Patents by Inventor Michael E. Easley

Michael E. Easley 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).

  • Graphite guide rings
    Patent number: 5769920
    Abstract: A guide-ring comprises a graphite body and a mechanically attached insert, preferable made of metal. The insert and body form a guide ring supporting a split neck-ring used during glass container manufacturing. The graphite body avoids the need for separate lubrication while being sufficiently strong enough to enable mechanical attachment of the insert. The combination provides the structural integrity needed to resist damage during glass container manufacturing operations and the thermal properties needed to contact hot glass gobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: James E. Sweetland, Thomas M. Smith, David H. Dodson, Timothy A. Stover, Michael E. Easley
  • Adjustable hot glass transfer device
    Patent number: 5741343
    Abstract: Repositionable stacker bar pads composed of a relatively high-strength nonmetallic material have tongue-in-groove adjoining surfaces and glass-contact surfaces which are roughsned or serrated. The high strength material and overlapping tongue-in-groove "footprint" allows rigid and reliable attachment to a metal support structure. The rough finish of the glass-contact surface minimizes thermal checking and other hot-glass article problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Patrick H. Lloyd, Jeff R. Long, Timothy A. Stover, Steven Richard Hubbard, Michael E. Easley