Patents by Inventor William J. Kapolas

William J. Kapolas 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: 20240270451
    Abstract: A composite closure which includes an improved sealing gasket material and shape. The Closure includes an end panel that is received in a circular plastic fitment having a central opening therein defined by an inwardly extending flange which over-lies in an outer periphery of the end panel and an integral skirt downwardly depending from the flange. The fitment includes an inwardly extending circumferential bead or bead segments which include a substantially non-deformable flat vertical surfaces that are substantially parallel to the axis of the closure and axially positioned to contact the radial outer-most edge of the end panel when the closure is fully applied to a container. The sealing gasket has the shape of an annulus with a particular cross-section and formed from a PVC free material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Mark Hewett, Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, Darren Neputy, Tian Liang, Dustin Vance
  • Patent number: 11999534
    Abstract: A composite closure which includes an improved sealing gasket material and shape. The Closure includes an end panel that is received in a circular plastic fitment having a central opening therein defined by an inwardly extending flange which over-lies in an outer periphery of the end panel and an integral skirt downwardly depending from the flange. The fitment includes an inwardly extending circumferential bead or bead segments which include a substantially non-deformable flat vertical surfaces that are substantially parallel to the axis of the closure and axially positioned to contact the radial outer-most edge of the end panel when the closure is fully applied to a container. The sealing gasket has the shape of an annulus with a particular cross-section and formed from a PVC free material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Mark Hewett, Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, Darren Neputy, Tian Liang, Dustin Vance
  • Publication number: 20220267054
    Abstract: A composite closure which includes an improved sealing gasket material and shape. The Closure includes an end panel that is received in a circular plastic fitment having a central opening therein defined by an inwardly extending flange which over-lies in an outer periphery of the end panel and an integral skirt downwardly depending from the flange. The fitment includes an inwardly extending circumferential bead or bead segments which include a substantially non-deformable flat vertical surfaces that are substantially parallel to the axis of the closure and axially positioned to contact the radial outer-most edge of the end panel when the closure is fully applied to a container. The sealing gasket has the shape of an annulus with a particular cross-section and formed from a PVC free material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Hewett, Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, Darren Neputy, Tian Liang, Dustin Vance
  • Publication number: 20190329939
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 10364070
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Publication number: 20180346205
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures. The closure is provided with a gasket configured to provide enhanced sealing properties when the closure is secured to a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, Mark Hewett, Bradley C. Kiss, William J. Kapolas
  • Publication number: 20170267414
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 9694946
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 9688451
    Abstract: A composite closure including a panel and an outer portion defining a recess into which the panel is received. The composite closure may be coupled with a container. The panel deflects downward toward the container when the composite closure is sealed with the container and the interior of the container is under vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SILGAN WHITE CAP LLC
    Inventor: William J. Kapolas
  • Publication number: 20160152384
    Abstract: A metal closure having multiple thread engaging lugs configured to decrease the pressure exerted by the closure lugs on the neck of a container is provided. In various embodiments, the metal closure comprises a top wall, a skirt extending downward from a peripheral edge of the top wall, a lower edge included on the skirt, and a plurality of lugs formed at the lower edge of the skirt. Pressure may be decreased by the closure having more lugs and/or larger lugs than other metal closures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Dennis Szczesniak
  • Patent number: 9221586
    Abstract: A closure that includes a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The skirt terminates in a plurality of spaced thread engagement flanges for engaging the thread of the neck of a container. The closure includes a polymer-filled channel which connects the top panel to the skirt. When engaged with the threaded neck of a container, the neck is forced into the channel and engaged by the polymer so that the channel and polymer provide lateral rigidity to the neck. This rigidity prevents the neck from deflecting from the forces resulting between the threads and thread engagement lugs when the forces therebetween are increased to the level required to adequately seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, James M. Taber, Stephen J. Kras
  • Publication number: 20150041474
    Abstract: A closure that includes a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The skirt terminates in a plurality of spaced thread engagement flanges for engaging the thread of the neck of a container. The closure includes a polymer-filled channel which connects the top panel to the skirt. When engaged with the threaded neck of a container, the neck is forced into the channel and engaged by the polymer so that the channel and polymer provide lateral rigidity to the neck. This rigidity prevents the neck from deflecting from the forces resulting between the threads and thread engagement lugs when the forces therebetween are increased to the level required to adequately seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, James M. Taber, Stephen J. Kras
  • Patent number: 8893906
    Abstract: A closure that includes a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The skirt terminates in a plurality of spaced thread engagement flanges for engaging the thread of the neck of a container. The closure includes a polymer-filled channel which connects the top panel to the skirt. When engaged with the threaded neck of a container, the neck is forced into the channel and engaged by the polymer so that the channel and polymer provide lateral rigidity to the neck. This rigidity prevents the neck from deflecting from the forces resulting between the threads and thread engagement lugs when the forces therebetween are increased to the level required to adequately seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, James M. Taber, Stephen J. Kras
  • Publication number: 20140263155
    Abstract: A closure that includes a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The skirt terminates in a plurality of spaced thread engagement flanges for engaging the thread of the neck of a container. The closure includes a polymer-filled channel which connects the top panel to the skirt. When engaged with the threaded neck of a container, the neck is forced into the channel and engaged by the polymer so that the channel and polymer provide lateral rigidity to the neck. This rigidity prevents the neck from deflecting from the forces resulting between the threads and thread engagement lugs when the forces therebetween are increased to the level required to adequately seal the closure to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Szczesniak, William J. Kapolas, James M. Taber, Stephen J. Kras
  • Publication number: 20130205718
    Abstract: A composite closure including a panel and an outer portion defining a recess into which the panel is received. The composite closure may be coupled with a container. The panel deflects downward toward the container when the composite closure is sealed with the container and the interior of the container is under vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: William J. Kapolas
  • Patent number: 4533059
    Abstract: This relates to a closure cap for containers wherein the end wall of the closure cap and more particularly an end panel thereof may be subjected to a vacuum which will determine the condition within the container. The closure cap involved is of a small diameter and is specifically intended for use in conjunction with neck finishes having diameters ranging from 27 mm to 43 mm. The end panel of the closure cap is of a specific configuration so that a small diameter central portion in the form of a button will evert under the existing vacuum conditions so as to present a substantially plain end panel when the vacuum condition exists within the container and which will show a popped up button when the vacuum has been relieved. The button will be indicative of product condition or possible tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Continental White Cap, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Kapolas, Peter A. Vercillo, Daniel Dowling, George S. Beatovic, Oscar N. Clifton, Ronald Gatz, Eugene W. Harford, Chester Wilczenski, John Dobbs, Ronald Kowalczyk, Derek G. Owen, John N. Banich
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    Patent number: D805900
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventor: William J. Kapolas
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    Patent number: D861485
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventor: William J. Kapolas
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    Patent number: D888555
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventor: William J. Kapolas
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    Patent number: D906813
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC
    Inventor: William J. Kapolas