Patents by Inventor Robert E. Heffner

Robert E. Heffner 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: 4685849
    Abstract: A closure for closing the open end of a container having contents therein which dissociate a gas therefrom. The closure is adapted to provide an opening for access to the contents. The opening is adapted for a snap assembly with a plastic cap to effect a substantially gas-tight seal of the opening under high pressures to enable resealing of the container after dispensing a portion of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert L. LaBarge, Robert E. Heffner
  • Patent number: 4648528
    Abstract: A closure for closing the open end of a container having contents therein which dissociate a gas therefrom. The closure is adapted to provide an opening for access to the contents. The opening is adapted for a snap assembly with a plastic cap to effect a substantially gas-tight seal of the opening under high pressures to enable resealing of the container after dispensing a portion of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert L. LaBarge, Robert E. Heffner
  • Patent number: 4580692
    Abstract: A snap-type cap for sealing against escape of gases through an opening in an end closure of a container having contents therein which dissociate a gas therefrom. The cap includes a seal portion to engage with a sealing lip around the opening in the container end to provide an initial low pressure seal and a second high pressure seal as progressively higher pressures within the container exceed the sealing limit of the initial low pressure seal. The cap may further include an opening portion adapted for contacting an opening panel in the container end and effecting an opening in the container by applying pressure against the opening panel through the opening portion. An improved easy open container end having a smooth sealing lip for cooperating with the cap for resealing and a method of making such an end are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert L. La Barge, Robert E. Heffner
  • Patent number: 4544475
    Abstract: An electrocoating apparatus for electrocoating a plurality of metal containers through coordinated cycling of a plurality of electrocoating cells, preferably in unison, through the requisite electrocoating operating cycle and including transfer means for moving the metal container to and from the respective electrocoating cells on a pass line through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert E. Heffner, John J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 4400251
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for electrocoating the interior and exterior of a metal container using a dual flow system. The interior and exterior surfaces of the metal container may be coated with the same or different coating weights. An electrically conductive probe, including a nozzle, is inserted into a metal container and an electrically conductive housing is enclosed around the container to seal the container therein. Two separate passageways are provided such that one passageway supplies coating material about the container between the container exterior and the outer housing and a second passageway is formed by the hollow probe and the interior of the container. Electrocoating material is caused to flow into each of the passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert E. Heffner, John J. Davidson
  • Patent number: 3957005
    Abstract: A metal can end and method for making the same wherein the can end includes a body portion of substantially uniform metal thickness and a peripheral flange of reduced metal thickness to minimize the weight and quantity of material required for the can end. The can end is formed from relatively thin sheet material, such as aluminum sheet or the like, by punching or shearing a blank or disc from the sheet and forming the disc into a cup which is subjected to an ironing operation to reduce the thickness of the peripheral portion thereof and increase its projecting length. The ironed cup is then subjected to mechanical pressing, or magnetic discharge forming, to shape the peripheral portion into a curvilinear flange which is adapted to be double seamed to the can body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Robert E. Heffner