Patents by Inventor Robert M. Rayburn

Robert M. Rayburn 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).

  • End closure with large opening ring pull tab
    Patent number: 10632520
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure comprises a central panel with a large opening defined by a score line and a safety fold positioned proximate at least a portion of said score line. The end closure further comprises a ring pull tab operably interconnected to the central panel proximate to a peripheral edge of the central panel. Prior to opening the end closure, a tail end of the ring pull tab is positioned over the tear panel. In some embodiments, the tear panel may completely detach from the end closure upon opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Rayburn
  • END CLOSURE WITH LARGE OPENING RING PULL TAB
    Publication number: 20180126442
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure comprises a central panel with a large opening defined by a score line and a safety fold positioned proximate at least a portion of said score line. The end closure further comprises a ring pull tab operably interconnected to the central panel proximate to a peripheral edge of the central panel. Prior to opening the end closure, a tail end of the ring pull tab is positioned over the tear panel. In some embodiments, the tear panel may completely detach from the end closure upon opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Robert M. Rayburn
  • End closure with large opening ring pull tab
    Patent number: 9901972
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure comprises a central panel with a large opening defined by a score line. The end closure further comprises a ring pull tab operably interconnected to the central panel proximate to a peripheral edge of the central panel. Prior to opening the end closure, a tail end of the ring pull tab is positioned over the tear panel. In some embodiments, the tear panel may completely detach from the end closure upon opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Rayburn
  • End closure with tab guidance features
    Patent number: 9248936
    Abstract: An improved end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure contains a raised bead portion for guiding and directing the opening or lifting motion of a tab portion attached to the end closure. More efficient opening features are enabled by the guided action of the tab and raised bead features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Rayburn, Kenneth D. Anderson
  • END CLOSURE WITH LARGE OPENING RING PULL TAB
    Publication number: 20150251803
    Abstract: An end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure comprises a central panel with a large opening defined by a score line. The end closure further comprises a ring pull tab operably interconnected to the central panel proximate to a peripheral edge of the central panel. Prior to opening the end closure, a tail end of the ring pull tab is positioned over the tear panel. In some embodiments, the tear panel may completely detach from the end closure upon opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: BALL CORPORATION
    Inventor: ROBERT M. RAYBURN
  • END CLOSURE WITH TAB GUIDANCE FEATURES
    Publication number: 20140263328
    Abstract: An improved end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure contains a raised bead portion for guiding and directing the opening or lifting motion of a tab portion attached to the end closure. More efficient opening features are enabled by the guided action of the tab and raised bead features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Ball Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Rayburn, Kenneth D. Anderson
  • Beverage can end with reduced countersink
    Publication number: 20020139805
    Abstract: The present invention describes an improved beverage can end which utilizes less material and has an improved internal buckle strength based on the geometric configuration of the chuck wall, inner panel wall, central panel and reduced depth between the countersink and crown of a circular end wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Howard C. Chasteen, Robert M. Rayburn, Dana H. Scott