Patents by Inventor Rodney A. Blue

Rodney A. Blue 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: 11278952
    Abstract: A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Jay Fowler, Rodney A. Blue
  • Publication number: 20200038938
    Abstract: A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Jay Fowler, Rodney A. Blue
  • Patent number: 10427204
    Abstract: A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Jay Fowler, Rodney A. Blue
  • Patent number: 10343208
    Abstract: A can bodymaker is provided. The can bodymaker includes two rams that travel over a generally vertical path. The bodymaker includes a housing assembly and an operating mechanism structured to move a number of ram assemblies over a vertical path of travel. The operating mechanism includes a crankshaft, a motor, a link assembly, and a number of ram assemblies. The crankshaft is rotatably coupled to the housing assembly and includes a number of pairs of crankpin journals. The motor is operatively coupled to said crankshaft. The link assembly includes a number of links. Each ram assembly includes an elongated ram body, each ram body structured to move over a ram path. Links from said link assembly extend between, and movably couple, each crankshaft crankpin journal to a ram body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Karl S. Fleischer, Rodney A. Blue, Tracy Jay Fowler
  • Publication number: 20160263643
    Abstract: A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Jay Fowler, Rodney A. Blue
  • Publication number: 20160214163
    Abstract: A can bodymaker is provided. The can bodymaker includes two rams that travel over a generally vertical path. The bodymaker includes a housing assembly and an operating mechanism structured to move a number of ram assemblies over a vertical path of travel. The operating mechanism includes a crankshaft, a motor, a link assembly, and a number of ram assemblies. The crankshaft is rotatably coupled to the housing assembly and includes a number of pairs of crankpin journals. The motor is operatively coupled to said crankshaft. The link assembly includes a number of links. Each ram assembly includes an elongated ram body, each ram body structured to move over a ram path. Links from said link assembly extend between, and movably couple, each crankshaft crankpin journal to a ram body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Karl S. Fleischer, Rodney A. Blue, Tracy Jay Fowler
  • Patent number: 9399248
    Abstract: A can bodymaker is provided. The can bodymaker includes two rams that travel over a generally vertical path. The bodymaker includes a housing assembly and an operating mechanism structured to move a number of ram assemblies over a vertical path of travel. The operating mechanism includes a crankshaft, a motor, a link assembly, and a number of ram assemblies. The crankshaft is rotatably coupled to the housing assembly and includes a number of pairs of crankpin journals. The motor is operatively coupled to said crankshaft. The link assembly includes a number of links. Each ram assembly includes an elongated ram body, each ram body structured to move over a ram path. Links from said link assembly extend between, and movably couple, each crankshaft crankpin journal to a ram body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Karl S. Fleischer, Rodney A. Blue, Tracy Jay Fowler
  • Patent number: 9387530
    Abstract: A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Jay Fowler, Rodney A. Blue
  • Publication number: 20140260500
    Abstract: A can bodymaker is provided. The can bodymaker includes two rams that travel over a generally vertical path. The bodymaker includes a housing assembly and an operating mechanism structured to move a number of ram assemblies over a vertical path of travel. The operating mechanism includes a crankshaft, a motor, a link assembly, and a number of ram assemblies. The crankshaft is rotatably coupled to the housing assembly and includes a number of pairs of crankpin journals. The motor is operatively coupled to said crankshaft. The link assembly includes a number of links. Each ram assembly includes an elongated ram body, each ram body structured to move over a ram path. Links from said link assembly extend between, and movably couple, each crankshaft crankpin journal to a ram body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Karl S. Fleischer, Rodney A. Blue, Tracy Jay Fowler
  • Publication number: 20140260499
    Abstract: A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Jay Fowler, Rodney A. Blue
  • Patent number: 6598451
    Abstract: A can forming tool pack includes internally cooled die modules. Each die module includes at least one die nib held in a case. Fluid cooling medium is supplied to multiple inlets provided circumferentially in each case, spaced symmetrically around the case. The cooling fluid is channeled from the inlets through clearances between an outer surface of the die nib and the case to cool the die nib. Outlets are spaced circumferentially around the case to return the cooling fluid to the medium supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sequa Can Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney Blue
  • Patent number: 6598450
    Abstract: An internally cooled punch disposed on the end of a ram in a can forming machine. Internal fluid cooling means in the ram avoids the need for externally applied cooling fluids. A plurality of parallel fluid transfer tubes is arranged annularly within the ram. Cooling medium flows through inlet tubes to radial inlet ports which supply the cooling medium to the inner surface of the punch where the medium flows rearwardly through a channel at the inner surface of the punch to radial outlet ports leading to outlet tubes through the ram. Discharged cooling media flows back along the ram and out through a manifold. The transfer tubes are arranged symmetrically in an alternating array circumferentially around the ram to reduce radial temperature gradients within the ram. A central port allows air flow through the ram to aid in stripping the formed container from the punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sequa Can Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney Blue
  • Publication number: 20030084699
    Abstract: An internally cooled punch disposed on the end of a ram in a can forming machine. Internal fluid cooling means in the ram avoids the need for externally applied cooling fluids. A plurality of parallel fluid transfer tubes is arranged annularly within the ram. Cooling medium flows through inlet tubes to radial inlet ports which supply the cooling medium to the inner surface of the punch where the medium flows rearwardly through a channel at the inner surface of the punch to radial outlet ports leading to outlet tubes through the ram. Discharged cooling media flows back along the ram and out through a manifold. The transfer tubes are arranged symmetrically in an alternating array circumferentially around the ram to reduce radial temperature gradients within the ram. A central port allows air flow through the ram to aid in stripping the formed container from the punch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Rodney Blue
  • Publication number: 20030084700
    Abstract: A can forming tool pack includes internally cooled die modules. Each die module includes at least one die nib held in a case. Fluid cooling medium is supplied to multiple inlets provided circumferentially in each case, spaced symmetrically around the case. The cooling fluid is channeled from the inlets through clearances between an outer surface of the die nib and the case to cool the die nib. Outlets are spaced circumferentially around the case to return the cooling fluid to the medium supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Rodney Blue
  • Patent number: 5208435
    Abstract: A ram that is utilized in high speed apparatus for forming elongated one piece metal can bodies from shallow cups is constructed as a weldment in which there is an elongated relatively thin-walled tube, a tail piece metallurgically bonded to one end of the tube and a nose piece metallurgically bonded to the other end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Sequa Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph Main, Rodney Blue