Patents by Inventor William A. Kirk

William A. Kirk 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).

  • Publication number: 20130243549
    Abstract: Methods for producing a can end having a moveable portion disposed beneath a tab are disclosed. In one embodiment, a can end having a center panel may be formed. A moveable portion may be formed in the center panel. The moveable portion may be in a downward position after it is formed. The can end may then be restrained such that a portion of the center panel that is adjacent to the moveable portion is unrestrained. While the can end is restrained, the moveable portion may be moved into an upward position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Crown Packaging Technology, INc.
    Inventors: ALEJANDRO SAUCEDO, WILLIAM A. KIRK, HENRY S. CHORZEMPA, DANNY L. FUNDOM
  • Patent number: 8454292
    Abstract: Methods for producing a can end having a moveable portion disposed beneath a tab are disclosed. In one embodiment, a can end having a center panel may be formed. A moveable portion may be formed in the center panel. The moveable portion may be in a downward position after it is formed. The can end may then be restrained such that a portion of the center panel that is adjacent to the moveable portion is unrestrained. While the can end is restrained, the moveable portion may be moved into an upward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro Saucedo, William A. Kirk, Henry S. Chorzempa, Danny L. Fundom
  • Publication number: 20100287886
    Abstract: Methods for producing a can end having a moveable portion disposed beneath a tab are disclosed. In one embodiment, a can end having a center panel may be formed. A moveable portion may be formed in the center panel. The moveable portion may be in a downward position after it is formed. The can end may then be restrained such that a portion of the center panel that is adjacent to the moveable portion is unrestrained. While the can end is restrained, the moveable portion may be moved into an upward position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: CROWN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alejandro Saucedo, William A. Kirk, Henry S. Chorzempa, Danny L. Fundom
  • Patent number: 7344041
    Abstract: A container assembly for packaging nonliquid material includes a can body that may be filled with nonliquid material and an end panel that is secured to the can body, preferably by seaming. A score line that is formed in the end panel defines a first removable portion and a second nonremovable portion. Structure such as a tab is provided for initiating separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion at a first location along the score line that defines an axis of symmetry about which separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion during opening will progress substantially symmetrically. The score line is shaped so that the second nonremovable portion defines a spoon leveling shelf that is shaped and sized to permit a consumer to level a spoonful of nonliquid material. Moreover, at least one exposed edge of the spoon leveling shelf is afforded cut protection by a safety fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Crown, Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 7225944
    Abstract: A container assembly for packaging nonliquid material includes a can body that may be filled with nonliquid material and an end panel that is secured to the can body, preferably by seaming. A score line that is formed in the end panel defines a first removable portion and a second nonremovable portion. Structure such as a tab is provided for initiating separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion at a first location along the score line that defines an axis of symmetry about which separation of the first removable portion from the second nonremovable portion during opening will progress substantially symmetrically. The score line is shaped so that the second nonremovable portion defines a spoon leveling shelf that is shaped and sized to permit a consumer to level a spoonful of nonliquid material. Moreover, at least one exposed edge of the spoon leveling shelf is afforded cut protection by a safety fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 6702538
    Abstract: A method of forming a can end comprises the step of forming a substantially circular metal blank having a periphery and a center panel. An annular recessed panel is subsequently formed in the blank. The recessed panel has a first depth in relation to a substantially annular portion of the blank contiguously formed with the recessed panel. The substantially annular portion of the blank is then coined while the recessed panel is re-formed to a second depth in relation to the substantially annular portion of the blank. The second depth is greater than the first depth. Forming the can end in this manner minimizes warpage of the can end, and thereby allows the can end to be formed from a relatively thin sheet of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 6685417
    Abstract: An easy open safety end having a central portion and a rim portion separated by a score line. A tab applies a force to the end adjacent the score line so as to shear the score line at opening. A circumferentially extending fold is formed in either the central portion or the rim portion, or both, to protect the user from being cut by the sharp edge the results upon shearing the score line. A first circumferential portion of the fold is tight, whereas a second portion, which is preferably proximate the tab is loose. The fold is displaced below a portion of the end adjacent the score line by a circumferentially extending gap. In the tight portion of the fold, the width of the gap is less than the thickness of the end, and preferably less than one half the thickness, whereas in the loose portion of the fold, the width of the gap is greater than the thickness of the end, and is preferably at least twice the thickness of the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20020172578
