Patents by Inventor Keith R. Rea

Keith R. Rea 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: 6725630
    Abstract: A method for induction sealing a plastic part to a composite container using a pair of linear coils electrically connected to low frequency generators. The linear coils produce overlapping electromagnetic fields on either side of the container. Rotating the container assures even heating of the polyethylene liner and plastic part. The method produces a reliable seal between the liner and plastic part and can be used at high production speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, Charles M. Braddock, Floyd Boatwright, J. Mark Morrow, James A. Lowry
  • Publication number: 20030089079
    Abstract: A method for induction sealing a plastic part to a composite container using a pair of linear coils electrically connected to low frequency generators. The linear coils produce overlapping electromagnetic fields on either side of the container. Rotating the container assures even heating of the polyethylene liner and plastic part. The method produces a reliable seal between the liner and plastic part and can be used at high production speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, Charles M. Braddock, Floyd Boatwright, J. Mark Morrow, James A. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6477956
    Abstract: An improved ink cartridge of the type used to dispense ink in automatic lithographic presses. The ink cartridge comprises a hollow cylindrical body for holding a supply of extrudable ink, a plunger and a dispensing fitment. The improvement comprises a valve member mounted over a central aperture in the dispensing fitment and a flexible molded plastic spring that biases the valve member in the closed position. The valve member opens when subjected to pressure from the ink and closes automatically and completely when the ink pressure is less than the biasing force of the flexible spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, James F. Kick
  • Patent number: 6419351
    Abstract: An improved plunger for a lithographic printing ink cartridge prevents air entrapment between the plunger and the ink when the plunger is pressed into the ink during cartridge assembly. The plunger bottom portion has a positive radius and a textured surface that facilitates the flow of air away from the center of the plunger toward the cartridge sidewall as the plunger is pressed into the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca A. Lawson, James W. Lowry, Keith R. Rea
  • Patent number: 6334391
    Abstract: An improved ink cartridge dispensing valve system for use with a printing press ink cartridge is provided. The valve system works on the same principle as a ball valve to automatically dispense ink when subjected to pressure. The valve system includes an attachment post and an attachable nozzle. The attachment post is an integral part of the dispensing end of the ink cartridge and is recessed so that the cartridge can be easily shipped without damaging the attachment post. The attachable nozzle fits over the attachment post and opens or closes depending on whether pressure is placed on it by the ink in the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, Patrick B. Keese
  • Patent number: 6192797
    Abstract: An improved cartridge for dispensing highly viscous fluids in which the nozzle is recessed for ease of packaging, shipping and storing. The cartridge comprises a hollow cylindrical body, a plunger and a dispensing fitment. The cylindrical body holds a supply of extrudable fluid contents such as lithographic ink. The plunger serves as a pneumatically activated piston within the cylindrical body to extrude the contents of the cartridge. The nozzle has an open and a closed position. In the closed position the nozzle does not protrude beyond the top of the dispensing fitment. The dispenser may also include a detachable nozzle extension which, when attached to the nozzle, extends beyond the top of the fitment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, James W. Lowry, James F. Kick
  • Patent number: 5950913
    Abstract: A composite container for dough or other expandable product includes a hollow cylindrical body formed of composite material, a pair of end closures for sealing the open end of the container body, a separator disk disposed in the body and dividing the container into a first tubular portion for containing the product and a second tubular portion. A plurality of ingredient cups are stacked bottom-against-top in the second portion of the container body. Each cup is a cup-shaped member having a cylindrical tubular side wall, a bottom wall closing one end of the side wall, and an open end defined by an upper edge of the side wall. A membrane engages the upper edge to sealingly close the cup with an additional ingredient such as condiment, icing, spices, etc., therein. The bottom of one cup stacks on the upper edge of another cup so that the one cup is not supported by the membrane of the other cup. The separator disk engages an annular flange on the upper edge of the adjacent cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, Keith E. Antal
  • Patent number: 5932798
    Abstract: A device for leakage and pressure testing can bodies and can body-end closure combinations includes a can clamp assembly having an expandable resilient sealing ring over which an open end of a can body is slid. The can clamp assembly automatically draws the open end of the can body into a collar and then expands the resilient sealing ring outwardly to clamp and seal the can body in the assembly. Air is pumped into or drawn out of the can by an air passage formed through an actuating rod attached to the can clamp assembly for extending and retracting the sealing ring. For testing can bodies having no end closures, the device includes a second can clamp assembly which clamps and seals the other open end of the can body. A shaft attached to the second can clamp assembly is slidably and rotatably supported in an aperture of a support plate such that the can body is free to expand axially and to rotate about its axis during loading and testing of the can body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Rea, John Ellis Bacon