Tuan Minh Nguyen
Engineers in Denver, CO

6460723, Oct 8, 2002

May 18, 2001

09/860740

Tuan A. Nguyen - Golden CO
Jess N. Bathurst - Fort Collins CO

Ball Corporation - Brommfield CO

B05D 628

220619, 220623, 220624

The present invention describes a beverage can end which utilizes less material and has an improved internal buckle strength based on the geometric configuration of an upper and lower chuck wall, inner panel wall and central panel, and having a unit depth to an outwardly concave countersink of at least about 0. 215 inches.

5950859, Sep 14, 1999

Mar 25, 1997

8/824244

Tuan A. Nguyen - Golden CO
Howard Curtis Chasteen - Golden CO
Michael Duane Richardson - Louisville CO

Ball Corporation - Broomfield CO

B65D 1740, B65D 1748, B65D 4140, B65D 5300

220276

Various embodiments of a sealing member disposed between a container body and an endpiece attached thereto are disclosed, as well as a method for disposing a sealing member between an endpiece and a container body. In one embodiment, a sealing member is disposed within a space between a container body flange and a corresponding portion of the sidewall of the container body, is disposed between a space between an endpiece flange and a corresponding portion of an endpiece wall, and is further disposed between the endpiece flange and container body flange. As such, the sealing member has a generally S-shaped configuration in cross-section. At least one and preferably two scores are incorporated on the sealing member to facilitate at least a partial removal of the endpiece from the container body so as to be able to access the contents of the container. In another embodiment, a sealing member is removed from between the endpiece and container body, and at least one mechanical purchase exists between the endpiece and container body to provide a "reclosability" feature.

6102237, Aug 15, 2000

Jul 22, 1999

9/358991

Tuan A. Nguyen - Golden CO
Howard Curtis Chasteen - Golden CO
Michael Duane Richardson - Louisville CO

Ball Corporation - Broomfield CO

B65D 1740, B65D 1748, B65D 4140, B65D 5300

220276

Various embodiments of a sealing member disposed between a container body and an endpiece attached thereto are disclosed, as well as a method for disposing a sealing member between an endpiece and a container body. In one embodiment, a sealing member is disposed within a space between a container body flange and a corresponding portion of the sidewall of the container body, is disposed between a space between an endpiece flange and a corresponding portion of an endpiece wall, and is further disposed between the endpiece flange and container body flange. As such, the sealing member has a generally S-shaped configuration in cross-section. At least one and preferably two scores are incorporated on the sealing member to facilitate at least a partial removal of the endpiece from the container body so as to be able to access the contents of the container. In another embodiment, a sealing member is removed from between the endpiece and container body, and at least one mechanical purchase exists between the endpiece and container body to provide a "reclosability" feature.

5685189, Nov 11, 1997

Jan 22, 1996

8/589602

Tuan A. Nguyen - Golden CO
Todd W. Farley - Arvada CO

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

B21D 5144

72348

An annular groove of a can end with a reduced radius is disclosed. In one embodiment, this is by a method and apparatus which reworks the can end to increase the strength of the can end by reducing the radius of the annular groove of the can end. This method includes the step of reworking the annular groove of the can end to reduce a magnitude of the annular groove from a first radius to a second radius by exerting an inwardly-directed force on at least part of the annular groove and relative to the annular groove and collapsing at least part of the annular groove inwardly relative to the annular groove. The apparatus used in this reworking may include inner and outer die surfaces, wherein at least one of which engages a lower portion of the annular groove, and a punch, opposing and axially movable relative to the annular groove and die surfaces, for engaging the annular groove to exert inwardly-directed forces on the lower portions of the annular groove to collapse the lower portions of the annular groove inwardly, toward the punch. The reduced radius may also be achieved in a blank and form station where an axially-directed force is exerted on a flange such that portions of the blank flex into engagement with a generally concave die surface.

4559801, Dec 24, 1985

Oct 26, 1983

6/545556

Eugene F. Smith - Morrison CO
Tuan A. Nguyen - Northglenn CO

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

B21D 2200

72348

Metal beverage closures of increased strength may be produced by a reform process which requires the initial production of a non-standard shell having a reduced countersink radius and reduced panel height. The shell is reformed, preferably in the conversion process, to industry standard dimensions, with the reduced countersink radius being maintained. To provide adequate material in the curl portion of the closure for seaming, the initial shell is provided with a reduced chuckwall diameter which is then reformed to industry standard dimensions.

5875914, Mar 2, 1999

Sep 12, 1997

8/928738

Tuan A. Nguyen - Golden CO
Howard Curtis Chasteen - Golden CO
Michael Duane Richardson - Louisville CO

Ball Corporation - Broomfield CO

B65D 4148, B65D 1740

220276

An open-ended container body is covered, preferably sealingly, by an endpiece/sealing-member. An annular flange of the endpiece/sealing-member is captured by crimping with a container body flange. The endpiece/sealing-member flange is coupled to the remainder of the endpiece/sealing-member by a tear strip which, upon removal, permits the remainder of the endpiece/sealing-member to be fully or partially removed from the open end of the container. The tearstrip is preferably integrally formed with the remainder of the endcap.

4641761, Feb 10, 1987

Sep 5, 1985

6/772837

Eugene F. Smith - Morrison CO
Tuan A. Nguyen - Northglenn CO

Ball Corporation - Muncie IN

B65D 808

220 66

Metal beverage closures of increased strength may be produced by a reform process which requires the initial production of a non-standard shell having a reduced countersink radius and reduced panel height. The shell is reformed, preferably in the conversion process, to industry standard dimensions, with the reduced countersink radius being maintained. To provide adequate material in the curl portion of the closure for seaming, the initial shell is provided with a reduced chuckwall diameter which is then reformed to industry standard dimensions.