    Abstract: An easy open safety end having a central portion and a rim portion separated by a score line. A tab applies a force to the end adjacent the score line so as to shear the score line at opening. A circumferentially extending fold is formed in either the central portion or the rim portion, or both, to protect the user from being cut by the sharp edge the results upon shearing the score line. A first circumferential portion of the fold is tight, whereas a second portion, which is preferably proximate the tab is loose. The fold is displaced below a portion of the end adjacent the score line by a circumferentially extending gap. In the tight portion of the fold, the width of the gap is less than the thickness of the end, and preferably less than one half the thickness, whereas in the loose portion of the fold, the width of the gap is greater than the thickness of the end, and is preferably at least twice the thickness of the end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies, Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 6401956
    Abstract: An easy open safety end having a central portion and a rim portion separated by a score line. A tab applies a force to the end adjacent the score line so as to shear the score line at opening. A circumferentially extending fold is formed in either the central portion or the rim portion, or both, to protect the user from being cut by the sharp edge the results upon shearing the score line. A first circumferential portion of the fold is tight, whereas a second portion, which is preferably proximate the tab is loose. The fold is displaced below a portion of the end adjacent the score line by a circumferentially extending gap. In the tight portion of the fold, the width of the gap is less than the thickness of the end, and preferably less than one half the thickness, whereas in the loose portion of the fold, the width of the gap is greater than the thickness of the end, and is preferably at least twice the thickness of the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Heinicke, William A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 6374657
    Abstract: A method of making a can body of the type that has at least one axially extending rib formed therein includes a first forming step of creating a preform having a sidewall that has at least one axially extending rib formed therein and a bottom that is coextensive with the sidewall and intersects the sidewall at a rim. This first forming step is performed so that at least a portion of the bottom is recessed by a predetermined depth with respect to the rim. The method further includes a second step of performing a second drawing operation on the preform to form a can body having a bump-up bottom. It is important that the predetermined depth be sufficient to prevent the axially extending rib to be drawn into said bump-up bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Kirk, Benjamin Derr
  • Patent number: 5931331
    Abstract: A can end having an improved pour-type ecology opening mechanism includes a conventional can end wall that contains a score line that defines a displaceable panel. The score line includes an initial design rupture point, a radiused portion having a first tangent point and a second tangent point, and a main portion that terminates at a final transition point. The can end further includes a tab having a liftable heel portion and a tab nose portion, with the tab nose portion being positioned to apply downward pressure to the panel at a pressure point on the displaceable panel when the heel portion is lifted. The tab has a center line that is coincident with a radius of said can end wall. Advantageously, the pressure point is positioned a distance, taken in the direction of the center line, from the second tangent point of the radiused portion that is selected to prevent a buildup of force that would otherwise hasten propagation of separation along the main portion of the score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Kirk, Michael C. Calhoun, David M. Hoffman, Jeffrey McFarland
  • Patent number: 4524879
    Abstract: A steel can end construction for a special liquid product to be protected against contamination in which a pouring opening is to be formed in the can end by pulling the can end metal area defined by an endless score line with a centrally located aluminum pull tab riveted to the steel can end to completely tear the metal within the score line from the can end. The tearing operation is performed by a person holding the can in one hand and with a finger or thumb engaged with the pull tab, pulling the pull tab upward and forward from the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Van Dorn Company
    Inventors: Danny L. Fundom, William A. Kirk
  • Patent number: 4386713
    Abstract: A substantially full opening steel can end for food product cans easily opened by an aluminum pull tab riveted to a removable panel portion defined by a score line in a recessed end wall of the can end located close to a seam between the can end and can body. The panel portion has a protective triple fold formation along its peripheral edge when removed, and the score line is located in the top layer of the triple fold formation beneath an overlying stepped tip of the pull tab which ruptures the score line during opening of the can. The score line preferably extends 300.degree., 150.degree. in each direction from the stepped pull tab tip, around the can end to retain the opened panel portion and pull tab on the can when opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: Van Dorn Company
    Inventors: Phillip E. Baumeyer, Karl O. Frentzel, William A. Kirk, Gary L. Manack