, Joseph Smelko
  • Patent number: 9624008
    Abstract: A holographic sealing member for a container comprises a heat actuated sealant or adhesive layer that secures the sealing member to a container, a metal foil sealing layer over and covering and adhesively bonded to the heat actuated sealant or adhesive layer, a holographic layer over and covering and adhesively bonding to the metal foil layer having an upper plastic layer and a lower embossed image layer, and a tab over and covering and adhesively bonded to the upper plastic layer that may be pulled to remove the tab and the plastic layer from a container, thereby exposing the lower embossed image layer which must then be perforated to gain access to the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SELIG SEALING PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert William Thorstensen-Woll, Joseph Smelko
  • Publication number: 20160185485
    Abstract: A tabbed seal as well as a method of manufacture is provided for sealing containers such as bottles, jars and the like. The tabbed seal is formed with a lower sheet-like structure having a non-foam, heat-distributing layer thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Robert William Thorstensen-Woll, Joseph Smelko
  • Patent number: 9102438
    Abstract: A tabbed seal as well as a method of manufacture is provided for sealing containers such as bottles, jars and the like. The tabbed seal is formed with a lower sheet-like structure having a non-foam, heat-distributing layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SELIG SEALING PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert William Thorstensen-Woll, Joseph Smelko
  • Publication number: 20140224800
    Abstract: A holographic sealing member for a container comprises a heat actuated sealant or adhesive layer that secures the sealing member to a container, a metal foil sealing layer over and covering and adhesively bonded to the heat actuated sealant or adhesive layer, a holographic layer over and covering and adhesively bonding to the metal foil layer having an upper plastic layer and a lower embossed image layer, and a tab over and covering and adhesively bonded to the upper plastic layer that may be pulled to remove the tab and the plastic layer from a container, thereby exposing the lower embossed image layer which must then be perforated to gain access to the contents of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Robert William Thorstensen-Woll, Joseph Smelko
  • Publication number: 20140209608
    Abstract: A tabbed seal as well as a method of manufacture is provided for sealing containers such as bottles, jars and the like. The tabbed seal is formed with a lower sheet-like structure having a non-foam, heat-distributing layer thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Robert William Thorstensen-Woll, Joseph Smelko
  • Patent number: 8703265
    Abstract: A holographic sealing member for a container including a heat actuated sealant or adhesive layer that secures the sealing member to a container. The sealing member also includes a metal foil sealing layer over and covering and bonded to the heat actuated sealant or adhesive layer, a holographic layer over and covering and bonded to the metal foil layer having an upper plastic layer and a lower embossed image layer, and a tab over and covering and bonded to the upper plastic layer. The tab may be pulled to remove the tab and the plastic layer from a container, thereby exposing the lower embossed image layer which may then be perforated to gain access to the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Selig Sealing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert William Thorstensen-Woll, Joseph Smelko
  • Patent number: 8057896
    Abstract: A seal and method of manufacture is provided for sealing containers such as bottles, jars and the like. The seal (i.e., closure) is formed with a lower sheet-like structure having a non-foam, heat-distributing layer thereon. The lower structure includes a foil support layer and has a polymer layer, such as a PET layer disposed on its bottom surface. A heat-activated sealant layer is provided under the bottom surface of the PET layer to bond the seal to a container opening. The non-foam, heat-distributing layer is preferably a polyolefin film. Seals in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention also include a top portion, which is only partially bonded (directly or indirectly) to the bottom portion, so as to leave a tab portion extending from the seal. The top portion is advantageously bonded from periphery to periphery of the bottom portion and at or slightly offset from the diameter (middle) of the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Selig Sealing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Smelko, Robert William Thorstensen-Woll
  • Publication number: 20080233424
    Abstract: A holographic sealing member for a container comprises a heat actuated sealant or adhesive layer that secures the sealing member to a container, a metal foil sealing layer over and covering and adhesively bonded to the heat actuated sealant or adhesive layer, a holographic layer over and covering and adhesively bonding to the metal foil layer having an upper plastic layer and a lower embossed image layer, and a tab over and covering and adhesively bonded to the upper plastic layer that may be pulled to remove the tab and the plastic layer from a container, thereby exposing the lower embossed image layer which must then be perforated to gain access to the contents of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Robert William THORSTENSEN-WOLL, Joseph Smelko
  • Publication number: 20060151415
    Abstract: A seal and method of manufacture is provided for sealing containers such as bottles, jars and the like. The seal (i.e., closure) is formed with a lower sheet-like structure having a non-foam, heat-distributing layer thereon. The lower structure includes a foil support layer and has a polymer layer, such as a PET layer disposed on its bottom surface. A heat-activated sealant layer is provided under the bottom surface of the PET layer to bond the seal to a container opening. The non-foam, heat-distributing layer is preferably a polyolefin film. Seals in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention also include a top portion, which is only partially bonded (directly or indirectly) to the bottom portion, so as to leave a tab portion extending from the seal. The top portion is advantageously bonded from periphery to periphery of the bottom portion and at or slightly offset from the diameter (middle) of the bottom portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Smelko, Robert Thorstensen-Woll
  • Publication number: 20050208242
    Abstract: Method of manufacture of a vessel closing assembly for adhesion into a screw cap in which a liner laminate comprising a substrate layer and a layer of stiff film on at least one side of the substrate layer, having an attachment surface for attachment to the seal laminate, is attached to a seal laminate comprising induction heat sealable layers for sealing at one side to a container and comprises at least one stiff film layer and an attachment surface at the other side whereby the attachment surface of the seal laminate faces the side of the liner laminate formed by the stiff film, the joining involving the steps of: providing a release surface on one of the attachment surfaces; applying a pressure sensitive adhesive composition, from a liquid composition to one of the attachment surfaces and drying the composition to leave an adhesive coating; and contacting the attachment surfaces to adhere the liner laminate to the seal laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Smelko, Robert Thorstensen-Woll
  • Patent number: 6902075
    Abstract: A one-component seal and wadding system (1) for a screw-cap includes a seal (3) having lower layers (4,5) forming an induction heating sealable system for attaching the seal (3) to the neck of a container, a seal substrate (6) including a free tab (50) lying wholly within the circumference of the seal, a layer of liner (2), and an attachment element (10,11,12) including a release layer (11) for attaching the seal substrate (7) including the tab (50) to the wadding (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David John O'Brien, Victor Sachs, Joseph Smelko, Robert William Thorstensen-Woll
  • Publication number: 20030196418
    Abstract: A one-component seal and wadding system (1) for a screw-cap includes a seal (3) having lower layers (4,5) forming an induction heating sealable system for attaching the seal (3) to the neck of a container, a seal substrate (6) including a free tab (50) lying wholly within the circumference of the seal, a layer of liner (2), and attachment means (10,11,12) including a release layer (11) for attaching the seal substrate (7) including the tab (50) to the wadding (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: David John O'Brien, Victor Sachs, Joseph Smelko, Robert william Thorstensen-Woll
  • Patent number: 6131754
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a two-piece induction seal for use in creating clean, safe, and secure inner seals on containers, comprising layers of synthetic foam, absorbing synthetic polymer, an induction membrane and a heat-sensitive seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Smelko
  • Patent number: 5975304
    Abstract: Provided are a container comprising a tabbed sealing unit, blister pack containers comprising such sealing units, and methods of making such sealing units and containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Unipac Corporation
    Inventors: R. Michael Cain, Joseph Smelko