Patents by Inventor Robert E. Dick

Robert E. Dick 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: 10464707
    Abstract: A shaped metal container comprising less metal than prior art shaped metal containers while still able to handle sufficient axial load and undergo shaping processes, including necking, without wrinkling, buckling, collapsing or other physical defect is disclosed. Processes for shaping a metal container having a sidewall of variable thickness, wherein a portion of the sidewall having a variable thickness is shaped using a die or dies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers
  • Patent number: 10446817
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to energy storage devices having: a sealed container configured to house a plurality of energy storage devices and enable electrical communication via terminals of the sealed container and a vent located on a periphery of the sealed container. The vent generally comprises a vent panel; a countersink located adjacent the vent panel; at least one score located in the countersink; a buckling initiator at least partially located on the countersink, where the buckling initiator is configured to intersect with the at least one score; and a hinge portion attached to the vent panel, where the hinge portion is positioned opposite the buckling initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Jarvis, Robert E. Dick, Hasso Weiland, Joseph M. Fridy, David J. McNeish, John W. Cobes, Rabindra K. Bhattacharyya, John M. Krish, David M. Ference, Brock Watters, Gregory Catrambone
  • Publication number: 20190001390
    Abstract: Generally, the instant disclosure is directed towards various methods of EMF-forming workpieces and the resulting workpieces. More specifically, the instant disclosure is directed towards various embodiments of imparting EMF-features onto workpieces, where workpieces with resulting EMF-features are configured as metal containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Jeremy N. Pepper, Barry E. Soxman, Anthony J. Fedusa
  • Publication number: 20170341128
    Abstract: A shaped metal container comprising less metal than prior art shaped metal containers while still able to handle sufficient axial load and undergo shaping processes, including necking, without wrinkling, buckling, collapsing or other physical defect is disclosed. Processes for shaping a metal container having a sidewall of variable thickness, wherein a portion of the sidewall having a variable thickness is shaped using a die or dies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers
  • Patent number: 9707615
    Abstract: A shaped metal container having less metal than prior art shaped metal containers while still able to handle sufficient axial load and undergo shaping processes, including necking, without wrinkling, buckling, collapsing or other physical defect is disclosed. Processes for shaping a metal container having a sidewall of variable thickness, wherein a portion of the sidewall having a variable thickness is shaped using a die or dies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers
  • Patent number: 9700929
    Abstract: A method of forming a metal container comprises: curling outward a top edge of the metal container to form a curl and expanding a diameter of a first section of the metal container to form a first expanded section; wherein at least part of the first expanded section is below the curl. In some embodiments, the steps of curling outward a top edge of the metal container to form a curl and expanding a diameter of a first section of the metal container to form a first expanded section are performed in a single stroke of a single die. In some embodiments, the step of expanding a diameter of a first section of the metal container to form an expanded section is performed after the step of curling outward a top edge of the metal container to form a curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Alcoa USA Corp.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers, Gary L. Hunker, Robert E. Dick
  • Publication number: 20170170439
    Abstract: The present application provides for various embodiments of energy storage devices and various methods of utilizing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Glenn W. Jarvis, Robert E. Dick, Hasso Weiland, Joseph M. Fridy, David J. McNeish, John W. Cobes, Rabindra K. Bhattacharyya, John M. Krish, David M. Ference, Brock Watters, Gregory Catrambone
  • Patent number: 9327338
    Abstract: A knockout has a support surface and the support surface has: (i) a first knockout outer diameter capable of supporting the first inner diameter of a container side wall when the knockout is inserted into an opening of the metal container and when the metal container is being necked with a necking die; and (ii) a second knockout outer diameter capable of supporting the second inner diameter of the container side wall when the knockout is inserted into the opening of the metal container and when the metal container is being necked with the necking die, and wherein the first knockout outer diameter is larger than the second knockout outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Darl G. Boysel, Robert E. Dick, Gary L. Myers, David J. McNeish
  • Publication number: 20150314361
    Abstract: An aluminum sheet comprises a 3XXX or a 5xxx alloy having a tensile yield strength as measured in the longitudinal direction of 27-33 ksi and an ultimate tensile strength; wherein the ultimate tensile strength minus the tensile yield strength is less than 3.30 ksi (UTS?TYS<3.30 ksi). An aluminum container has a dome, wherein the dome comprises a AA 3XXX or a 5xxx having a tensile yield strength as measured in the longitudinal direction of 27-33 ksi and an ultimate tensile strength; wherein the ultimate tensile strength minus the tensile yield strength is less than 3.30 ksi (UTS?TYS<3.30 ksi).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas N. Rouns, David J. McNeish, Darl G. Boysel, Guy P. Wilson, Greg Mrozinski, Jean F. Capps, Neesha A. Ghadiali, Samuel Combs, Christopher R. Miller, Robert E. Dick
  • Publication number: 20140174144
    Abstract: A knockout has a support surface and the support surface has: (i) a first knockout outer diameter capable of supporting the first inner diameter of a container side wall when the knockout is inserted into an opening of the metal container and when the metal container is being necked with a necking die; and (ii) a second knockout outer diameter capable of supporting the second inner diameter of the container side wall when the knockout is inserted into the opening of the metal container and when the metal container is being necked with the necking die, and wherein the first knockout outer diameter is larger than the second knockout outer diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Darl G. Boysel, Robert E. Dick, Gary L. Myers, David J. McNeish
  • Publication number: 20130301273
    Abstract: A device for thermal management of an electronic component includes an inner shell dimensioned to house an electrical circuit and a thermally conductive metal outer shell. The metal outer shell has a thickness less than 6.3246 mm; a first closed end having a first diameter and dimensioned to support an electronic component operably connected to the electrical circuit; and a second end having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The inner shell is at least partially within the outer shell. The outer shell is comprised of a single metal sheet. The thinnest portion of the outer metal shell is less than or equal to 0.75 times the thickest portion of the outer metal shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Edmund Chu, Kelly Whitaker-Weiler, J.R. Bushik, Jeffrey Shoup, Narsimhan Raghunathan, Luis Fanor Vega, Jason Bely, Gary L. Myers, Gary L. Hunker, Barry E. Soxman, Anthony J. Fedusa, Robert E. Dick, Darl G. Boysel, Eileen M. Kenzevich
  • Publication number: 20130291612
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a die for shaping metal containers comprises providing an expansion die for manufacturing metal containers and peening at least a portion of the work surface of the expansion die. Another method of manufacturing a die for shaping metal containers comprises providing a die for narrowing a diameter of metal containers and peening at least a portion of the work surface of the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers
  • Patent number: 8555692
    Abstract: The present invention provides an expansion die for manufacturing containers including a work surface including a progressively expanding portion and a land portion; and an undercut portion positioned following the land portion of the work surface. The present invention further provides a process for manufacturing shaped containers including providing a container stock having a first diameter; expanding at least a portion of the container stock to a second diameter with at least one expansion die; and forming an end of the container stock to accept a container lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Anthony Fedusa, Robert E. Dick
  • Publication number: 20120312066
    Abstract: A method of forming a metal container comprises: narrowing a first top section of the container in at least one narrowing step, wherein after narrowing the first top section, the first top section has a first top section minimum outer diameter; and narrowing a second section of the metal container after narrowing the first top section, wherein after narrowing the second section, the second section has a second section minimum outer diameter; wherein the second section is below the first top section minimum outer diameter and wherein the second section minimum outer diameter is larger than the first top section minimum outer diameter. In some embodiments, the second section is below the first top section minimum outer diameter. In some embodiments, the second section of the metal container is necked with a necking die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Anthony J. Fedusa, Robert E. Dick, Gary L. Hunker
  • Patent number: 8322183
    Abstract: The present invention provides a necking system including a plurality of necking dies each necking dies having an at least partially non-polished necking surface and a non-polished relief following the necking surface. The present invention further provides a method of necking a metal container including providing a metal blank; shaping the blank into a bottle stock; and necking the metal bottle stock, wherein necking includes at least one necking die having an at least partially non-polished necking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Anthony Fedusa, Robert E. Dick
  • Patent number: 8132687
    Abstract: A double-walled container and method of manufacturing are disclosed. A first container having a smaller diameter than a second container is inserted into the second container. A portion of the first container is expanded and/or a portion of the second container may be narrowed so that first and second container is interlocked and form a double-walled container. The first and/or second containers may have ribs. An air gap between the first and second containers provides thermal insulation to contents of the double-walled container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Fedusa, Robert E. Dick, Darl G. Boysel
  • Publication number: 20120043294
    Abstract: A shaped metal container comprising less metal than prior art shaped metal containers while still able to handle sufficient axial load and undergo shaping processes, including necking, without wrinkling, buckling, collapsing or other physical defect is disclosed. Processes for shaping a metal container having a sidewall of variable thickness, wherein a portion of the sidewall having a variable thickness is shaped using a die or dies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Anthony J. Fedusa, Gary L. Myers
  • Patent number: D644126
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Anthony J. Fedusa
  • Cup
    Patent number: D647371
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Anthony J. Fedusa, Robert E. Dick, Eileen Kenzevich, Cynthia Eggers
  • Cup
    Patent number: D648178
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Dick, Anthony J. Fedusa